‘Brighton still aims to be carbon neutral by 2030’
The motor and manufacturing industry are investing heavily in electric vehicles to support decarbonisation of the UK’s road transport. But they know that in order for people to want to buy EVs they need government backing. This includes public investment in EV infrastructure, incentives for consumers and a clear and consistent message on the path to net zero.
The Prime Minister says that it should be the consumer that makes the choice about when to move away from petrol and diesel vehicles. But politics[1] is about leadership, not tickling the tummies of climate change deniers.
Labour’s shadow environment secretary Steve Reed has committed that a future Labour government will reinstate the original 2030 deadline for a ban on new petrol and diesel vehicles. Labour has also committed to making Britain a clean energy superpower, setting out our ambition for the country and plan to accelerate to net zero.
In Brighton[2] and Hove we are committed to becoming a carbon neutral city by 2030. We recognise that transport decarbonisation is key to achieving this, so I want to update residents on how we are approaching that and what we have done since taking over the administration in May.
Despite the government’s announcement we are committed to further expanding are electric vehicle charging network. The council has already installed more than 350 electric vehicle charge points on the city’s streets, along with three rapid charge hubs for taxis. All the charge points are experiencing an increase in use year on year and Brighton is now one of the top five cities in the UK for electric vehicle infrastructure.
Through our Bus Service Improvement Plan we are also working to deliver better bus services and improve roads to enhance bus routes and make public transport more accessible for both residents and visitors.
The hallmark of the last Green administration was rushed and ill-considered active travel schemes. Some would have made it harder for residents to travel around their neighbourhoods and many negatively affected access for our disabled residents and others with access needs.
That’s why, when we were elected, we paused transport schemes while we took time to review their design and impact and ensure high quality active travel schemes are being pursued that don’t have inadvertent or counterproductive outcomes. This was the right thing to do given the mess we inherited from the Greens.
However, we will move forward with redesigned and well thought-through schemes as soon as we possibly can. This is important not only to achieving carbon neutrality but also to improving our city’s air quality. From our improved air quality monitoring data network, we know that air quality data is going in the wrong direction in many parts of our city and has been for the last three years or so, including through the entirety of the Green administration.
So we are clear that our approach will be evidence-led and consider the impact of transport schemes on the whole community.
I am pleased to say that following review, we are now in a position to move forward with phase one of the A23 active travel scheme. The improvements to the A23[3] will make it easier and safer and a more attractive environment for people to walk, cycle and wheel through this busy part of the city. Providing an improved, segregated cycle lane will make it safer and clearer for buses and cars. The scheme is set to be approved by the transport and sustainability committee next week.
The same committee will be asked to completely stop the Hanover and Tarner Low Traffic Neighbourhood. We have reviewed the responses from the public consultation on the LTN proposal and the scheme was thoroughly rejected. What has become clear is there are much-needed safety improvements that would benefit the community, including safer crossings and junctions.
We are also starting consultation on three new School Streets schemes this autumn and within the next few weeks, will be welcoming more bikes to the Beryl BTN Bike scheme, bringing a total of 780, including 468 e-bikes and 312 pedal bikes, for residents and visitors to use to get about the city.