Southfields Cycling Consultation Deadline Looms


Survey on a contraflow trial scheme closes at end of month

People are being reminded that they have until the end of the month to comment on a cycling contraflow trial scheme as part of the ongoing public consultation.

The consultation will draw to a close on October 31 and until then people can register their views and have their say on whether the trial scheme should be made permanent or abandoned.

The pilot scheme, which began in June, aims to provide cyclists with a safe and convenient short cut between Garratt Lane and King George’s Park. It provides a cycling contraflow system in Furmage Street and Twilley Street, which are both one way to all other forms of traffic but currently allow cyclists to travel safely in both directions.

The change is enabling cyclists to avoid Garratt Lane’s busy junction with Kimber Road and offers a convenient short cut between Garratt Lane and cycle routes in King George’s Park.

To enhance safety levels, the scheme has altered signage and road markings, changes to traffic islands, the introduction of double yellow lines on corners to improve visibility and the introduction of “armadillos” on the carriageway surface to physically mark out the new cycle lanes.

The decision to proceed with the pilot scheme followed an earlier round of public consultation and successful schemes in other parts of the borough. A decision now needs to be reached on whether to make these changes permanent.

Transport spokesman Cllr Paul Ellis said: “It’s important people tell us what they think of these changes and whether they think the existing contraflow should be made into a permanent feature.

“The scheme helps cyclists avoid the junction where Garratt Lane meets Kimber Road and is helping to make their journeys safer at this location. It is part of a wider package of measures designed to encourage people to take to two wheeled travel.

“There are clear and obvious health and air quality benefits if we can get more residents to take up this non-polluting form of transport. Introducing convenient short-cuts for cyclists on quieter roads with low traffic volumes is just one of the ways we are encouraging higher levels of bike travel in the borough.”

 

October 16, 2019