Hove red route "catastrophic" for disabled people
There's concerns plans to ban stopping and parking on Western Road will reduce accessibility
Last updated 29th Sep 2026
Campaigners say a ban on parking and stopping on a busy Hove shopping street will be 'catastrophic' for disabled people.
There's concerns plans for a red route on Western Road will stop them being able to access nearby shops, as they won't be able to stop nearby.
It's after councillors were told this week that existing routes on London Road and Lewes road are already making parking more difficult.
Catherine Lane, who cares for her disabled dad, is spearheading local opposition to the plan, which is set to be scrutinised next week:
"The route means that disabled people lose the curbside access that many of them just absolutely rely on to be able to go to the shops, to be able to go to cafes, to be able to join their family for lunch to be able to go to a pharmacist, a doctor, an optician," she explained.
"In effect, what it means is that if life is too difficult for their carers or for them to get out on their own, if they don't have a carer, they just end up being isolated and having to stay indoors.
"That's a really sad situation."
The route is hoped to reduce congestion, improve bus reliability and make the space between Montpelier and Holland Road safer.
Brighton and Hove City Council said "accessibility has been a major consideration throughout the design process".
It shared it was committed to monitoring the route, but it would also introduce new disabled parking bays along the road, including close to healthcare facilities, and said blue badge holders and disabled passengers can still be dropped off and picked up there.
It added that the proposals are designed to address illegal parking which can make it harder for blue badge holders to access the pavement safely.