Plans for temporary one-way streets and low traffic neighbourhoods in Portsmouth revealed

Since applying for a £192,000 active travel grant last week the city council has now revealed its proposals to encourage cycling and walking that made up the bid.

The cash is intended to be used on 'quick fixes' before plans for more permanent solutions will be laid out as part of a second bid from government.

It is hoped it will retrospectively cover the cost of the closure of three city centre roads as well as the seafront road, which were implemented during lockdown, as well as a slew of new measures.

Councillor Lynne Stagg, the council's traffic and transport boss, said: 'These changes will all be introduced swiftly and as they are temporary we will continuously monitor them to make sure they work well for businesses and residents.

'This forms one part of the transport recovery plan that will be launched soon that focuses on active travel and keeping our city moving safely, whilst also encouraging cleaner greener travel that is better for our air quality.'

The plans submitted include two temporary toucan crossings on Eastern Parade in Southsea, pop-up cycle lanes and some parking suspensions in Ordnance Row and Elm Grove and traffic filters in Castle Road and Canal Walk.

A low traffic neighbourhood is also proposed between Highland Road and Goldsmith Avenue, creating one-way systems and no-through roads.

SEE ALSO: An open letter from Pompey Street Space to Portsmouth City Council

A spokesman for the Pompey Street Space campaign, which has been lobbying for a city-wide cycle network, said: 'We welcome these measures, particularly the filtered permeability areas that we know residents were calling for.

'However, we note that all these proposals are in the south of the city; there's nothing at all for the north of the city and nothing to connect the north with Southsea.

'What is needed is a joined-up cycle route that enables families and commuters to travel safely and quickly from say North End to the seafront or Gunwharf by bicycle.'

The measures come after plans to create a temporary cycle lane along Eastern Road that would have been paid for by the grant, were scrapped just days before work was due to start.

Labour spokesman for traffic and transport, Cllr Graham Heaney, said: 'It's a good start but fairly modest. It is disappointing we weren't allowed to go through with Eastern Road.

'It would be useful to have something around London Road in North End as I think that can be problematic for cyclists.'

Tory spokesman, Cllr Simon Bosher, added: 'Some of the ideas came from speaking to ward councillors which I've been saying should have been done all along.

'My concerns tend to be around cycling provision, it's currently very scattergun and it's very south of the city-centric.'

Under the conditions of the grant the work must start either within four weeks of getting funding or completed within eight weeks of starting.

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