The proposed "Riverside Boardway"
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The Riverside Boardway, formerly called the "Thames Boardway" is part of the Go Cycle programme, formerly called Mini Holland.
First mentioned in 2013, scheme went in ‘Stakeholders Consultation Meeting’ in October 2015. The current plan on the RBK website is to undertake a public consultation during mid 2017 (anticipated) This scheme is still at an early "ideas" stage. But the basic concept of floating a cycle way along the Thames between the Bridge and Portsmouth Road is concerning and dividing many residents. Timeline • public consultation during mid 2017 (anticipated) • construction could start early 2018 (anticipated) • construction could complete autumn 2018 (anticipated) |
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Latest: Public consultation 2016
Consultations - as of July 2016 the 'Riverside Boardway' was earmarked for a future public consultation.
Concerns
Here are some of the concerns. This should not be about cyclists vs non cyclists. This should be about understanding how this part of the riverside succeeds as a public space, and understanding how the unique qualities of this area contributes to our quality of life. For residents, the Kingston Riverside is a wonderful destination to go to. To take in the river views and unwind, to stroll, eat, drink, to sit and relax, to be calm and to enjoy the sun and the river scene.
1) Harmful to the riverside as a destination
Kingston Riverside is a “popular place to sit and watch the life of the river go by” and “at weekends the river is full of activity – rowers, skills, sailing and passing cruisers making for a magical scene ” - The Thames Landscape Strategy (TLS)
RBK should be developing Kingston Riverside as a destination not as a town centre by-pass for cyclists. No one is going to visit Kingston in order to watch cyclists going by in the river!
2) Unsafe for the public
What will happen when the river is in full flow and the Boardway is flooded? How will RBK keep drunken revelers off the Boardway late at night? Sadly, one or two people drown in the river at Kingston each year and the Boardway will do nothing to improve safety.
3) Unacceptable and unsustainable encroachment into the river.
The river is not wide enough to sustain this level of encroachment. It will compromise its practical and leisure effectiveness
4) Not fit for purpose
How will it float up and down yet maintain multiple connections with routes into the market place? How will it remain clear of pedestrians for cyclists - duck feeders and people who naturally want to be close to the water? How will slippery water-foul excrement be managed ?
5) High maintenance costs
6) Poor consultation
Not enough people have been consulted, consultations have not been well publicized, nor have they been effective. Feedback is not being listened to.
7) Alternatives not fully explored
The proposal to put a cycle track in the river at Kingston has been presented as if there is no alternative. This is clearly not the case. Planners should not be mesmerized by an artist impression. Alternatives should and must be explored.
1) Harmful to the riverside as a destination
Kingston Riverside is a “popular place to sit and watch the life of the river go by” and “at weekends the river is full of activity – rowers, skills, sailing and passing cruisers making for a magical scene ” - The Thames Landscape Strategy (TLS)
RBK should be developing Kingston Riverside as a destination not as a town centre by-pass for cyclists. No one is going to visit Kingston in order to watch cyclists going by in the river!
2) Unsafe for the public
What will happen when the river is in full flow and the Boardway is flooded? How will RBK keep drunken revelers off the Boardway late at night? Sadly, one or two people drown in the river at Kingston each year and the Boardway will do nothing to improve safety.
3) Unacceptable and unsustainable encroachment into the river.
The river is not wide enough to sustain this level of encroachment. It will compromise its practical and leisure effectiveness
4) Not fit for purpose
How will it float up and down yet maintain multiple connections with routes into the market place? How will it remain clear of pedestrians for cyclists - duck feeders and people who naturally want to be close to the water? How will slippery water-foul excrement be managed ?
5) High maintenance costs
6) Poor consultation
Not enough people have been consulted, consultations have not been well publicized, nor have they been effective. Feedback is not being listened to.
7) Alternatives not fully explored
The proposal to put a cycle track in the river at Kingston has been presented as if there is no alternative. This is clearly not the case. Planners should not be mesmerized by an artist impression. Alternatives should and must be explored.
Further reading
Here are some links we have come across, both for and against. (Please let us know if we have missed anything)
"Councillor David Cunningham, lead member for transport and environment, defended the plans, saying: “It is not a scheme to encourage cycling to the detriment of other road users.”
Committee chairman, councillor Richard Hudson, also chose to emphasise that the scheme wasn’t just about cyclists. “This scheme is there to benefit pedestrians and motorists as well as cyclists, and everyone will have the opportunity to give their opinions during the four-week consultation period.”
- See more at: road.cc : news : kingston-cyclists-unimpressed-mini-holland-plans
reedwatts.com : kingston-riverside
Some compare this with a boardway scheme in Brisbane Australia: briscycle.com : riverwalk-up-and-running
- kingston.go.uk project Riverside boardway
- kingston.gov.uk: news :go_cycle
- kingston.gov.uk : news :bike_rides_on_the_river_in_council_s_futuristic_cycling_vision
- kingston.gov.uk : downloads : a_cycling_vision_for_everyone
- guardian.co.uk news :Riverside_Broadway_phase_of_mini_Holland_running_a_year_behind_schedule
- steerdaviesgleave.com : news: helping-secure-funding-transform-cycling-kingston
- road.cc : news : kingston-overhauls-mini-holland-plans-after-criticism
- road.cc : news :kingston-cyclists-unimpressed-mini-holland-plans
- lcc.org.uk discussion : what-are-your-views-on-the-proposed-thames-boardway-at-kingston
"Councillor David Cunningham, lead member for transport and environment, defended the plans, saying: “It is not a scheme to encourage cycling to the detriment of other road users.”
Committee chairman, councillor Richard Hudson, also chose to emphasise that the scheme wasn’t just about cyclists. “This scheme is there to benefit pedestrians and motorists as well as cyclists, and everyone will have the opportunity to give their opinions during the four-week consultation period.”
- See more at: road.cc : news : kingston-cyclists-unimpressed-mini-holland-plans
reedwatts.com : kingston-riverside
Some compare this with a boardway scheme in Brisbane Australia: briscycle.com : riverwalk-up-and-running
Page updated on 25 Jan 2017