Town cycle lane pilot launching next year

Sunday 29 November 2020

A contraflow cycle lane running along Hill Street will be installed early next year as part of a year-long pilot to encourage more students to cycle to school.

Spanning the length between Halkett Place and La Motte Street, the lane will be marked with appropriate road signage, bollards and white lines to prevent motorists from crossing into it.

The unloading bay and parking next to Morier House will make way for the cycle lane, but the unloading bay by Dunell's will remain.

Hill Street will be monitored to see if further safety measures are needed, and feedback from islanders will be reviewed regularly to see if any adjustments need to be made.

Pictured: It's hoped the initiative will encourage more young people to cycle to school.

At the end of the pilot, a decision will be made on whether to make the scheme permanent. 

“This pilot forms part of the bigger picture set out in the Sustainable Transport Policy, which sets out our ambition for making walking and cycling inclusive, safe and attractive for all Islanders,” Minister for Infrastructure Deputy Kevin Lewis explained. 

“It will enable cyclists to get from town to the east of the Island, or to the St. Saviour schools, without having to go through the tunnel or around Mount Bingham. By improving the infrastructure, we are hoping to make cycling the preferred choice of transport for more people, and I hope that Islanders will give us their thoughts now, and during the pilot scheme.” 

Ahead of the pilot’s launch, islanders are being asked to share their views in a consultation before 20 December.

Meanwhile, islanders are also being asked to share their thoughts on safety improvements around St. John's School as part of the Safer Routes to School initiative, and on plans to make Midvale Road more pedestrian-friendly.

Pictured: Proposed changes to Midvale Road.

Plans for the latter were first revealed this week, and include a proposals to:

• widen pavements on both sides of the road;
• make the road one-way in a south bound direction;
• reduce carriageway width at junctions;
• and create three raised tables along the length of the road.

CLICK HERE to take part in the consultations.