Embankment car ban staying in force for now
COUNCIL SAYS RESTRICTIONS WILL BE REVIEWED IN 2021
CARS will still be banned from Victoria Embankment as a trial scheme to encourage cycling and walking in the area continues.
Nottingham City Council closed a section of the embankment at the beginning of August, to create a trafficfree area to encourage people to walk and cycle and to improve access to the riverside, parks and gardens.
Some minor changes will be made this weekend to improve access, following feedback from residents.
The closure on Wilford Grove will remain, but the closure on the Embankment at the Wilford Grove junction will be moved to enable more parking for visitors and access to the memorial for people with less mobility.
It will still not be possible to drive along the full length of the road.
Three months after it started, it is unclear how much longer the trial will last,
A full review and consultation will happen in the new year.
Walkers and residents have mixed views.
Cyclist Tom Harper, 38, of West Bridgford, said: “I am in favour of the scheme. I enjoy cycling here. I don’t drive very often so it does not affect me really.
“I understand why it’s controversial but I have benefited from it. It is very quiet and peaceful now along the river.”
Helen Giles, 59, who lives across the river, said: “It has been noticeably quieter for months now. It’s stopped quad bikers racing up along there more.
“Children can feel a bit more relaxed here with no cars, it’s definitely better for parents. But I understand not everyone is in favour of it.”
But Mark Harrison said the scheme just caused more traffic to head through The Meadows, where he lives, to get towards Clifton Bridge.
The 40-year-old added: “It doesn’t make sense to me. People enjoyed the embankment just as much when cars could head through there.
“With all the congestion on Clifton Bridge currently, we need as many roads open as possible to keep traffic down. People just rat-run through The Meadows now. It’s much busier carwise.”
Councillor Adele Williams, portfolio holder for transport at Nottingham City Council said: “We have received lots of feedback on this scheme, some positive and some negative, and I’d like to thank everyone who has taken the time to tell us their views.
“Many people have commented on how much more peaceful and calm the embankment is, and how much they have enjoyed spending time in the park since the closure came into effect. We’ve heard of people teaching their children to ride a bike there and a local triathlon club using the road for weekly traffic free training sessions.
She added: “These are some of the reasons we’ve decided to keep the closure in place, so that residents and visitors can explore and visit the peaceful and calm area that has been created. This is especially important as the current lockdown restrictions mean we should be travelling less, walking or cycling where possible, and using our green spaces to spend time outside safely.
“We will be making some changes to the scheme, following the feedback we’ve received, particularly around access. However it will still not be possible to drive along the full length of the road.
“We’re also monitoring what, if any, impact the scheme is having on neighbouring roads as traffic levels fluctuate during the ongoing pandemic. We’d also like to see how this impact is affected as more lanes reopen on Clifton Bridge.”
A council survey shows parks and green spaces are a higher priority for residents as a result of the pandemic and that people were walking and cycling more.