Tim Ridgway’s Latest News: This week’s headlines from across the city
Tour de force
The Tour of Britain cycle race is coming to Brighton in September – for the first time in 24 years. Stage seven of the eight-day race will end in Madeira Drive on Brighton seafront after competitors have climbed Ditchling Beacon on their way from the start in Camberley, Surrey. The stage is due to take place on Saturday 13 September, passing through Horsham, Haywards Heath, Uckfield, Eastbourne and Newhaven on its way to Brighton.
The final route from Camberley to Brighton will be published in the summer. The day after the Brighton stage, the tour ends in London. The whole eight-day tour starts in Liverpool this year. Race director Mick Bennett said: “We are delighted to be bringing the Tour of Britain to Sussex and Brighton for the first time in the race’s modern history”.
The event was revived in 2004 five years after last being held. It was known for many years as the Milk Race and the Kellogg’s Tour. Mr Bennett added: “While the finish in Brighton is definitely one for the sprinters, the South Downs and Ditchling Beacon in the closing kilometres will pose a real challenge to them and set up what I am sure will be a fantastic finish on the seafront”.
Star sign
X Factor finalist Lucy Spraggan visited Hamilton Lodge deaf school in Brighton last week. The 22-year-old singer songwriter is to learn sign language at the school in Walpole Road, Brighton. She is also keen to help students at the school with songwriting and learning to play music.
The future’s bright
Dozens of young people are set for a brighter future after attending the Brighton Your Future event. Held at Brighton Dome’s Corn Exchange last week, it saw those under 25 offered training, skills and employment opportunities. A range of firms and organisations were present – as well as our own Latest TV cameras.
To see a report on what went on, visit www.thelatest.tv.
A fare price?
Bus fares in Brighton and Hove are on the rise again – this time by 10p for a standard adult fare. The changes introduced by Brighton and Hove Bus Company will come into force on April 13. With cheaper tariffs on offer to those who buy tickets in advance or in digital forms, such as mobile phones, the firm is pushing people away from buying tickets on the bus. But with fuel prices on the decrease, some have questioned if the firm needs to do this in such straightened times.
Whether or not the decision will halt the year-on-year rise in bus passenger numbers in the city – which last year came to nearly 50 million – this observer would say is extremely unlikely.
Forget-me-nots
“Don’t forget Hove and Portslade.” That is the message from politicians on the west part of the city. With money being poured into traditional Brighton shopping areas like London and Lewes Roads, those out west are concerned they are being overlooked. With the number of empty shopfronts in streets such as Boundary Road seemingly on the increase, councillors representing these areas are asking when they will receive some similar TLC.
“When will Hove and Portslade receive some TLC?”
Fool’s gold
And finally, an apology. In the last edition of to magazine, I wrote that officials are considering renaming the Brighton’s London Road as City Boulevard in a bid to bring more business to the area. Well, for those with worried looks on your faces, I can now officially tell you it was an April’s fool. And to those of you who dismissed it – please keep on reading.
