We believe Brighton & Hove City Council may have acted unlawfully. So do 3,800 locals. 

In March 2025, Brighton & Hove City Council Cabinet approved a Red Route on Western Road before consulting with the local community. We believe that the way in which the Council is justifying the scheme is misleading and unsubstantiated.

Traders, residents, disabled people and local businesses were presented with a consultation only after the decision had been made - with no option to reject the scheme. 

They were not listened to. This is shockingly undemocratic. 

The future of Western Road is at stake 

The Red Route will ban stopping along most of Western Road, enforced by cameras and £70 fines. Customers won't be able to stop outside shops, deliveries will become far harder, traffic and parking will be diverted into residential streets, making parking for residents problematic. And, crucially, Blue Badge holders - and their carers - will lose access to much of the road.

Our high street will be massively affected. 

Business owners in Lewes Road and London Road say the impact of Red Routes has been ‘catastrophic’. 

 Now, on Western Road, family businesses face the same future with potential loss of jobs and empty shops leaving lasting damage to our community. 

For many disabled and elderly people, this isn't reduced access - it's no meaningful access at all.

 Why we're going to court

We never wanted a legal fight.

We took part in the consultation, attended meetings, wrote to councillors, requested evidence and asked the council to reconsider. Nothing changed. Information wasn’t disclosed

 After taking specialist legal advice, we believe the council may have acted unlawfully.

 A Judicial Review is about whether the council followed the law before making a decision with such serious consequences.

We believe it did not.

 Why we need your help now

This is our last chance.

The Experimental Traffic Order has been announced in the press. If it goes ahead the cameras and fines are due this autumn. Once the red lines are painted and enforcement begins, the damage may be irreversible. 

 The law gives us only weeks, not months, to challenge. 

We're crowdfunding because residents and small businesses should not have to carry the cost of holding public bodies to account. But without your support, we cannot bring this challenge.

 Every donation helps us fight for a fair process, protect disabled access and give Western Road the chance it deserves.

 Please help us keep Western Road alive.