The Avenue cycle scheme enters next phase

Work has commenced to install new cycle facilities on The Avenue from Lodge Road to Northlands Road. Improvements are being carried out by Southampton City Council’s highways partner Balfour Beatty Living Places and will include the introduction of newly surfaced, segregated on and off-road cycle lanes and improved cycle and pedestrian crossings.

The £1.3m scheme is being funded through Tranche 1 of the Department for Transport’s Transforming Cities Fund, which last year awarded £5.7m to Southampton City Council and Hampshire County Council following a successful joint bid to central government.

The plans follow the installation earlier this year of new ‘Copenhagen style’ cycle lanes along the Inner Avenue. Cyclists can now use the one-way, segregated cycle paths on either side of the road, travelling separately from both traffic on the road and pedestrians on the footway.

The next phase of the scheme is set to extend the existing cycle route along the Inner Avenue as far as Northlands Road. The project commenced on Sunday 6 October and will take place in multiple phases, lasting for approximately 20 weeks with a two-week break over Christmas. Various closures and lane restrictions will be in place during this time. Visit our transport website for full details on each stage of the works and travel advice.

The project coincides with current works to extend the southern end of the cycle route with a new shared footway/cycleway along Dorset Street from Cranbury Place to Bellevue Terrace. Developments will include the removal of the existing subway at the north end of Dorset Street, which will be replaced with an above the ground toucan crossing. Works commenced on Monday 23 September and are expected to last for approximately eight weeks.

Collectively these works represent another key milestone in creating the SCN5 Northern Cycle Freeway from the city centre to Chandler’s Ford. The freeway forms a crucial part of the wider Southampton Cycle Network, which is delivering a series of consistent, high quality and safe cycle routes across the city. Once complete, the SCN5 route will provide a pleasant, safe and efficient experience for those travelling along this busy approach into the city.

Councillor Jacqui Rayment, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Place and Transport, says:

 “Supporting people to travel sustainably is one of the key measures set out in our Green City Charter. The Southampton Cycle Network has a fundamental role to play in this, providing purpose-built routes that enable people to cycle safely and confidently in and around our city. Thanks to the hard work of our transport team, the network is now truly beginning to take shape and it’s exciting to see so many people enjoying the new routes being delivered across Southampton. The Avenue cycle scheme is a crucial part of these ongoing developments. We will endeavour to minimise disruption throughout the works but would advise road users to prepare for delays. Please visit our My Journey website to help you plan your journeys while we continue to develop safe and direct cycling facilities along this popular route.”

The initial round of Transforming Cities Funding is also supporting Hampshire County Council’s work to provide a two kilometre, three metre wide off-road shared use cycle/footway along Hut Hill. The scheme will extend Southampton City Council’s SCN5 route, providing a key link for cyclists travelling between Chandler's Ford and Chilworth. These developments come as the two authorities prepare to make the case for a share of the larger £1.2bn Transforming Cities Fund, with a final decision on funding anticipated by spring 2020. Further information about the Transforming Cities Bid can be found on the Connecting Southampton website.

The Avenue Cycle scheme - works details

Phase 1: The Avenue west-side footway from Banister Road to Cavendish Grove – from 7 October for up to six weeks

We will be improving drainage and resurfacing the existing shared footway.

Dropped crossings will be closed for several days while the works are carried out. There will be temporary narrowing of the footway, closure of the bus stop and a contraflow lane closure on The Avenue during the works.

Phase 2: Cavendish Grove junction with The Avenue – from 7 October for up to four weeks

We will be introducing a continuous crossing to give pedestrians and cyclists priority at the junction.

There will be a lane closure with contraflow on The Avenue. Access for Cavendish Grove will be maintained with temporary two-way lights but there will be no right turn out during the works.

Phase 3: Northlands Road junction with The Avenue – from 7 October for up to seven weeks

We will be making changes to the footway and kerbs and creating a new parallel or Tiger Crossing. This is similar to a Zebra Crossing but includes cyclists as well as pedestrians.

Due to the extent of the works, Northlands Road will be closed at this location. Access to Cemetery Road will be maintained with temporary two-way lights via Northlands Road.

Phase 4: Alma Road junction with The Avenue – from 28 October for up to four weeks

We will be creating a raised continuous crossing to give pedestrians and cyclists priority at the junction.

The Avenue Road junction will be closed for the duration of works but pedestrian access will be maintained.

Phase 5: The Avenue east-side footway from Lodge Road to Avenue Road – from 11 November for up to four weeks

We will be creating a segregated off-road cycleway and separate footway and replacing the grass verge with a resurfaced cycleway. Dropped crossings will be closed for several days while works are carried out.

Phase 6: Avenue Road junction with The Avenue – from 18 November for up to five weeks

We will be creating a raised continuous crossing to give pedestrians and cyclists priority at the junction.

The Avenue Road junction will be closed for the duration of works but pedestrian access will be maintained.

Phase 7: The Avenue footway from opposite Alma Road to Northlands Road – from 18 November for up to two weeks

We will reconstruct the footway to install a segregated cycle lane. This will require narrowing of the footway and lane restrictions on The Avenue.

Phase 8: The Avenue from Avenue Road to Alma Road – overnight works from 25 November for up to two weeks

We will be installing a segregated on-road one-way cycle lane. Works will take place from 8pm until 6am during weeknights. A contraflow will be in place along The Avenue overnight to maintain vehicle access during the works.

Phase 9: The Avenue from Cavendish Grove to opposite Alma Road – overnight from 9 December for up to one week

We will be installing a segregated on-road one-way cycle lane. Works will take place from 11pm until 6am during weeknights. The Avenue will be closed during the works, with signed diversion routes in place.

Phase 10: South from Avenue Road on The Avenue – overnight works from 16 December 2019 for up to one week

We will be creating a new crossing island for pedestrians and cyclists and laying new markings to designate the cycleway. Works will take place from 11pm until 6am during weeknights. The Avenue will be closed during the works, with signed diversion routes in place.

Christmas break: There will be no works or traffic management from 23 December 2019 until 5 January 2020.

Work will then recommence at The Avenue and Lodge Road junction on Monday 6 January 2020 for approximately nine weeks. This will include traffic signal upgrades, a shared cycle/footway and toucan crossing for Lodge Road as well as some footway resurfacing. A section of anti-skid surface will also be laid on The Avenue in the new year.