KINGSTON council has received £30 million in funding from Transport for London (TFL) and the Mayor of London in order to improve road safety and access to key locations.
The council has predicted that by 2050 Kingston’s population will have increased by 30 per cent and the transport infrastructure will not be able to keep up. Kingston council aims to use the money to improve key roads around the area.
The roads around the town centre will be targeted, from the Kingston College roundabout to roads that lead to the train station, making access easier.
The council is conducting a road safety survey as a way of consulting local residents, drivers and bus travellers.
Councillor Terry Paton, cabinet member with responsibility for transport and highways, said in a statement: “The survey will help us improve a major thoroughfare through the heart of Kingston and help prepare the area for the future, transforming it into a more sustainable and attractive place to live and work in.”
Improvements could potentially include better road space, new crossings, bicycle parking, public spaces, pavements, seating and greenery.
A bus driver, who wanted to remain anonymous, said: “The roads are too congested and are not safe at all because people cross the roads recklessly.
It takes much longer for passengers to get home because every other bus takes the same route to the station, if there were more lanes or bus routes to the station it would make our jobs a lot easier.”
Mohammed Mohammed, 24, who travels around Kingston regularly via bus explained that the roads around Kingston should definitely be improved.
He said: “I would suggest more lanes for buses because it takes ages to get home, especially during rush hour. I take the 111 bus home but find that it takes me around an hour and a half to get home.”
To complete the survey click here.
