Brighton closes roads for exercise

_On the Runner’s World UK website Ben Hobson reports:_ Brighton and Hove City Council have set a precedent for other UK towns and cities by closing off a major road to allow local people to get their daily exercise in safety (whilst adhering to social distancing rules)

The road to the east of the Palace Pier, Madeira Drive, will be closed to traffic from 08.00–20.00 every day starting from Monday 20 April.

Councillor Anne Pissaridou, chair of the city’s environment, transport and sustainability committee, said: “Madeira Drive is a long, wide road right by the seafront and will create an extra safe open space for local people in the area to use for their daily walk or bike ride. It will provide a traffic-free place for the many residents in that area who do not have access to a garden. I would also ask that cyclists and pedestrians respect each other’s space and safety in this shared area.

“We are considering other locations to see if we can extend this to other roads in the city."

Manchester and Hackney councils have also been reported as considering such a move.