Strengthening Portobello Road consultation
Road Safety
The Council is required to ensure the safety of market crowds.
Therefore, we need to install defensive vehicle barriers at each junction. We have listened to the community and chosen the solution with the least impact to market operations and resident access.
We are also proposing to improve pedestrian safety at junctions as we heard that some people do not realise that side streets reamin open to traffic during market hours.
Residents also want improved paving and road surfaces for better accessbility and to reduce tripping hazard.
Click the button below to find out more about draft proposals for:
- Traffic barriers
- Safer junctions
- Pavement and road surfaces
Click here to find out more about draft proposals
Traffic barriers
We heard that community members want:
- Increased safety during market hours without interfering with the functioning of the market
- Preference for sliding bollards that don’t obstruct the flow of pedestrians
- Allow access for emergency vehicles and permit holders
We propose:
- Minimal and effective traffic barriers that can also defend against dangerous vehicles
- Install sliding barriers operated automatically to ensure access for emergency vehicles and those with permits, such as disabled residents, traders and deliveries
- The sliding barriers will only be active during market hours
Safer junctions
We heard that community members want:
- Safer junctions as pedestrians don’t realise side streets remain open during market hours
We propose:
- Wider pavements and levelled surfaces to slow down traffic and increase pedestrian accessibility and safety
- Ensure traffic calming measures like raised crossings do not undermine drainage
- Opportunity for new water fountains, trees, wayfinding signage, and cycle stands at junctions
Pavement and road surfaces
We heard that community members want:
- High quality, ‘grippy’, accessible and well-maintained surfaces
- Ensure Portobello still looks like a road, in-keeping with the identity of the market
- Retain kerbs and avoid single level pavement and carriageway
- Avoid ‘funky designs’ although subtle design to promote wayfinding is accepted
We propose to:
- Retain kerb, parking bays and market pitches
- Repave pavements, parking bays, carriageway, market pitches, and junctions in new materials
- Ensure dropped kerbs on opposite sides match for better accessibility