Two Key Roads To Be Permanently Pedestrianised
Vehicles will be banned from Old York Road and Battersea High Street
Old York Road. Picture: Google Streetview
Two busy roads in Wandsworth borough are to be shut off to vehicles, stopping “great big buses” chasing cyclists down streets.
Battersea High Street and Old York Road will become pedestrianised permanently, only allowing walkers and cyclists down.
It comes after Wandsworth Council voted unanimously to pedestrianise both roads after a series of successful trials.
As part of a transport action plan developed during the Covid pandemic, some streets were considered for pedestrianisation to support local businesses in the area and increase footfall.
In November 2020, Battersea High Street was temporarily pedestrianised to support businesses and to address anti-social behaviour concerns of drinking, noise, littering and taxis from residents.
The Old York Road pedestrianisation trial started on the April 12, 2021 and used planters to “redefine available highway space to support local businesses”, according to the council.
Conservative councillor John Locker said in Wandsworth Council’s strategic planning and transportation overview and scrutiny committee on 11 November that Old York Road feels “safer”.
He added, “I cycled along it this evening and can just see the change and the buzz that the place now has.
“Obviously it’s great for businesses that there’s places where people can sit out and dine out but it also feels so much safer than when I used to cycle down it.
“It’s quite a narrow road and you would have these great big buses following you down with lots of turns and junctions.
“So I think this will encourage active travel and I think this is an exemplary scheme actually. I’m really pleased with it.”
James Mayer - Local Democracy Reporter
November 17, 2021