New cycling lanes in Southampton have had a 'major impact' on residents

QUOTE:
CITY bosses have said they are “closely� monitoring the temporary cycle lanes on a major Southampton road.

Civic chiefs have encouraged residents to have their say on the temporary cycle lanes on The Avenue and Bassett Avenue.

A ward councillor said the new measures have had a “major impact� on local residents and have sparked mixed views.

But city bosses stressed they are monitoring the situation and said hundreds of people have been using the new cycle lanes since they were implemented..

The news comes as in a number of letters sent to the Daily Echo some residents raised concerns over the impact the cycle lanes would have on traffic, pollution and the local economy.

John Hannides, councillor for Bassett ward, said: “The cycle lanes have had a major impact on residents in my ward. For some it’s very welcome and for many others it’s causing significant difficulties and delays. The Council chose to spend tax payers money on a temporary scheme and many people feel it could have been better spent on permanent road safety measures, such as 20mph limits in residential streets.�

But civic chiefs have stressed the measures are temporary.

Cllr Steve Leggett, cabinet member for green city and place at Southampton City Council, said: “We would reiterate that all of the schemes are temporary and can be adjusted as traffic levels change and in line with comments received from local residents. As with every new scheme, we’re continuing to monitor the situation very closely and encourage everyone wishing to comment on The Avenue/Bassett Avenue to do so by writing to: .�

He said the council has received “lots of positive feedback� regarding the pop-up cycle lanes.

Cllr Leggett added: “On Bassett Avenue alone we’re seeing over 400 people a day making use of the new facilities.

"This in itself speaks volumes. We have received specific funding from the Government’s Emergency Active Travel Fund in order to put these measures in place. Government has permitted us to trial these changes using a combination of experimental and temporary traffic regulation orders, which allow us to make changes very quickly and consult while they are in place.

"This means we have been able to respond swiftly at a time when rapid action has been necessary to keep people safe and enable social distancing.�

ENDS

Top comment!

There's no GAIN without PAIN
A few selfish car drivers will have their racing track narrowed, and a few car journeys will take 5 minutes longer
The mission is to get people out of their cars and make the air fresh again..
It's starting to happen. Hallelujah!