Council gives update on changes to controversial Hyde Park low traffic neighbourhood

Planter boxes were put in the road around Hyde Park in November in an effort to reduce rat running and make streets safer for pedestrians and cyclists.

However, the plans were met with strong opposition by some in the community.

A petition to abolish the scheme received more than 800 signatures and the planters were subject to vandalism.

People who signed the petition claimed the scheme made congestion worse and that local businesses were suffering.

Cars were also spotted mounting the pavement to get round the planters at Royal Park Road.

At the time, Yacob Ahmed, who started the petition and has lived in Hyde Park all his life, said: “LTNs are not a good fit 'one size fits all' solution for the area of Hyde Park.

"The dynamics of the area and the landscape make it wholly incompatible and their effects absolutely counter intuitive.

"The councillors implementing the scheme are completely out of touch with the needs of the locals and the issues we have in the area and the ideas we've proposed to tackle the problems are not being listened to."

After a review of the scheme, the council has decided to remove the ‘no through traffic’ changes on Royal Park Road and Alexandra Road, by Friday 11 December.

A council spokesperson said: “So far we would like to thank people who have responded directly to the consultation and provided their views on our active travel neighbourhoods.

"We promised to listen closely to local residents and their experiences, the positives and the negatives while they are in place.

"After reviewing the Hyde Park scheme, we’re going to make some changes to two roads in the scheme.

“Local ward councillors want to work with residents on shared concerns about road safety.

"The active travel area has experienced 41 collisions in the past five years – with four having a severity rating of serious and 37 being classed as slight.

“But to help tackle speeding drivers and those using the short-cuts through the area, we’re asking local residents what they think we can do to help mitigate these safety concerns and improve the area. It is hoped more conversations can take place in the new year, as more restrictions on meetings are lifted.

“People are encouraged to participate in the consultation by visiting our commonplace website and supporting our efforts to have safe streets and save lives.”

Planter boxes will remain in place on Thornville Road, Thornville Street, Howden Place, Brudenell Road, Pearson Avenue, Meadow View, Hartwell Road, Chapel Lane, Newport Road and the Norwoods.

A short section of Queen’s Road, at the junction with Royal Park Road, is to become one way exit and right turn only,

A bus gate (restricts motor vehicles except buses and emergency services) will be in place on Queen’s Road, between Pearson Grove and Brudenell Road.

Brudenell Road will become one way between Hyde Park Road and Walton Road, removing parking and providing cycling facilities.

Chestnut Avenue will have parking restrictions to improve access for buses and refuse collection.

The council said it will continue to work with the community to find solutions to concerns raised about speeding, parking and traffic short-cutting through the area to avoid main roads.

Have your say about the Active Travel Neighbourhoods by visiting the consultation website.

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