A road in Kingston will become the borough's first permanent low-traffic neighbourhood, following a vote by Surbiton Councillors last week.

King Charles Road, Berrylands, will keep its current traffic calming measures thanks to a decision by the Surbiton Neighbourhood Committee on 22 July.

The road closures, introduced in September last year have been divisive and respondents to Council polls were roughly split on whether they wanted the scheme to continue.

For example, 48.8% of 127 people living in the LTN area who responded to a Council survey on the measures being made permanent objected to the idea, compared to 46.5% who were in favour.

The split was more pronounced among respondents from the general Surbiton neighbourhood, with more than half (55.7%) of the 203 respondents opposing its continuation while 41.4% supported it.

Non-supporters were concerned about an increase in traffic on surrounding roads that they believe the scheme is causing, as well as delays and unclear signage.

But in response the Council says it has introduced more advanced signage and clearer road markings there.

According to Council data there have been traffic reductions on nearly all monitored roads in and around the LTN since the scheme was introduced, compared to pre-COVID levels.

And there has also been a 39% increase in cycling within the LTN (up from an average of 266 cyclists a week to 371) plus evidence of improvements in air quality on the LTN boundary roads.

The Council also says it is aware of increases in traffic on Browns Road, Hollyfield Road and Raeburn Avenue, and will continue to monitor traffic levels across the whole LTN area and review alternative traffic solutions to help address these issues.

There will also be additional traffic and air quality surveys and the creation of a traffic master plan as a condition of the scheme being made permanent.

Similar meetings reviewing the 2 LTNs in Kingston town centre will take place on 27 July.

You can read the full Council report on King Charles Road, including considerations on how the road closure affects emergency services, HERE

Read more about Low Traffic Neighbourhoods in general and in Kingston HERE

You can share feedback with the Council on the Let's Talk website.

Responding to the news, Councillor Stephanie Archer, Portfolio Holder for the Environment and Sustainable Transport at Kingston Council said:

"At Kingston Council we are committed to tackling climate change, improving air quality and enabling our residents and visitors to use sustainable travel options.

"We are passionate about rebuilding a greener and safer Kingston for everyone and our streets play a major role in this vision.

"Today we mark a significant milestone with approval granted for our first-ever permanent Low Traffic Neighbourhood scheme.

"During the trial period we have seen some really encouraging results with clear evidence of a range of improvements in the area, including a significant increase in active travel and traffic reductions on nearly all monitored roads in and around the scheme.

"We are delighted that this is becoming a pleasant space, where our residents can walk, cycle and shop locally and feel connected to our community.

"But it doesn't stop here and we want to make sure this scheme is as beneficial as possible for local people. If our residents have any suggestions or ideas for making this scheme more effective please do share them with us via Let's Talk.

"We will also be creating a traffic master plan for the Berrylands area, along with continued monitoring in and around the scheme to ensure all of our residents reap the full benefits of our first permanent LTN.

"Alongside LTNs the council continues to invest in school streets and cycle training, along with its award-winning cycle network. It is also introducing more electric vehicle charging points to make it easier for those who need to drive to make the switch to electric vehicles."