Pop-up cycle lanes are appearing across Preston to encourage people to get on two wheels post-lockdown.
AdvertisementLancashire County Council says it wants to make it easier for people to cycle in the city centre and to avoid using public transport.
Temporary cycling routes are created on current roads by adding bollards, cones or water barriers to separate cyclists from traffic.
The pop-up cycle lanes have already appeared down one side of Winckley Square and also down both sides of Fylde Road.
The county council is also urging those wanting to cycle in the city to submit places in Preston where a pop-up cycle lane could help. This can be done via the county council website.
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Cabinet member for highways and transport, county councillor Keith Iddon, said: “We’re always looking for opportunities to make it easier for people to travel more sustainably, however current advice is to avoid using public transport unless your journey is really necessary, so instead we’re asking people to walk and cycle if they can.
“With this in mind we’re taking advantage of funding available to quickly introduce temporary measures to make it easier for people to cycle in these busy areas as they start to get back to work, and shops and businesses begin to reopen.
“We know that cycling is not an option for everyone, however there has been a notable increase in people walking and cycling for exercise during the lockdown.
“There is a danger that restrictions on public transport could lead to an increase in people driving and cause more congestion on the roads. If these measures make some people feel more able to cycle instead of driving or using public transport for regular journeys, they will have been worthwhile.
“These cycle lanes will mean the loss of some parking, however they are a temporary measure as part of our response to the coronavirus crisis, and we will keep them under review.
“We’re also asking people to suggest further locations where road space could be temporarily reallocated to help everyone adhere to social distancing guidelines when walking and cycling.
“We’re working to identify places with high footfall and high levels of cycle activity, such as in local centres or along routes to school so we can look at measures to improve the situation, especially as these routes are likely to get even busier as people return to work and school.
“I’d be grateful if people can help us by highlighting anywhere they’re aware of where social distancing could be a problem using the form on the active travel page of our website.”
Funding for the temporary cycle lanes has come from the Department for Transport’s new active travel fund.
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