Car hire scheme and bike hangars in 'revolutionary' new transport plan for Portsmouth

The hopes come in a new ‘aspirational’ 16-year transport plan launched by Portsmouth City Council.

Council chiefs say joining car clubs – local car hire schemes where people can share a vehicle – could become a viable option for getting around the congested city.

Electric buses, electric bikes and semi-autonomous vehicles, are all included in the masterplan.

It sets out ways to create a more ‘people-centred travel network’ in several stages, starting this year and running up to 2036. Electric car charging points, part of the plan, are already in place.

The blueprint replaces a 2011 strategy and includes more sustainable travel options.

A country-wide focus on climate change – with Portsmouth among heavily air polluted cities in Britain – has left a senior a councillor hoping the plans could be funded by government grants.

Transport cabinet member Councillor Lynne Stagg said: ‘We need to support behaviour change in people by giving them sustainable choices.

‘We're not taking away options but offering them alternatives.’

The various stages of the strategy are subject to grant funding

Cllr Stagg added: ‘The emphasis on climate change nationally has actually helped us because we have more chance of getting funding from the Department for Transport because they will see the good work we are doing and want to do.’

As reported, a decision on a chargeable clean air zone has been delayed as government asked for more information from city council officers.

‘It's important to stress this is aspirational, an awful lot of it depends on funding. But I believe what we have here is really revolutionary.’

Encouraging cycling in the city is key to the scheme's first stage, set to be completed within two years, along with the car clubs and an electric scooter trial.

Portsmouth Cycle Forum chairman Ian Saunders welcomed the focus on cycling, including bike storage pods, known as bike hangars.

‘We have been pushing for the bike hangars for a while,’ he said.

SEE ALSO: The most dangerous roads for Portsmouth cyclists

‘In flat-fronted terraces unless you are going to bring your bike through the house you have nowhere to store them.

‘Anything that gets more people on bikes in the city is a good thing but the infrastructure needs to be in place.

‘There are still too many people who feel unsafe cycling in Portsmouth and until that element is addressed people are being put in danger.’

The draft transport strategy will be up for approval at a cabinet meeting on Tuesday, March 10.

A 12-week public consultation will then be held to gather feedback to shape the final strategy.