Controversial green walkway plans given go ahead (From Kingston Guardian)

Controversial green walkway plans given go ahead

Controversial plans for a green walkway down the middle of a busy road have been give the go ahead.

Controversial green walkway plans given go ahead

About 30 people turned up to protest plans to replace the central barriers at Tolworth Broadway with 500 metres of grass and plastic ‘greenway’ at a neighbourhood committee on Thursday, December 15.

But despite the opposition, councillors at the meeting voted in favour of the project with a majority of eight to two, with two abstentions.

The new greenway will replace the barriers erected in the mid 1960s and will stretch from the junction with Ewell Road, across the A3 roundabout to Kingston Road outside Charrington Bowl.

Kingston Council said the £2.6m scheme, partly funded by TfL, prioritises cyclists over cars and will allow pedestrians to cross anywhere along the road.

However, Alan Slade, who attended the meeting has expressed concerns over safety and said traffic calming measures plans would lead to huge congestion.

He said: “The barriers have been put in place for a reason because it is exceedingly dangerous to cross the road so close to dual carriageway.

“For blind people trying to get across that road is going to be a complete nightmare, but things like this do not seem to have been considered.

“Residents are forced to sit in traffic everyday on this road and instead of trying to improve traffic flow they are going to invite people to cross one of the busiest roads in London wherever they feel.

“Trying to create a green village type feel next to the A3 is not only an impractical waste of desperately needed council money it also completely ridiculous.”

New footpaths will also be built within the roundabout to link the pedestrian crossing points with the existing bridge over the A3.

Kingston Council is also considering plans to introduce a 20 mph speed limit around the Broadway when the greenway is completed.

Transport chief Roy Thompson, who is leading the project, said: “The traffic impact has been tested vigorously through traffic modeling and simulations - even by external groups.

"There have been audits and checks, Transport for London would not have signed the scheme off if it was not totally safe and right for the area.“ “This part of the borough often feels very left out so the greenway is an opportunity to regenerate it.”

Work will begin in next April and should be completed in time for the Olympics.