Construction is due to begin on a £7 million walking and cycling scheme along the A259 between Hove and Portslade, starting with the stretch between Fourth Avenue and Hove Street.
Brighton & Hove City Council said in its 30 September announcement that work would begin in the coming weeks. The wider project extends west from Fourth Avenue to the city boundary, with a separated two-way cycle lane, new pavements and bus stops, and changes to crossings and junctions.
A construction compound will be established on the south side of the A259, opposite Westbourne Villas. The council says access to homes and businesses will be maintained throughout the works.
Hove to Portslade A259 works at a glance
| Route | Fourth Avenue, Hove, to the city’s western boundary |
|---|---|
| First construction section | Fourth Avenue to Hove Street |
| Expected start | Within weeks of the council’s 30 September announcement; no exact date given |
| Works compound | South side of the A259, opposite Westbourne Villas |
| Funding | £4.3 million from Active Travel England and £2.7 million from the council’s Local Transport Plan |
| Property access | The council says access to homes and businesses will be maintained |
What will change along the seafront?
The project combines cycling infrastructure with changes for pedestrians, bus passengers and people accessing properties along the coast road.
Alongside the separated two-way cycle lane, the scheme includes new pavements and bus stops, realigned crossings and junctions, and new loading bays and disabled parking bays. The council says the changes are intended to make journeys safer and more accessible.
The route has been developed in two phases: Fourth Avenue to Wharf Road, followed by Wharf Road to the western boundary. Construction will start on the shorter Fourth Avenue-to-Hove Street section within the first phase.
The council’s published consultation information identifies links to Hove Beach Park, the promenade, shops and seafront attractions among the scheme’s aims.
How will the works affect residents and businesses?
Contractors will contact occupants and owners before work takes place immediately outside their properties, according to the council’s announcement.
The September update does not give a detailed timetable for lane restrictions, temporary crossing arrangements or bus-stop changes during construction.
Brighton and Hove News reports that the wider project is expected to take 18 months. The council’s announcement does not provide an exact completion date.
Access during construction
Raise essential access needs with the project team
Residents and businesses with questions about deliveries, entrances or step-free access can contact [email protected]. To request project newsletters, include “A259 Hove to Portslade” in the subject line.
The council’s project page provides the route information and updates for people travelling through the area.
Funding and changes following consultation
The project’s £7 million funding package comprises £4.3 million from Active Travel England and £2.7 million from the council’s Local Transport Plan, allocated over three years.
The November 2025 cabinet report recorded 910 responses to the public consultation held that summer. It reported majority support among respondents for most proposals, with feedback prompting changes to crossings, parking and the separation between parked cars and cyclists.
A further decision on 13 May 2026 approved the traffic orders needed for construction, while dropping plans to relocate the Tandridge Road bus stop. Associated parking changes between Roman Road and Saxon Road were also removed from the proposals.
Traffic capacity was among the issues raised during consultation. In its July 2025 response, West Sussex County Council welcomed the proposed connection with its own route but requested more information about effects on junctions and bus services. Its officers also asked designers to consider how narrower sections would operate during future maintenance or utility works.
Separate consultation on extending the route towards Brighton
Residents can also comment on proposals to extend the scheme east from Fourth Avenue to West Street in Brighton. This is a separate section from the Hove-to-Portslade construction now being announced.
The eastward proposals include a separated two-way cycle lane, pavement and crossing improvements, loading and disabled parking bays, and changes around Hove Lawns, the Bandstand, the i360, Shelter Hall and Brighton Centre.
The consultation is open until Sunday 25 October 2026. People can comment on either or both of the proposed phases.
A further drop-in session is scheduled for Saturday 17 October, from 11am to 2pm, at the Edward VII Memorial near the Peace Statue on Hove seafront. The project team will be available to discuss the plans.
What about the route towards Shoreham?
West Sussex County Council is developing a separate walking and cycling scheme between the Brighton & Hove boundary and Adur Ferry Bridge in Shoreham.
Its September project update says preliminary design is complete, with a review this autumn before further design work. A construction start has not been confirmed and remains subject to funding.
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