Innovative plans for Portsmouth Road will remove conflict between cyclists and cars, deliver benefits for all road users and enhance one of the jewels in Kingston’s crown: The Queen’s Promenade.
A £3.26 million scheme that will remove conflict between cyclists and cars on one of Kingston’s busiest roads whilst improving access to a popular riverside walk has been given the green light by local councillors.
Funded through the Mayor of London’s mini-Holland Programme, the Portsmouth Road scheme will see the implementation of a number of innovative ideas that will keep cyclists safe and keep traffic moving. These include:
- 600 metres of ‘fully-segregated’ two-way cycle track, providing complete separation between cyclists and motor vehicles
- 700 metres of ‘lightly-segregated’ cycle track to provide partial separation between cyclists and motor vehicles, potentially using ‘Armadillos’ or similar innovative products
- Shared cyclist and pedestrian crossing points
- ‘Floating’ bus stops that allow cyclists to safely negotiate buses when they are picking up or dropping off passengers
The Portsmouth Road scheme has been developed in consultation with local residents, with over 700 people feeding into the design. There was widespread support for the scheme and 57 per cent of respondents said they would be encouraged to cycle and/or walk more along Portsmouth Road following the work. Feedback on the initial design proposals showed a clear desire for more segregation between cyclists and motor vehicles. The designs were revised in light of that feedback and segregation has been increased from 20 per cent, to 85 per cent.
The revised scheme designs were approved by Members of Kingston Council’s Infrastructure, Projects and Contracts Committee on 25 June 2015. Work will now start on the detailed design stage and construction schedule. This schedule will take into account a number of factors, including reducing the impact of construction on local residents and businesses.
Further information about the Portsmouth Road scheme and Kingston Council’s ‘go cycle Programme’ is available – see go cycle.
Comments
I believe this is an excellent idea. I am a car driver and a cyclist and on some occasions I even walk. But for general "getting around" my bicycle transcends any other form of transport, it is fast silent green and doesn't cost anything, Well nothing much compared to the car. And as for public transport? Well let's not even go there. Air quality in London is exceedingly bad and I put this down to simply excessive use of combustion engines and in particular diesel engines. Which despite what car companies and their engineers are still trying to deny, Diesel engines still continue to be pretty unwholesome machines when it comes to their effect on the environment. So hence anything to further the cause of cycling, in my world at least, is a good thing. I do wish people would get the idea that cycling is good it just makes so much sense ..msure if you're going along distance take the car .. around town ?,just forget it surely it makes sense just jump on a bike .. really is a no-brainer. If you can't cycle or don't want to then just walk what the hell is the point in dragging half a ton of metal around everywhere?
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