Healthy Streets

The Healthy Streets indicators are helping inform improvements to our neighbourhoods so that they offer travel choices that are greener and healthier for current and future generations. 

In North Kingston, the Kingston and North Kingston Neighbourhood committee has agreed to trial a one-way system for King’s Road, between Queens Road and Park Road and New Road for up to 18 months will began on 29 January 2024. The aim of the scheme is to  address road safety issues, tackle congestion, reduce speeding and conflict between cars and cyclists, reduce through traffic and improve wider road safety for residents, cars, cyclists, pedestrians using the local area and visiting Richmond Park.  

We are asking our community to give their views on the one-way system and the measures included to maintain safe speeds and visibility throughout the area. You can also comment about other measures you would like to see in the area.  Read more about the one-way scheme and complete the survey on Kingston Let’s Talk. 

Over the past few years, we have worked with our community to make improvements to the neighbourhood that makes walking and cycling more attractive, including creating school streets for Alexandra School and St Paul’s CofE Primary School. 

Frequently Asked Question - North Kingston Healthy Streets trial one-way system 

Where will the one-way system be installed?

King’s Road, between Queens Road and Park Road, will become one way towards Queens Road with cycling permitted to cycle in both directions. New Road will become a one way street towards Park Road. In New Road cyclists will need to keep the same direction. See a plan of the changes. 

When will the restrictions be put in place? 

The trial will start on 29 January 2024 when the ETMO - Experimental Traffic Management Order - which is the legal change needed to run the trial will come into force. The street signage will be put in place in advance and covered until it is needed. Advance notices will be in place too. 

How long will the trial be in place?

The trial can last up to 18 months (up to June 2025) However, it may be modified and/or made permanent within this period. The Kingston and North Kingston Committee will make decisions on the future of the scheme based on data and your feedback. 

How can I share my experience of the trial scheme?

During the trial you can use our survey on our engagement platform, Kingston Let’s Talk, to give your views on the scheme. This is the quickest way to get your feedback to us. Visit kingstonletstalk.co.uk/highways-and-transport/north-kingston

What will happen to my feedback? 

Our team will read all the feedback provided and will analyse the responses we receive. The trial can be in place for up to 18 months and changes can be made to the scheme in response to feedback and data during the first six months. 

I want to formally register my support or my objection, how do I do this?

You will need to email or write to us. Email tmo@kingston.gov.uk, or write to Traffic Order Section, Guildhall 2, Kingston upon Thames, KT1 1EU.  Use the reference ‘P335 – King’s Road and New Road’. Any formal objection or comment you make in this way, must be considered by the Kingston and North Kingston Neighbourhood Committee in making any decision about the future of the scheme.  

I have other ideas for improving travel in North Kingston, how do I share these?

The form has space for you to write your ideas about other changes to improve the neighbourhood. Please tell us what you think would help make your neighbourhood a safer and more pleasant place to move around. 

A one-way system could increase the opportunities for traffic to speed, what will be done to reduce this?

Six speed humps will be installed in the one way system, three in each road, to encourage traffic to maintain slow speeds on these roads without the conflict from oncoming traffic. 

How has the positioning of these speed humps been decided?

We have spaced the speed humps to provide the most effective limitation to vehicle speed along the full length of the road. The speed hump positioning will not affect parking availability in the road.  

What data has been collected and where can I view it? 

We have collected a range of data. If you want more information please contact us. 

A one-way system has been put forward previously and decided against. Many residents said they didn’t want it. Why are you going ahead with a trial now? 

Concerns about safety in the neighbourhood remain. Our previous engagements in the area have always reflected a variety of views from residents. Putting the measures in as a trial will allow us to analyse the difference a one way system makes, and consider if this is the most suitable solution from real world changes in driver, cyclist and pedestrian behaviour recorded in our data collection and your feedback. Involving only King’s Road and New Road, this route is smaller than the previously proposed route. 

What are Healthy Streets?

The healthy streets approach is an international set of indicators designed to put people at the centre of neighbourhood design and make our streets welcoming to the whole community.  Read more about healthy streets. In Kingston we are using healthy streets to improve our streets. 

What other measures have been taken in the area already?

In recent years the North Kingston neighbourhood has benefited from the introduction of two school streets encouraging healthier travel to school by cycle, or on foot and the expansion of 20mph zones.

 
Why isn’t a wider range of measures being proposed now?

We are keen to hear your ideas for improving the neighbourhood. You can share your views in our survey.