Introduction of social distancing measures on Mitcham Road

Overview

As part of the Covid-19 response, the Council is introducing temporary measures to create more space for people to walk and cycle safely, and assist with social distancing on Mitcham Road.

The measures are shown here and the main ones include:

• Cycle lanes
• Bus lane hours of operation to be extended to 24 hours, 7 days a week. This is expected to increase availability to cycles. Although loading will not be permitted on the bus lanes with the extended hours of operation, additional loading facilities will be provided on the side roads.

The measures will be delivered via an Experimental Traffic Order (ETO)

What is an Experimental Traffic Order?

ETOs are used to deliver immediate and short-term measures that require monitoring and further review giving the council the opportunity to trial measures.

The scheme could only be made permanent via a Permanent Traffic Order following a formal decision by the council’s Strategic Planning and Transportation Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

Whilst there is no requirement for formal consultation in advance of introducing the temporary measures, there is a statutory 6-month period following implementation whereby anyone may comment in writing and all comments must be considered.

An ETO can be amended or withdrawn within the powers, but any approach to make the scheme permanent would require a Permanent Traffic Order to be made and this would need to be taken the Council’s Strategic Planning and Transportation Overview and Scrutiny Committee for review. 

The installation works are scheduled to commence on Thursday 20th August and are expected to be completed on Monday 24th August, weather permitting. The ETO will come into force on Monday 24th August.

Have your say

The Council is keen to hear the views of local residents and businesses throughout the trial period. If you have any comments regarding the measures, please submit these via the 'Your comments' link below.

If you require a paper copy of the survey or a different language/format, please contact Mena Bhatia on 020 8487 5338.