The following businesses and local residents oppose the Elm
Grove/Kings Trial Cycle Lanes which Portsmouth Council has
implemented using Covid Emergency powers and ask the Council to
remove the scheme as soon as possible.
We welcome the introduction of cycling routes, but such changes to
the road system must be made in a way which does not:
• Harm local businesses; by stopping customers from parking
nearby and receiving deliveries
• Reduce resident's car parking
• Cause traffic jams
• Make Cycling less safe
This ePetition ran from 23/11/2020 to 27/11/2020 and has now finished.
818 people signed this ePetition.
The Covid response board met to review the trial cycle lanes and the unanimous decision was made to stop the trial at the end of the three weeks, on 26 November. Feedback from all users of the route through Elm Grove and Kings Road, including cyclists, local residents and businesses has led to the decision not to extend the three-week trial of the segregated cycle lanes, with a commitment to reconsider how to deliver alternative improvements along this route, which has a history of traffic incidents and is seen as particularly hazardous to cyclists.
The survey feedback clearly demonstrated to the board the need to stop this scheme along with the feedback received from discussing the trial with businesses and emails. The survey showed that 67% of the over 1,400 respondents felt the trial was having a negative impact. The largest proportion of respondents reporting a negative impact are businesses (86%), then residents (72%), and finally visitors that are classified as people that travel to/through the area from other areas of Portsmouth or from outside the city (64%). In addition to this petition, the council also received over 100 emails during the trial of which the majority were negative. The feedback has clearly highlighted a number of areas where lessons can be learnt for creating future segregated cycle lanes in other areas of the city.
The council will continue to work with cyclists, local businesses, local residents, and other interested parties on what lessons can be learned from the trial and how improvements can be co-produced in the future. During this time work has also started with businesses to help them develop a trading association like ones that are found in other areas of the city.
Council contractors started the removal of the scheme during the evening of Thursday 26 November, which will be completed over the next few days. Once removed, people can again park in the area and the temporary loading bays will be removed. The additional cycle parking will remain as we hope that this continues to benefit people choosing to cycle to the area to shop.
For further information on the feedback we received, please
visit http://www.portsmouth.gov.uk/elmgrove