Major boost for the Floral Clock

8.35.03pm GMT Tue 24th May 2005

Paul and David in Palmeira Square

Brunswick & Adelaide's Liberal Democrat Councillors Paul Elgood and David Watkins have welcomed a major investment programme to improve the local environment in their ward. If agreed at Thursday's Environment Committee, the improvements will see major road safety and traffic improvements around the Floral Clock.

The plans received initial concern from residents and traders due to the proposal for two way traffic flow to the north of the Square. Following extensive discussions between Council Officers and the Ward Councillors a compromise was reached to continue the existing traffic flow but still make the improvements.

Brunswick & Adelaide Councillor Paul Elgood said: 'When the proposals first came out there was public concern over the two way traffic flow north of the Floral Clock. Traders were also concerned at the potential loss of trade by re-routing the traffic. I am glad that the Council has listened to these concerns and this has been overcome. We've now got the road improvements without the controversy as the traffic flow will now be unaffected!

'These improvements will make the roads safer and the local environment greener and more pleasant. This is good news for residents.

'This is about ensuring that the Floral Clock is the jewel in Hove's crown.'

The £450,000 project sets out to achieve a number objectives which can be summarised as follows:

· Improving and introducing new pedestrian crossing facilities across Church Road and the side roads.

· Widening the footways to allow for ease of pedestrian movements.

· Reducing vehicle speeds and considering road safety issues.

· Improving facilities for bus passengers.

· Introducing measures to assist cyclists.

· The incorporation of environmental improvements.

The specific proposals include:

· The provision of new traffic signals at the junction of Church Road with Holland Road and Western Road, with pedestrian crossing facilities.

· To maintain the existing traffic management system around the Floral Clock and reduce the carriageway width to provide a single lane of running traffic in both directions.

· Footway widening on the north side of Church Road.

· Relay the existing granite setts on either side of the Floral Clock, to a width of 2m, at the same level as a new 2m wide footway to surround the Floral Clock. This will provide a 'useable' boundary/footway, 4m in width, around the Floral Clock.

· Provide two uncontrolled pedestrian crossing points to the Floral Clock. One on the north side, west of the junction with Palmeira Avenue and the second on the south side, to the east of the eastern entrance to Palmeira Square.

The report states that the scheme will cost in the region of £450,000 and work will commence in the autumn.