By Two Portsmouth roads to be closed to vehicles in emergency traffic scheme
Two busy Portsmouth routes are to be closed to vehicles in an emergency scheme to boost walking and cycling.
Portsmouth City Council said it was continuing to make greener, safer travel improvements to the city in response to Covid-19 and the latest temporary measures would include closing Castle Road and Canal Walk to traffic.
Castle Road has more than 80 homes and a wide range of independent shops that generate a high amount of footfall throughout the year, as well as being used as a route through to the seafront by people driving, walking and cycling.
The changes aim to help this continue safely and should also address the problem of narrow footpaths where there is limited space for social distancing and stop vehicles using it as a cut-through.
Sydenham Terrace and Canal Walk are popular routes for people walking and cycling, particularly to travel to the city centre, with a pavement on only one side of the road. The changes should create a safer route from east to west of the city as visibility around the corner of Canal Walk and Somers Road is poor.
The council was awarded funding from the government’s Emergency Active Travel Fund to put a variety of new temporary schemes in place.
Due to the emergency nature of the scheme, the temporary changes will be implemented quickly on September 1, said the council.
Once the scheme has been installed the council will welcome feedback by email at EATF@portsmouthcc.gov.uk
This feedback will be used to inform decisions on whether the scheme needs changing, removing or continuing.
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