Canbury Gardens shared use cycle and pedestrian pathway trial

What do you think of the plans for a shared use pedestrian and cycle path in Canbury Gardens?

Over 130 people responded to the survey. Those in favour of the trial commented: 

• Existing cycle route is in a poor condition 

• Conflict already exists between pedestrians and cyclists accessing the riverside

• Lack of clarity and signage 

• Support for rewilding and improving the path beside the river and pedestrianising this

Some respondents expressed concern about the trial. The comments raised included:  

• Concern about potential increase in conflict between pedestrians and cyclists and particular concern about the impact of the trail shared use path on blind and partially sighted people, wheelchair users, children, dogs, elderly and less mobile people. 

• Prefer to have segregated paths for pedestrians and cyclists.

• Prefer cycling to be banned from Canbury Gardens altogether and for cyclists to use Lower Ham Road. 

• Concern about the speed of cyclists using the trial shared path.

As part of the engagement and in response to the feedback received we've taken a number of steps to address many of the issues raised:

• Held a site meeting with representatives of local groups for people with visual impairments to discuss the proposal and what could be done to address their concerns. We will hold regular meetings together during the trial in order to capture any additional works that may be needed. 

• Added more tactile  paving to the plan at entrance points and meeting points with other internal pathways.

• Updated the plan to include additional signage to support the trial scheme, that will encourage cyclists to slow down as they enter the shared use area.

• Updated the plan to include encouraging those who wish to cycle via a faster route to be encouraged to use Lower Ham Road as an alternative.

This updated plan was taken to Kingston and North Kingston Neighbourhood Committee on 28 November 2023 and approved for a 1 year trial. Weather permitting work will being on site to install the trial shared pathway from 22 January 2024.  We will open a new survey to collect your feedback from using the shared pathway once it is in place.