Elm Grove cycle lane: Concerns raised over loss of parking in Southsea if plan is approved

Members of the public were given the chance to find out more about a proposed fully segregated bike lane along Elm Grove and Kings Road in Southsea that will remove on-street parking.

If approved the lane, which will be segregated from the road by cylindrical traffic 'wands', could be put in place on October 19 for a six week period.

Two engagement sessions were held in the former Debenhams store in Palmerston road for residents to attend via pre-booked sessions.

One 70-year-old resident of nearby Yarborough Road, who did not want to be named, said: 'I am vehemently opposed to the bike lane because all the cars that currently park along the road and those visiting shops will spill out into the surrounding streets. We will get an unacceptable number of cars in our road especially since Kings Road has a lot of residential parking on it.

'I have yet to see any evidence of need for a cycle motorway.'

And an Old Portsmouth resident, who also did not want to be named, added: 'This scheme is against the elderly and disabled people. A lot of parking down that road will be used by cars taking elderly or disabled people there to shop.'

However, Councillor Lynne Stagg, the council's traffic and transport boss, said: 'The people I have spoken to have been very divided, it's a 50-50 split. People who live in the side roads off Elm Grove and Kings Road seem to be more worried, which I can understand. At the same time our parking manager Kevin McKee has said only 84 per cent of parking spaces in the surrounding parking zones have got permits so there are spaces available to be used.

'Evidence shows if you don't have parking along a road you get a greater footfall in shops because people walking by are more likely to have a look.'

As part of the plans loading areas, disabled parking and bus stops will still be available along the road.

It will be funded by the emergency active travel fund from government.

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