Local Streets Transformed To Give More Space For Cyclists And Walkers
Work is on-going in £490,000 scheme to avoid increase in use of cars
Pic courtesy of @HaydonsNorth
Work is ongoing in and around Wimbledon to transform a number local streets to provide more space for residents to take journeys safely by foot or bike as businesses and schools reopen.
Merton Council says it has taken into account input from residents and groups, who have contributed hundreds of ideas and suggestions for projects across the borough.
As the borough recovers the council says it wants to avoid a huge rise in car driving which will increase air pollution and lead to gridlock.
Pop-up cycle lanes and pavement widening schemes are being installed across the borough to help residents maintain social distancing and to improve road safety. Pavements are being extended into the road at some of the busiest parts of the borough such as town centres and local shopping parades, to help support local businesses as they begin to reopen today.
Work has already been completed for a one-way pedestrian route on Ashcombe Bridge Road in Wimbledon and for the pavement widening scheme on Wimbledon Bridge. A segregated cycle lane was created on both sides of Haydons Bridge Road in Wimbledon last week.
Schemes to widen the pavements along Merton High Street, Mitcham Fair Green, Worple Road in Wimbledon and Wimbledon Village are to take place later this month.
Other emergency works scheduled up until the end of July include segregated cycle lanes in London Road in Mitcham, Merton High Street as well as Bushey Road and Plough Lane, both in Wimbledon. Work will also create more secured and standard cycle parking by stations throughout July and August to meet the demand.
Longer term proposals to support a major shift of road use towards walking and cycling throughout the borough include strategic cycle routes and low traffic neighbourhoods. Bids are being submitted to the Department for Transport(DfT) and Transport for London (TfL) and the delivery of the long term plans depend upon the success of these.
The Cabinet member for Regeneration, Housing and Transport, Councillor Martin Whelton, said: “Our emergency transport response to Covid 19 puts in place measures to encourage people to undertake active travel by walking or cycling instead of using their cars. We are reusing road space as we want to make it safer and easier for residents to take more journeys by foot or bike
“The Covid-19 pandemic has transformed how we live our lives, and it is vital that we continue to maintain social distancing while travelling around as businesses and retail in Merton reopen. It has also enabled us to create a unique opportunity to build upon our work to improve air quality and promote healthy active travel in Merton.”
“We would like to thank all the residents, groups and organisations who contributed feedback on our transport plans. We received over 300 suggestions which helped shape our plans for our emergency works and our funding bids to take account of unprecedented demand for walking and cycling.”
The estimated cost of delivering the programme for the next six months is £490,000.
June 19, 2020