Wet weather delays the installation of Portsmouth cycle ways

Segregated cycle lanes on Elm Grove and Kings Road were due to commence this month but despite the delay, Portsmouth City Council have said the project remains on ‘on track to be completed during November’.

A statement from the council said: ‘Dry weather is needed to install the bollards separating the cycle lane and the road and this work will now happen next week when the forecast looks drier.’

The cycle lanes are being temporarily introduced using money from the government's Emergency Active Travel Fund, which can be used to make improvements to help people travel in different ways during the pandemic.

They will initially be installed for a trial period following concerns by local businesses that the lanes may have a detrimental impact. During the trial the council will collect views and feedback to see what affect the cycle lanes have.

A decision on whether the cycle lanes remain will take place at the end of November. If the trial is not successful the segregated cycle lanes will be removed in early December.

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If there is clear evidence that the trial is proving successful and the initial concerns of local businesses are being overcome, then the trial period may continue and the cycle lanes ‘retained for a longer period’.

Cllr Lynne Stagg, the council's cabinet member for traffic and transportation, said: ‘The bad weather has stopped us putting the cycle lanes in this week but we'll get them in place as quickly as possible and the trial will still happen in November. Once they're in place we'll start getting views on how well it works for everyone and that will help us decide whether they stay longer-term.’

As well as promoting a healthier lifestyle it’s hoped encouraging more people to cycle will reduce air pollution in the city, which was identified earlier this year as one of the worst in the country.

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