A new and "useful" cycle lane in Nottingham has been praised by neighbours who believe it will keep cyclists safe. Nottingham City Council has accepted more than £1.7 million this week to fund a more modern pedestrian and cycling-friendly scheme on Porchester Road in Mapperley, with a clear segregation from traffic.
The city council has said the road forms a key part of the strategic cycle network which connects the sustainable transport investment currently taking place on Carlton Road and complements last year’s Active Travel Funded project on St Ann’s Well Road, where works are expected to begin later this summer. Locals thought the new lane would encourage people to use bikes, as it would be safer to do so.
George Fraser, 77, a retiree who lives on Porchester Road, said: "I think better bike lanes are a good thing, it helps to keep them off the pavement. I used to go on my bike quite a lot, but I never went onto the pavement.
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"I think the bike lanes make it safer for people on bikes, as they don't have to keep coming onto the road and then back onto the bike lane."
Steve Wood, 62, of Thorneywood, said: "To be honest I had always thought it was a bit of a waste of money, considering the other problems we have. But my lad is learning to ride a bike so sometimes I let him go down there so it would be useful.
"If the city has the money for it then I think it is a good thing and I don't think many people would disagree. They've already done a lot around here so they might as well finish it off - if you're on a bike it is annoying to worry about cars or come in and out of lanes."
The city council expects to hold a public consultation later this summer, where local residents, cyclists and people who commute through the area will have a chance to give their views and suggestions on the designs which are currently being developed.
Another Porchester Road resident, who did not want to be named, added: "If it helps people exercise and keep fit I don't see why not. It sounds like a lot of money, but I think it will make a lot of difference if it makes cycling more attractive to people."
The money has been granted by the government's Active Travel Fund, following what the city council called a "rigorous bidding process". Councillor Angela Kandola, Portfolio Holder for Highways, Transport and Planning said: “I'm proud and excited that Nottingham City Council has been awarded this money to create a safe cycling route along Porchester Road in Mapperley.
“We know we still have a long way to go to provide safe North-South cycle routes, but this funding along with the projects on Carlton Road and St Ann’s Well Road begin to make that a reality, as well as providing children at Hogarth School with a safe route to school.”
