Member Article

Green light for £3m Portsmouth Road ‘mini-Holland’ scheme

A £3.26m scheme that aims to 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, including:

• 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

Councillor Richard Hudson, Lead Member for Capital, Projects and Contracts at Kingston Council, said: “Portsmouth Road is one of 10 major cycling projects we plan to deliver using funding from the Mayor of London’s mini-Holland Programme. Following many months of detailed planning and consultation, I’m pleased that work can now progress on the scheme.

“Just this week another person lost their life cycling on London’s roads. The many benefits of cycling are widely recognised, but we must do whatever we can to protect cyclists and make them feel safer while recognising the need to share space with other road users. Painting white lines on tarmac is not enough.

“It is only by delivering innovative highway schemes like the one planned for Portsmouth Road that we will make a real difference. And what’s more, we can do it without significantly impacting on traffic flow.

“The improvements to Portsmouth Road will also improve access to one of the jewels in Kingston’s crown, the Queen’s Promenade. This popular riverside walk linking Kingston and Surbiton will benefit from new access points and improved landscaping.”

The Portsmouth Road scheme has been developed in consultation with local residents, with over 700 people feeding into the design.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ellen Forster .