Views sought on cycle path along major Portsmouth road set for £450,000 improvements

Portsmouth City Council is set to widen a section of the cycle and walking path along commuter route Eastern Road.

The improvements, between Airport Service Road and Burrfields Road, in Copnor, will be paid for by a £461,400 government grant that was awarded last year. They will make up part of a larger three-year project to improve the cycle lane along the whole road.

Now the council is seeking views to consider what other improvements are needed.

Councillor Lynne Stagg, the council’s traffic and transport boss, said: ‘Gathering feedback is an important step as we hope to use this information to support any future funding bids as we look to make cycle and walking a more attractive choice for people travelling in Portsmouth.

‘I encourage everyone to take part in the opinion survey and share comments on specific locations on the Widenmypath web page.’

Proposals that will be implemented over the next three years include widening the path – without reducing the size of the road – and improving lighting and signage by moving street lights and signs.

Previous plans to create a temporary bike route using a lane of traffic on Eastern Road last year were scrapped at the last minute.

SEE ALSO: Portsmouth named as one of the most dangerous cities for cyclists

Chairman of the Pompey Cycle Forum, Ian Saunders, welcomed the improvements but said other issues needed to be considered. ‘There are sections of the route that are absolutely substandard that have to be improved,’ he said.

‘Now I see it's a three-year project to do the whole road I think the devil will be in the detail.

‘We have seen a large increase in cycling along the route as well as walkers since lockdown. If the council is serious about Portsmouth becoming a more walking and cycling-centric place this needs to be done.

‘Thought needs to be given to the speed limit along the road to make it safer.’

To take part in the survey visit research.net/r/EasternRoad and to provide more detailed feedback on routes across the city visit widenmypath.com/suggest/#14/50.8212/-1.0492

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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