Brighton & Hove has once again been recognised as a front-runner in improving transport in the whole of Europe, second only to Funchal on the island of Madeira . This is the second year running that Brighton and Hove has been named runner up City of the Year by CIVITAS - no other city in the UK has been similarly awarded.
CIVITAS, an EU organisation that brings together cities across Europe to look at new ideas and initiatives on urban transport, cited the range of excellent transport measures in the city, such as real-time bus information, smartphone ticketing and cycling schemes such as the Old Shoreham Road cycle lane, as outstanding examples that helped secure the award.
Also highlighted was the city’s travel planning initiatives to encourage schools, businesses and individuals to use more eco-friendly ways to get around, including a trial of electric bikes.
Councillor Ian Davey , Lead Member for Transport, who received the honour on behalf of the city council, said:
“I’m really pleased that we’ve been recognised again on an international level for the work the city’s been doing to help residents, businesses and visitors get around.
“Brighton and Hove was never designed for the volume of traffic it currently experiences, so we need to look at all sorts of ways to keep the city moving, and combat persistent problems of poor air quality in the city centre. We are keen to make our streets more people friendly so that everyone can enjoy visiting and living in Brighton and Hove, and there is still much to be done.”
Green Party Local Transport Spokesperson, Caroline Russell, commented: "Towns and Cities across the UK should look to Brighton for inspiration: the range of measures introduced to tackle vehicle domination of the public realm and provide active alternatives to local car-trips makes Brighton a more liveable and healthy city."
The Old Shoreham Road scheme has also been recognised in the National transport awards where the city has been shortlisted in the ‘Achievements in Cycling’ category