Names on the buses

831 John Johnson

Connections with Brighton and Hove : Many people in Brighton know that John Nash was the architect largely responsible for designing the Royal Pavilion. But few could name the man behind the building of the Clock Tower which marks the centre of the city. John Johnson was the architect and tantalising little is known about him. To add to the problems, there were two other architects of the same name. He designed many churches in London and is also as responsible for much of Alexandra Palace, famous for its role in early broadcasting history. The Clock Tower in Brighton was designed to celebrate the golden jubilee of Queen Victoria in 1887 but was a year late. The money came from an advertising agent called John Willing. Its ornate design was often criticised during much of the last century and there were many calls for it to be demolished. But it survived them all and was restored to mark the Millennium. John Johnson would probably be pleased to find out that Brighton has learned to love the Clock Tower after all.

831 Mercedes Streetdeck on Route 7 - carried name since November 2017.