Mayor hails £2.7m cycling and walking improvements

A range of walking and cycling improvements in Nottingham have now been completed three months ahead of schedule.

The East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA) and Active Travel England awarded Nottingham City Council £2.7 million to complete the two-phase project on Porchester Road, Mapperley.

Phase one, completed in March, included creating a two-way cycle path along Porchester Road beginning at Burgass Road and finishing at Cherrywood Gardens. The newly completed phase two has included creating a segregated two-way cycle path from Cherrywood Gardens north to Kenrick Avenue and a one-way cycle path from Kenrick Road to Emmanuel Avenue.

Mayor of the East Midlands, Claire Ward said: “The Porchester Road upgrades will make a real difference to residents, whether they’re walking, cycling, or simply spending time in their neighbourhood. Sustainable travel is part of giving people real choice about how they travel, while creating a cleaner, healthier future for Nottingham.”

‘Important addition’ to cycling network

The council said the works was an “important addition” to its strategic cycling network, linking to the improvements on Carlton Road and following the completion of last year’s Active Travel Fund project on St Ann’s Well Road. This scheme provides a safer route for those cycling and walking to and from residential areas, Hogarth Academy and city centre/Carlton Road destinations.

The improvements on Porchester Road include:

• A more pedestrian-friendly arrangement at junctions;
• Improved pedestrian access to shops and businesses;
• Resurfacing worn sections of the road;
• Improved bus stops;
• Proper separation at junctions for visually impaired people;
• New protected right-turn areas at junctions currently without them;
• Renewing footpath surfacing in selected areas;
• Cutting back trees and bushes overhanging paths;
• Improving existing pedestrian crossings;
• Creating high-quality separate cycle paths for cycles and electric scooters to reduce conflicts with pedestrians and motorists;

Councillor Linda Woodings, council executive member for regional development, growth and transport, said: “It’s fantastic to see these improvements on Porchester Road completed ahead of schedule. This project not only strengthens our growing city-wide cycle network, but also makes it easier and safer for residents to walk, cycle and travel sustainably.

“We are providing options which help to ease congestion, clean up the air, and make our streets safer. It will benefit everyone who uses the route, whether they’re getting to school, local shops, or the city centre.”

For more information about the Porchester Road Active Travel Scheme, click here.