Opinion Survey – Road Closures
Residents, businesses and people travelling through roads closed to enable social distancing during the pandemic are all invited to share their experience of the changes and if they should be made permanent in opinion surveys.
Portsmouth City Council closed a number of roads to create space for walking and cycling during the height of the restrictions. In between lockdowns some of these places have become pleasant spaces to also dine outside and meet with friends. The temporary adaptation of road space for people to walk and cycle has remained in place throughout the pandemic. As restrictions and social distancing measures have reduced it has now become important to understand if these changes are something that people would like to see made permanent.
If the roads were opened to people walking and cycling on a permanent basis initial changes would be made and then funding would be sought for further improvements to create a more pleasant place to live, work and visit.
We would welcome your views in each of the surveys. To take part please click on the links below:
- Castle Road – www.research.net/r/CastleRoadClosureSurvey
- Guildhall Walk – www.research.net/r/GuildhallWalkClosureSurvey
- Palmerston Road South – www.research.net/r/PalmerstonRSClosureSurvey
- Canal Walk – www.research.net/r/CanalWalkClosureSurvey
Each of the surveys take approximately five minutes to complete and close on Sunday 25 July 2021. Anyone that is unable to take part online can call the friendly team on 023 9261 6708 to organise a time to complete the survey by telephone. Opening hours are 9am to 4pm, Monday to Friday excluding bank holidays.
On Castle Road a further option is being proposed that would reduce the flow of traffic whilst allowing access for deliveries at certain times of day. The image shows an illustration of how this could look.
This hybrid approach would include a one-way lane for vehicles from south to north that would exit via Hambrook Street. People who walk and cycle would be able to access all of Castle Road, however, just north of Hambrook Street the road would be closed to motor vehicles. This would stop Castle Road being used as a cut through and would reduce traffic significantly whilst enabling market stalls and outside dining.
A decision will be made in September based on the analysis of the results. If the decision is made to remove the changes the restrictions will be removed over the following weeks. If the changes are to be made permanent a formal consultation will take place as part of a Traffic Regulation Order lasting 21 days.
