Cycling groups have said they are “very impressed” after being given a sneak peek at Kingston’s revised Portsmouth Road mini-Holland proposal.
And the second phase – a cycling greenway between New Malden and Raynes Park – has also been met with approval. The latest plans will go public on Tuesday, March 17.
The original drawings for Portsmouth Road showed a two-way cycle path segregated from cars by a raised kerb
Public consultation on the Portsmouth Road scheme closed on February 18 and the drawings were criticised by motorists and cyclists for the lack of segregation and space given to both groups.
Original plans showed 2m cycle lanes running down each side of the road, with a 6m lane in the middle for the two-way traffic.
The white lane in the middle of the road had been removed in an attempt to slow down traffic.
Kingston Cycling were shown the revised plans on Saturday and, although sworn to secrecy until they go public, said they were a vast improvement on the original design.
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Nick Davis, of Kingston Cycling, said: “I don’t want to say much until the plans go public, but Kingston Council seems to be good at listening to our concerns.”
The group also saw basic plans for the New Malden greenway scheme, that runs from New Malden station to Raynes Park station, at a workshop on Saturday, March 8.
Mr Davis said: “The plans are very basic at the moment, as it is at such an early stage, but what we have seen so far we are impressed with.
“There are, however, still questions that need to be asked about the plan.
“How will the routes join up at either end, for example?
“They had some good ideas in the workshop and it looks like it could be really good.”
The next phase of the scheme will be the New Malden greenway towards Raynes Park
Liberal Democrat Councillor Hilary Gander, a keen cyclist, said: “It’s hugely improved and we’re really pleased the administration has listened to objections from Kingston Cycling Campaign.
“Now we have lots more segregation, proper segregation. We have an exciting two-way segregated path on the riverside.”
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