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Cycle ban looks set to be lifted
Cyclists look set to be allowed to ride on the promenade at Southsea seafront.
The public has voted overwhelmingly in favour of controversial plans to split the promenade with a painted line to create a cycle lane and space for walkers.
Now council leaders plan a trial later in the year.
Cllr Lynne Stagg, in charge of traffic and transport at the city council, said: 'A consultation has been done and it has come out in favour of cycling on the seafront.
'Now it is about looking at the logistics and engineering. Nothing is set in stone yet.'
At the moment cycling is banned on the promenade. But last year the council launched a consultation setting out four options to improve facilities for bike-lovers.
More than 3,000 people voted in favour of a shared route, with less than 1,000 in favour of each of the other options.
John Holland, chairman of Portsmouth Cycle Forum, said: 'At the moment a lot of cyclists do not ride along the seafront at all because it is too dangerous. So there has to be an option to provide cycling on the seafront somewhere.
'The seafront is for everyone to use .'
But the result has sparked concerns from pedestrians.
Muriel Deacon, president of Portsmouth Pensioners' Association, said: 'This is not just about older people – I fear for young families and for partially sighted people. The seafront is for them.
'Cyclists should be on the road.'
OPTIONS THAT WERE OFFERED
Portsmouth City Council launched its consultation over seafront cycling options last year. It set out four different options.
They were:
> Shared use of the promenade all year round with separate areas for cyclists and pedestrians.
> Cyclists only allowed on the promenade between South Parade Pier and Clarence Pier out of season, but allowed at the Eastney end all year round.
> Improve facilities on the road, including changing parking arrangements to create wider lanes.
> Create a new cycle route completely.
Option one was the most popular.
>> Vote in our latest web poll.
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Weather for Portsmouth
Saturday 11 February 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: -4 C to 4 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 3 C to 7 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
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