Council launches ambitious plans for safer, active streets

The temporary measures for safer, active streets are part of the Council’s response to the COVID-19 situation and will help ensure social distancing and improve local air quality in advance of more business premises opening in early June.

The plans are based on the Council’s Ambitious for Sutton programme to keep people safe and active and are the first phase of longer-term plans to create low-traffic neighbourhoods in the borough. Residents switching to walking and cycling for short journeys around the borough and record-low traffic levels also present an opportunity to shape Sutton’s response to the climate emergency.

The improvements involve:

• pavement widening in Sutton Town Centre and other district centres, including at entrances to parks

• suspension of some parking bays to widen footpaths/reduce road space

• suspension of some loading bays to widen footpaths/reduce road space

The nine locations have been selected because temporary barriers or traffic cones can be placed on the road without the need for any changes to parking restrictions. Alternative parking places are available nearby for any existing free bays that are suspended.

Councillor Manuel Abellan, Chair of Sutton Council’s Environment Committee said:

“These exciting new plans to make walking and cycling easier in our borough are just the latest stage of Sutton’s ambitious plans to keep our residents safe and active.

“Travel patterns across the capital and Sutton are changing rapidly and many residents are looking for new ways to get around that ensures social distancing as a result of coronavirus. 

“The Council wants to do all it can to help create safe spaces for pedestrians and cyclists so people can get to work and kickstart our local economy again.”

The temporary schemes will be reviewed and monitored during the lockdown period and those that prove successful could be considered for permanent implementation when any coronavirus restrictions end. The Council will ask residents and local councillors for ideas on any future, more permanent schemes and locations.

The nine locations for the first phase of safer, active streets are:

• Sutton Town Centre (Throwley Way - Benhill Road to toucan crossing opposite Lodge Place)

• Sutton Town Centre (Throwley Way - pedestrian crossing south of Greyhound Road up to Manor Park)

• Sutton Town Centre (St Nicholas Way - south of Hill Road (end of red route) to St Nicholas Road)

• Worcester Park (Central Road/Malden Road railway bridge)

• Belmont (Moore Way/Homeland Drive to Overton Park)

• Beddington (Mollison Drive - section by Roundshaw Park/Leisure centre)

• Beddington (Sandy Lane South - from No 2 up to left-turn lane on Stafford Road)

• Hackbridge (London Road/Hackbridge Road outside Sainsbury’s)

• Wallington (Woodcote Road (High Street area) - loading bay outside KFC)