NEW measures are set to be tried out on neighbourhood streets in Evington to help reduce traffic speeds, congestion, inappropriate parking and rat-running.
The measures - all of which are experimental - will include closing off streets to through traffic and trialling a one-way system.
Some roads will be closed at strategic points to prevent through traffic, while keeping full access to all properties at all times. Other roads will be made one-way, and some roads will have bollards or low fencing installed to prevent parking on grass verges.
It follows extensive engagement with local residents and schools on ways to reduce congestion, tackle problem parking and limit traffic speeds in the area.
From Sunday 8 May:
- Gamel Road will be made one-way from Davenport Road to Skampton Road, to help reduce congestion.
- Greystone Avenue will be closed to traffic entering from Uppingham Road. Motorists will still be able to exit Greystone Avenue on to Uppingham Road. This should reduce rat-running whilst still allowing residents access to Uppingham Road.
- Davenport Road will be closed between its junctions with Oakside Crescent and Beechwood Close. This will mean the need for a secondary closure from the eastern end of Oakside Crescent on to Davenport Road. This will reduce the speed of traffic and rat-running along the length of Davenport Road.
- The Newhaven Road closure will be moved to just south of its junction with Chatteris Avenue. This will reduce the speed of traffic and rat-running along the length of Newhaven Road.
- Low fencing and bollards will be installed along stretches of Whitehall Road, Chatteris Road and Downing Drive to prevent parking on grass verges.
All of the measures are being introduced experimentally to address concerns raised by local people.
Deputy city mayor for environment and transport Cllr Adam Clarke said: “We’re trying out these measures after listening to local residents, in response to the traffic problems they have told us about. A similar scheme is currently under way in Knighton.
“Local ward councillors have been instrumental in engaging with residents and inputting ideas, and will continue to be closely involved with this scheme.
“All of these measures are experimental, so they can be changed or removed over time. We want to see how it goes and whether these changes make a positive difference.
“Making our neighbourhoods safer and healthier is a priority for us as we tackle the climate emergency. People should not have to put up with cars speeding through residential streets, or having their roads blocked by thoughtless school-run parking. Parents have told us that they would be more inclined to let their children walk or cycle to school if there was less traffic.
“By working together with local people and ward councillors, we are introducing changes that will make residential streets in Evington safer, reduce congestion and help to improve air quality, benefitting both our personal health and wellbeing, and that of our city.”
Ongoing discussions with local residents about the experimental measures began in September of last year when residents where sent a leaflet outlining the proposals and were invited to on-street roadshows. A formal consultation on whether to make the proposals permanent will begin once the experimental changes have been made.
More details about how the scheme will operate are available at https://www.choosehowyoumove.co.uk/evington/
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