CYCLES lanes on one of Southampton's busiest roads are to be made permanent to protect pedestrians and make journeys safer.

The Avenue is set to undergo further improvements to encourage more people to take up walking or cycling, and support safer, more sustainable journeys in the area.

The plans will see the current temporary cycle lanes along The Avenue made permanent between Winn Road and the subway underpass on The Common.

A date for this has yet to be confirmed by the council. 

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The temporary lanes were installed last May to support social distancing and active travel as part of the council’s Covid-19 response, while also providing an opportunity to trial cycle facilities on this major route.

After a 15 month trial the lanes are now set to become a permanent feature of the SCN5 cycle route connecting Southampton city centre to Chandler’s Ford.

It comes as part of another key section of the Southampton Cycle Network (SCN).

New ‘quietways’ are being explored that aim to link cycle routes on side roads running parallel to The Avenue, while communities to the east and west of Bassett Avenue could also see new measures to improve the safety of walking and cycling in residential areas.

It follows other ongoing works to enhance access for people walking and cycling along The Avenue between Westwood Road and Highfield Road are also due to complete in the first week of September.

Work is set to start to make the existing on-road cycle lanes permanent between Winn Road and the subway.

Councillor Jeremy Moulton, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Growth, said: “I’m excited to announce this comprehensive package of improvements for walking and cycling, both on The Avenue and in the surrounding communities.

"This supports our commitment to investing in sustainable travel, while ensuring that we keep our major routes flowing and get Southampton moving as we emerge from the pandemic.

"This is a balanced approach which represents a real win-win for local residents and all road users travelling along this major route in to and out of the city.”