Millions of pounds will be invested into improving road safety and environmental protections in Kingston, the council announced today.

The news followed a meeting of Kingston Borough Council’s Environment and Sustainable Transport Committee (EAST) yesterday (February 12).

Kingston’s Local Implementation Plan (LIP) is one part of the proposals and was agreed at EAST on 12 February.

The proposals approved by the council yesterday indicate that the body will spend £1.3 million per year for the next 3 years funded by Transport for London (TfL). In the same meeting the council also approved £1.75million worth of investment for roads and pavements in the borough over the next 12 months.

Councillor Hilary Gander, portfolio holder for EAST, said: “Our plans outline a commitment to improving transport options for the community in Kingston and to reducing the negative impacts of travel on our borough.

"It sets out the council's proposals to improve our transport, environment and streets, and how they will contribute towards the delivery of the Mayor of London's new Transport Strategy (MTS) and Healthy Streets agenda.

“By delivering these improvements, we are determined that we will make Kingston a better place for everyone.”

In the agenda document from the committee posted online by the council, the body resolves to marry these existing funds with its drive to improve more “active transport” usage in the borough, such as cycling through the highly popular “Go Cycle” scheme.

The agenda document said: “These schemes will need to focus on encouraging more active travel, such as walking, cycling and using public transport, and so contribute to people living more active and healthier lives. In addition to these health benefits, evidence shows that more active travel will reduce air and noise pollution, help combat social isolation, ease congestion, improve safety and bring economic benefits to businesses.”

As the Surrey Comet reported last week, following the launch of the Go Cycle scheme many more residents in Kingston are choosing to cycle regularly, with year on year increases since 2014 reported in a recent council study.

The council confirmed that the new funds would be in addition to the existing £32.7million Go Cycle programme, with five schemes currently under construction.

The full agenda document from Tuesday’s committee meeting can be found here: https://moderngov.kingston.gov.uk/documents/g8617/Public%20reports%20pack%20Tuesday%2012-Feb-2019%2019.30%20Environment%20and%20Sustainable%20Transport%20Committee.pdf?T=10