The Upper Lewes Road seems to be used as a racetrack by cars, which speed along this road making it feel unsafe for cyclists. Various suggestions have been made to slow this traffic, one being to put a speed camera halfway along its length, another to build chicanes so that cars have to give way to one another.

There are virtually no cycle parking facilities in the area; hence every available lamppost has bicycles attached. Some of the interconnecting roads between Lewes and Upper Lewes Road are very narrow and these bikes can block the pavements. Generally in Brighton I have noticed that not much effort is made to remove
cycles that appear permanently attached to whatever cycle parking facilities there are; another frustration for us cyclists.

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In October 2008 the Government introduced a strong Climate Change Law: one that sets annual targets and a tough overall emissions reduction target of 80%, which incorporates aviation and shipping emissions. Now we must turn the promised cuts in CO2 into reality – by implementing the law locally with communities and local authorities.

The impact of the current economic climate is having a negative effect on households, and small as well as big business. It would be easy with the financial system crash and credit crunch to dismiss the impact of climate change as not important. But according to Friends of the Earth, climate change will have a big impact on the real economy as well as the environment.

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Pick up a bargain at St Vincent’s, which opened last September and is currently the only charity shop in the Triangle area. The St Vincent de Paul Society supports the elderly, ill and imprisoned, and here in Brighton it hosts soup runs and furniture schemes for the homeless.

The shop welcomes donations (though only during opening hours) and is always on the lookout for volunteers. With some fabulous window displays, a mobile phone recycling point, and lots of room to browse through clothes, music, games, books and bric-a-brac, it’s an exciting new addition to our streets. “We’re the Selfridges of Lewes Road”, says manager Ursula. St Vincent’s is next to Spar on Lewes Road, and is open 10am-5pm Monday to Saturday.