Plans To Improve Cycle Access To Southfield Park |
||||
Changes to be made at north and south entrances The entrance to Southfield Park near Carlton Road. Picture: Google Streetview
Two enhancements to allow easier access for cyclists through Southfield Park are under consideration. Firstly discussions are underway with the owner of the nearby industrial estate to give up some land to Ealing Council to allow the entrance at the northern end of the park which links to Mansell Road to be widened. The width of the alleyway would be increased to three metres to allow cyclists and pedestrians to pass in opposite directions. At the same time it is being proposed to widen part of a path, take up some of a tarmac path and resurface with Flexipave. This is a porous alternative to asphalt which is suitable for walkers, joggers and cyclists. There is also a plan to install solar lights on this path, and on the rest of the route to the Carlton Road gate. The lights would be inset in the surface, not on columns, and provide guidance rather than illumination. There was an earlier proposal to remove the gate at the Carlton Road exit and replace it with bollards as well as reducing the size of some of the parking bays on Southfield Road to increase visibility. This would form part of the Chiswick to East Acton cycle route. Southfield ward councillor, Gary Malcolm said, “Hopefully these proposals will encourage cyclists whilst not causing issues for other users. A win-win.” However, Cllr Malcolm and the other Liberal Democrat councillors in the ward continue to oppose the restrictions on Fishers Lane which also form part of the Chiswick to East Acton cycle route. He said on doorstep discussions they have had with constituents, “the Council’s Fishers Lane scheme came up a lot with most people against it, including many cyclists. We have taken the views and observations of residents on this issue and we understand that some residents are considering a legal objection to Ealing Council. If they do, we will support them on this.”
October 30, 2021
|