Andy Garth: Rottingdean traffic

Topical time this week… Rottingdean and its traffic! I have lived in the Village and now drive through it (Coast Road only) every day to and from work, and see the chaos that sometimes ensues when lorries and vans and buses and cars are all vying to get themselves to and from everywhere via the High Street.

The first picture should be partially recognisable as the little single storey shops survive, but the bank building was demolished in the 1930s to start what was going to be a widening of the Coast Road through Rottingdean – as the new suburb of Saltdean needed better road access.

Seemed a good idea at the time, but after knocking down this building and the houses opposite the White Horse Hotel, all we got was a car park and no real progress to ease the bottle neck!

The photo of the map is the proposed 1932 Brighton, Hove & District Plan, which shows a proposed access road to the west of the village running off the seafront on the edge of the now unused Windmill pitch and putt golf course, and reconnecting with Falmer Road at what looks like close to the Village Cricket ground.

As usual, it’s a vision that never transpired therefore leaving the council with very few options, most of which will upset many.

Rant over, as next week I will be presenting a selection of lots from our last auction sale of the year.

Brighton and Hove Stuff, 28 Western Road, Hove
Brightonandhovestuff@gmail.com