What a waste
I am writing to express my dismay at the proposal to create two cycle lanes along the whole length of Elm Grove and Kings Road in Southsea.
I understand this has been a rushed decision to take advantage of government funding which will be lost unless implemented within a very short time frame.
There has therefore been very little assessment of the current usage of these roads and the devastating impact this will have on local businesses and residents.
When the trial period comes to an end and is found to be a mistake, there will then be the cost of reinstating the present road layout which was given a nice new surface only this summer.
Elm Grove is a thriving local area with many businesses offering a valuable service to the community. These include three supermarkets, Co-op, Tesco and the Mediterranean supermarket, Rowlands Pharmacy, Grove Veterinary Surgery, Percy Harrison’s Optician, Monkey Puzzle Day Nursery, Debra Furniture and Electrical Charity Shop and others.
Many of these require all day access for loading and unloading and crucially short stay parking for customers and clients.
A quick walk round the residential side streets will show that they are quite unable to cope with extra parking displaced from Elm Grove. Residents pay a high price for the privilege of residents’ parking yet already it is often difficult to find a parking space near their own homes.
I see from the sketch in the EATF leaflet, Have your say today, there are plans for several breaks in the cycle lanes which go some way to allow for loading bays and bus stops.
This surely takes away much of
Elm Grove is a thriving local area with many businesses offering a valuable service to the community
ROGER WILMOT
the advantage of the cycle lanes for cyclists. They are directed to join the main highway which is a potential hazard for them, or what is more likely, they will use the pavement causing real danger to pedestrians.
It is surely better for all concerned for cyclists to use the quieter side roads, safer for them and avoiding major upheaval to the main road.
I consider this scheme to be a total waste of money in this current economic climate when there are so many other more urgent needs and as a country we are already borrowing such vast sums of money.
Roger Wilmot
St Peters Grove, Southsea