SCN1 Western Cycle Freeway takes a step closer to completion with works at Third Avenue, Millbrook

New freeway will provide cyclists with a quick, easy and safe route in and out of the city

Work is underway to create a new safe and segregated cycle lane along Third Avenue, which runs parallel to Millbrook Road West and is a key part of the Southampton Cycle Network (SCN). The work will take around six weeks, completing in late June 2019.

Why are we doing this work?

The project, carried out by our highways partners Balfour Beatty, will mean the SCN1 Western Cycle Freeway takes a big step closer to its completion later this year. The SCN1 runs from Totton and the New Forest through to Southampton Central Station. It is a key part of our ten year commitment to make Southampton a true cycling city. This new Cycle Freeway, along with the sections we’ve already completed along Second Avenue, will provide people cycling a quick, easy and safe route into and out of the city from Redbridge, Totton and the New Forest.

What's new?

• Third Avenue will be made permanently one way for motor traffic travelling eastbound as part of the scheme to create space for the two-way segregated cycle lane
• The cycle lane will be segregated from traffic by new kerbs protecting people cycling from passing and turning traffic
• Continuous crossings will be installed so that people walking or cycling along Third Avenue will have priority over traffic at the junctions from side roads

We began engagement with businesses in the area on the scheme in July 2018 and a formal public consultation took place for three weeks in January 2019. Now the work is underway and will be carried out in four phases to minimise any local disruption.

The cycle scheme construction cost £470,000 to deliver. This has been sourced from Joint Air Quality Unit funding for a Clean Air Zone and the first tranche of funding from the successful joint bid by Southampton City Council and Hampshire County Council to the Department for Transport’s Transforming Cities fund. More detail on the Transforming Cities fund is available on our website.

As the Southampton Cycle Network develops it’s a great time for anyone thinking about cycling for their commute or for leisure to give it a go. Our My Journey sustainable travel team provide support, advice and events that can help you to swap four wheels for two.

Works details

The full phasing and detail of the works is available from our website. As this is a service road for access to the industrial area we do not anticipate the works having a significant impact on Millbrook Road or the Highways England major project at Redbridge Roundabout. We will be working closely with the businesses affected by the works to ensure access is maintained throughout.

Cllr Jacqui Rayment, Cabinet Member for Transport & Public Realm, said:

“We are committed to developing the Southampton Cycle Network to help tackle congestion, improve air quality and improve public health. When we consulted with residents on our Cycling Strategy in 2017, and more recently on our new Local Transport Plan, people told us that new and segregated cycle ways and traffic calming measures would help them to cycle more often. It’s great to see we are delivering on that as this major part of the cycle network nears completion. I’d like to thank the local businesses for their patience as we work to complete the project.”