You said, We did

You Said, We Did

Movement strategy Phase 2: Queensway Informal Public Consultation

Introduction

The Queensway Cycle Movement Strategy proposals are to make the temporary cycles lanes installed by the council in 2020, as an active travel response to the covid pandemic, permanent. The Queensway cycle lane runs along Porchester Road and Queensway from the intersection with Westbourne Park Villas, to the intersections with Bishops Bridge Road. The scheme also includes changes on Inverness Terrace between Porchester Gardens and Inverness Place. This scheme encourages active travel by developing safer and permanent cycle lanes.

A informal public consultation ran for 3 weeks from 8^th July to 29^th July 2024. The consultation activities and materials were hosted on the council Consultation Hub including FAQ’s and a link to an online survey, a (50m from route) letter drop to 2,728 addresses, emails to statutory consultees, ward members and resident groups. Feedback was collected via the online survey which went live on 8^th July for the duration of the consultation period.

Consultation Results

Commonplace contained a survey that sought people’s views on what effect the proposals will have on the way people choose to travel with an option to comment. 

The response to this question indicated that the scheme was expected to have a positive effect on cycling in the area. However, a majority of respondents were either unsure on the effect of the scheme or believed the proposals would have no effect on travel modes used in the area. Extracting the underlying themes of the responses via the open text comments and emails received provided a stronger understanding of concerns and suggestions raised from the public consultation. This allows the Council to address the concerns and progress the scheme in an informed and targeted way.  

Main Objection & suggestion themes

• You Said (Total 52 Respondents): Changing Westbourne Park Villas into a one way system will  increase congestion and add to journey times. 

WCC Response to Issue: Changing Westbourne Park Villas into a one way was the most recorded concern relating to the scheme proposals. Through the consultation we have heard from residents that this would cause increased congestion on Westbourne Park Road, due to this being the only accessible route for vehicles to travel east from Porchester Road.  Based on the feedback received council will not be going forward with the one way proposal for Westbourne Park Villas. 

• You Said (Total 10 Respondents): Provision of further segregation and safety measures for cyclists in the form of bollards, floating parking bays or mandatory cycle lanes.  

WCC Response:  The Cycle Movement Strategy focuses on making permanent, the temporary lanes installed by the Council in 2020 as an active travel response to the covid pandemic. Any cycle segregation could not be accommodated in the budget and programme of the scheme. Should Queensway proposals progress to a wider cycleway route in future, increased segregation will be reviewed for possible inclusion within the scope. Floating parking and mandatory cycle lanes have also been reviewed and not viable in this instance due to road width constraints. 

• You Said (Total 4 Respondents): Taxi rank concerns in regards to location and its utilisation. 

WCC Response: The removal of taxi ranks is not part of the scope of the scheme. We will however investigate the relocation of the taxi stand to the other side of Porchester Square to ensure better accessibility for those with wheelchair needs.  

• You Said (Total 9 Respondents): Under the current layout, cyclists behaviour is dangerous for pedestrians with cyclists not following the regulations and often riding on the pavement. 

WCC Response:  It’s the responsibility of all road users to abide by the rules of the road, even cyclists. The provision of good quality infrastructure is generally seen to improve road user behaviours as safety and comfort is improved for vulnerable road users meaning they are more likely to use the road than the footpath.

Next Steps

Subject to a decision to proceed by Cabinet Member for city Management and air Quality.

• Detailed design will be carried out in January 2025, to amend scheme proposal based on consultation feedback.
• A statutory Traffic Management Order (TMO) consultation is anticipated to be carried out in February 2025 for a duration of 3 weeks, subject to Cabinet Member decision to proceed.
• Construction on site to take place in May 2025.