Brighton exploring ‘car-free’ city centre by 2023

Brighton & Hove City councillors have agreed to explore the possibility of the city becoming ‘car-free’ by 2023.

Members of the council’s Environment, Transport and Sustainability Committee last week requested a report that explores the feasibility and costs of developing a car-free city that will be presented to them in October 2020. The report will also look at costs and practicalities of any project or any possible exemptions.

Anne Pissaridou, chair of the committee, said: “We were elected on a manifesto pledge to make our city carbon neutral by 2030. We have declared a climate emergency and are making progress on decarbonisation. But, we must take major steps to reach our ambitious target, so we are proud to work cross-party and champion a car free city centre.

“Crucially though, this will be for the climate assembly to decide, as our residents must lead on how we combat the climate crisis. We will continue to listen to and work with residents, stakeholders and campaign groups like Extinction Rebellion – as we must all come together to save the planet and the work starts at home.”

Brighton & Hove was one of the first councils to declare a climate emergency and support the youth climate strikes, welcoming its first accredited climate change teacher in the city in September 2019. The council also became the first in the UK to have buses that can run in zero-emissions mode whenever they go through the city centre. These 30 new extended range hybrid electric buses are now running in zero-emissions mode in the city’s Ultra Low Emissions Zone.