12 November
A trial scheme to create a safer, more welcoming environment at a city park will continue with some minor changes made this weekend (14 and 15 November) to improve access following feedback.
Nottingham City Council closed a section of Victoria Embankment at the beginning of August, to create a traffic free environment to encourage people to walk and cycle along the Embankment, and to improve access to the riverside, parks and gardens.
The closure on Wilford Grove itself will remain, however the closure on the Embankment at the Wilford Grove end will be moved, to enable more parking for visitors and closer access to the memorial for people with less mobility. It will still not be possible to drive along the full length of the road.
Councillor Adele Williams, Portfolio Holder for Transport, said: “We have received lots of feedback on this scheme, some positive and some negative, and I’d like to thank everyone who has taken the time to tell us their views.
“Many people have commented on how much more peaceful and calm the Embankment is, and how much they have enjoyed spending time in the park since the closure came into effect. We’ve heard of people teaching their children to ride a bike there and a local triathlon club using the road for weekly traffic free training sessions.
“These are some of the reasons we’ve decided to keep the closure in place, so that residents and visitors can explore and visit the peaceful and calm area that has been created. This is especially important as the current lockdown restrictions mean we should be travelling less, walking or cycling where possible, and using our green spaces to spend time outside safely.
“We will be making some changes to the scheme, following the feedback we’ve received, particularly around access. However it will still not be possible to drive along the full length of the road. A full review and consultation will be undertaken in the New Year.
“We’re also monitoring what, if any, impact the scheme is having on neighbouring roads as traffic levels fluctuate during the ongoing pandemic. We’d also like to see how this impact is affected as more lanes reopen on Clifton Bridge.”
A recent council survey showed that parks and green spaces were a higher priority for residents as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, and also that people were looking to walk or cycle more.
The scheme is one of the council’s measures, funded through the Emergency Active Travel Fund, to support social distancing and reallocate roadspace for greener, more sustainable travel.
