Making Lodge Road and Soundwell Road Safer

We're proposing road safety and accessibility improvements along Lodge Road and Soundwell Road. We're asking for your views on new pedestrian crossings, footway improvements and additional waiting restrictions.

This follows strong local support from residents and councillors calling for action to improve safety in the area.

Why are we proposing changes

Although a 20mph speed limit is already in place, many drivers continue to exceed it, particularly on the very wide section of Lodge Road. The speed and number of vehicles can make it difficult for pedestrians to cross this section of Lodge Road, particularly for vulnerable road users.

There are other locations on Lodge Road & Soundwell Road where pedestrian accessibility and visibility between road users is compromised.

Concerns regarding conflict between motorists driving in opposite directions on the narrow section of Soundwell Road between Broad Road and Two Mile Hill Road has also been raised.

In response to these concerns and requests from  the local community, we are proposing measures which aim to:

• Make it easier to cross the road
• Improve visibility for drivers and pedestrians at junctions
• Reduce the speeds of drivers
• Make walking, cycling, and driving safer and easier

What we are proposing

Our proposals include:

• Installing and upgrading dropped kerbs and tactile paving to help people cross the road. Tactile paving is a textured paving slab used on pavements to help blind and visually impaired individuals navigate public spaces safely. It provides vital physical and visual cues to warn of hazards or guide pedestrians along specific routes.
• Installing a pedestrian crossing island and narrowing the road lanes on the wide section between numbers 24 and 34 Lodge Road. This would substantially reduce the crossing distance and allow pedestrians to cross in two stages. The resulting narrower road width is also expected to reduce vehicle speeds at this location.
• Widening and repairing the existing pedestrian refuge island at the junction of Soundwell Road, nearby the café.
• Public realm improvements at various locations including tree planting and decorative planters to improve the street scene, provide shade and increase biodiversity. Suggested tree planting locations are shown on the drawings, any tree planting will be subject to the presence of underground utilities such as gas pipes, electric and telecommunication services.
• ‘Keep Clear’ road markings at the Two Mile Hill Road / Grantham Road junction. This would make it easier to exit Granthan Road at busy times of the day when traffic queues.
• Relocating the bus stop on the western side of Lodge Road to the south of Britton Gardens junction to accommodate the pedestrian refuge island and associated footway improvements.

Parking restrictions

Double yellow lines would be added at various locations to improve visibility and accessibility for all road users. Locations include:

• Lodge Road / May Street junction
• Lodge Road / Britton Gardens junction
• Lodge Road Ingleside Road junction
• Britton Gardens

Single yellow lines restricting parking at busier times of the day would be added to Soundwell Road in the vicinity of 462 to 472. Restricted times to match other single yellow lines on Soundwell Road.

Limited waiting restrictions would be added outside the café on Grantham Lane, to provide a turnover of short stay parking for customers and residents.

Map of proposals for Lodge Road, May Street and Britton Gardens (click to enlarge)

Map of proposals for Soundwell Road and Grantham Road (click to enlarge)