Plans to make journeys in Portsmouth safer and greener to be reviewed

New plans are expected to see Portsmouth’s School Streets programme expanded, as well as increasing the number of electric vehicle (EV) charging points and improving active travel networks to make the city greener and safer.

Portsmouth City Council annually reviews the transport implementation plan which details the projects planned for the next three years to support the delivery of its Transport Strategy, which was officially adopted in October 2021.

If approved, the implementation plan will aim to make the city cleaner, greener and better-connected through projects that improve road safety, reduce casualties and reduce speeding, encourage the uptake of EVs, and improve accessibility for people with disabilities.

The plan will also support the development of Play Streets to allow children to play outside their own homes during agreed times, and expand the current School Streets programme which involves temporarily closing roads to through traffic close to schools to encourage more parents and children to walk, cycle and scoot to school.

It is expected to also increase the number of on-street bike hangars where bike storage is an issue so more people have secure access to bike storage near their homes and invest in improving the connectivity of the existing cycle and walking network.

If approved the schemes will be taken forward and residents will be involved in sharing their views as the schemes develop.

Cllr Lynne Stagg, Cabinet Member for Traffic and Transportation, who will review the plan on, said:’I look forward to seeing the updated implementation plan and discussing how we prioritise the work we do to ensure we are making our city safer, better connected and a healthier place for us all to enjoy.’

In related news, plans to improve cycling and walking in Portsmouth have received a high level of support.

Photo by Mangopear creative