Calls made to 'act quickly ' to transform Portsmouth into a cyclist and pedestrian friendly city

The Pompey Street Space campaign is asking the city council and the wider community to grab the 'opportunity' afforded by lockdown to improve pavements and cycle lanes as well as making some roads for residents only as soon as possible.

It comes as the council announced it was looking into measures to make some roads in the south of the city more cycle friendly during lockdown, as well as creating a new cycle lane along Eastern Road.

One of the campaigners behind Pompey Street Space, Nick Sebley, said: ‘We welcome the "quick wins" that the council has announced in the south of the city and the new cycle lane on the Eastern Road.

'However, the lockdown is easing and traffic numbers rising day by day. We are therefore asking for a city-wide network of priority cycle streets so that people in the north of Portsmouth can also get to work safely and quickly by bike.'

According to data from Portsmouth City Council the city has seen a 125 per cent increase in cycling since lockdown.

It has also recorded a significant drop in car usage with a 60 per cent reduction on Eastern Road, 40 per cent on the M275 and 30 per cent on Copnor Road.

This correlates with the authority's readings of air pollution. Since lockdown nitrous dioxide (NO2) levels have decreased by an average of 34.5 per cent in Burrfields Road, 33 per cent in Mile End Road and 41 per cent in London Road.

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Mr Sebley added: 'A return to normal traffic levels for Portsmouth would mean going back to being the fourth most congested city, with harmful levels of air pollution, and some of the most dangerous roads for cyclists in the country.

'Instead, we have an opportunity to create a city that is greener, healthier and more prosperous: by prioritising cyclists and pedestrians over cars. '

As part of the network the campaign is suggesting the use of modal filters - such as planters or bollards - to slow traffic down and encourage certain roads to be used by residents only to avoid people using them as 'rat runs.'

Rachel Hudson, co-ordinator for Portsmouth Friends of the Earth which is backing the campaign, said: 'Obviously we are all concerned about social distancing and keeping people safe. We can also see there's an opportunity for change for the better for the future.

'The key is to act quickly before traffic starts to build up again by using small, cheap measures such as paint, traffic cones and planters. We don't want to lose this chance.'

There were hopes that the measures could enable more people to take up cycling.

Jon Spencer, a member of the Pompey Cycle Forum, said: 'Portsmouth for years has been in the unenviable position of having the worst rate per capita of serious injuries and fatalities to cyclists. This should be a city that's great for cycling - it's by the sea, it's compact and flat.'

Chairman of the forum, Ian Saunders, agreed. 'Encouraging people to cycle isn't enough,' he said.

'We need to enable them by giving them the facilities like protected lanes and consistent surfaces.

'We want to get those people who don't cycle very much out on their bikes in a way that makes them feel safe.'

To get involved you can sign and leave comments on the Pompey Street Space petition at actionnetwork.org/petitions/pompeystreetspace. You can also follow the project on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter by searching Pompey Street Space.

Traffic boss calls for public to help drive change

'THE more support we get from the public the more we can do' - Portsmouth City Council's transport boss called for the community to help make the changes.

Councillor Lynne Stagg welcomed the aims of the Pompey Street Space campaign but explained it needs public backing. 'I totally support what they are doing and I am more than happy to work with them,' she said.

'People always say the council needs to do things but they need to work with us too. We've seen how residents have come together to support the Hive - this could be a similar thing.

'For example we want to integrate this with the work we've done on play streets. There was real community involvement in setting that up.

'We want to hear ideas from the public because they might think of simple things we can do that we haven't. The more support we get from the public the more we can do.'

Following the announcement of an immediate a £250m fund from government to improve cycling and walking nationwide, which is part of a larger £2bn project, the council had been looking into ways to restrict car use on some roads in the south of the city including Isambard Brunel Road.

Cllr Stagg said: 'These are "quick wins." One of the problems with transport is you have lots of logistics to sort out and health and safety checks, you can't just do things.

'We do want to do things as quickly as possible. We are working as fast as we possibly can.'

Nick Sebley added: ‘We recognise that the council is facing increased social care costs alongside reduced income from business rates and parking fees.

'This is why we are offering to work with them to identify priority cycle and pedestrian routes through the city, provide volunteers to help put in this network of safe streets, and build support in the community for the changes that need to happen.'

National picture

COUNCILS across the UK are looking at what can be done to make streets more cycle and pedestrian friendly following a funding announcement from government.

As part of a £2bn investment into travel in the country, a £250m emergency active travel fund was revealed last weekend with the intention of creating pop-up bike lanes, wider pavements, safer junctions, and cycle and bus-only corridors.

Transport secretary Grant Shapps said: 'During this crisis, millions of people have discovered cycling - whether for exercise or as a means of safe, socially-distanced transport.

'We know cars will continue to remain vital for many, but as we look to the future we must build a better country with greener travel habits, cleaner air and healthier communities.'

An updated cycling and walking investment strategy is also due to be launched by the prime minister this summer, with the aim to double cycling and increase walking by 2025.