Cllr Graham Heaney our traffic and transport spokesperson reports back on the work he’s been doing as our spokesperson on the city council and on this months ‘Portsmouth Cycle Forum’ meeting.

Commenting on the failed ‘pop-up’ cycle lanes on Elm Grove Cllr Heaney Said: “Having spoken to residents, local businesses and consulting with community groups before, during and after the trial last year I’ve been pushing for the council to have a ‘lessons learned’ review of the Elm Grove cycle lane.

Cllr Graham Heaney added: “Having been pushing for a review since before Christmas, last week I asked about progress and was told that it was going to be reported back to us at the end of March and this would include consideration of future proposals for Elm Grove. I’ve asked what form this is going to take and what consultation is going to take place and am still awaiting a response.”

Attending the ‘Portsmouth Cycle Forum’ which was the first meeting held since last January. Ian Saunders the PCF chair gave an update on activities during the year and Graham gave updates on the work he’s been doing, commented on some of the issues raised and took actions to follow up on.

Graham said: “The council are currently consulting about improvements to the eastern corridor including the Eastern Road (traffic junctions and the cycle lane). I would urge everyone members of the cycle forum and others to ensure their voice is heard in these consultations.”

You can view what the council have done already and feed into the next phase here:

Eastern corridor – Portsmouth City Council

Cllr Graham Heaney also gave an update on the councils plan to introduce an electric scooter trial as part of a number of pilot projects across the country.

Cllr Heaney said: “The final approval of the details will hopefully come to the traffic and transport cabinet meeting in February. It will be a rental scheme run by a private company and I understand that it will be ‘geofenced’ meaning that its use will be confined to particular routes. It is not clear if they will be allowed to use cycle lanes. Privately owned electric scooters will still be illegal on the highway.”

If you haven’t yet taken our ‘Portsmouth Cycle Survey’ you can do so below and ensure your views are represented at the city council.