A CYCLING action group has come up with proposals to improve the lot of Alton bike riders.

Cycle Alton – “an informal network of individuals who wish to facilitate cycling” – aims to promote cycling as the natural choice for short journeys in the town and from surrounding villages.

It wants the views of residents and businesses on the daytime trial of three town centre options as part of the government’s requirement for councils to enable social distancing and encourage active travel.

The group has discussed the options with Alton Town Council, East Hampshire District Council and Hampshire County Council.

One will see the town centre closed to motor vehicles from the Crown Hill-Church Street junction to the Lady Place car park entrance and create a “piazza-style feel.’’

People could walk, socialise, visit pavement cafés, enjoy street musicians and maintain social distancing, but buses and cyclists would be allowed through the area.

Option two is to remove on-street parking, but let buses and cars travel through the town centre. The Market Street to Turk Street section would be kept for buses and parking bays would become a contraflow cycle lane.

The last option is to remove on-street parking and close High Street to cars from the Lady Place car park entrance to Turk Street. The Market Street to Church Street section of High Street would have a contraflow cycle lane. Buses and cars could use Market Street and Lenten Street, and buses would be re-routed as on market days.

In all three cases extra seating, planting and bike parking are planned, mostly in former parking bays.

Cycle Alton believes cars displaced from High Street’s short-term free bays could use car parks by the town centre, which have a total of 760 spaces. But its vision also includes moving taxi ranks and spaces for people with disabilities into the car parks.

Spokesperson Janice Montgomerie said: “The idea is that street spaces should be designed around the needs of people rather than the motor car.

“There is plenty of evidence that well-planned public spaces boost trade and investment as people feel relaxed, safe from traffic and are more likely to linger, with lower pollution levels enhancing health and wellbeing.

“Cycle Alton hopes a scheme can be implemented which has the support of most town centre businesses and Altonians, and which enhances Alton town centre as a go-to destination which people choose to visit.”

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