'Opportunity' could be taken to look at creating a 'cycling network' in Portsmouth during lockdown

Following the announcement on Saturday of a £250m fund to improve cycling and walking nationwide, cabinet member Councillor Lynne Stagg has been exploring ways this could work in Portsmouth.

The cash was approved by government as part of a push to reduce pressures on public transport amid the coronavirus pandemic and avoid overcrowding.

Cllr Stagg said: ‘We had too many cars on the road before lockdown and too much pollution. The norm before Covid-19 should no longer be the norm, we have got to take this opportunity to address these issues.

‘Since lockdown we have seen about a 60 per cent reduction in traffic. And we've seen a reduction in air pollution to go with it.’

Proposals to improve cycling in the city include creating a bus and cycle-only route through Isambard Brunel Road and Guildhall Walk in the city centre, as well as a bike-only route through the southern part of Palmerston Road and a continuous cycle path on Elm Grove.

‘Some of these ideas were already being considered as part of our 15 year transport plan,’ she said.

‘What I have asked the officers to do is to draw up plans with costings to see what could be feasible.

‘In the end what we want to create is a safe cycling and walking network around the city. I'd like to see a map in the style of the London underground showing cyclists the different routes around Portsmouth.’

However, one of the co-ordinators of Extinction Rebellion Portsmouth, Nick Sebley branded the proposals ‘unambitious’.

He said: ‘A lot of these ideas are only for the south of the city. We need people to be able to get from the north to the south without the use of cars.

‘A whole new cycling strategy is needed for the city and the council should be willing to borrow millions of pounds to make that happen.’

Portsmouth City Council will need to bid for a slice of the government grant before developing ideas further.

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