Update: RBKC to consult in October 2026 on their proposals to make the footpath safer

KEY POINT: Please look out for RBKC's consultation letter, and respond to it. RBKC officers have advised us that they plan to write to local residents in the next few weeks to consult on RBKC's proposals for making the dangerous footpath safer: a separate cycle ramp and an informal crossing point between Walmer Road and Portland Road. The consultation will run for six weeks. We have some initial reservations, set out below. When the consultation is issued we will post a further update with our views.

Draft RBKC design: see image above. This is a draft, so it may differ from the design RBKC sends out with the consultation. The image has been converted from RBKC's PDF to PNG format; the content is unchanged.

Our initial reservations. We are pleased that there is some movement from RBKC to address the problem, but we are disappointed at:

(1). the pace of the proposals;
(2). the uncertainty about funding. RBKC currently has no funding for the scheme, and the officer says only that they are "hopeful that TfL may consider funding the scheme in the next couple of years" (emphases added); and
(3). the fact that despite testing more than once, RBKC still cannot confirm whether or not tree roots would prevent the scheme being built.

RBKC officers advised as follows. "... The aim of the scheme being to encourage cyclists onto their own path and avoid conflict between pedestrians on the existing curved pathway.  The design has also been shared with Notting Dale ward Councillors. Officers are planning to consult on this scheme in the next few weeks.  The consultation will run for six weeks and local residents will be sent a letter with details of the proposal and how to respond to the consultation.  Once the consultation has closed, officers will review any concerns raised and provide an officer recommendation on how to proceed for the Executive Director of Environment and Residential Services to consider before reaching a decision on whether to proceed with the scheme.  As previously, we currently have no funding for the scheme and that is an obstacle we need to cross, but I am hopeful that TfL may consider funding the scheme in the next couple of years as part of their Cycleway network upgrades. Once again, the caveat also that we are also not completely clear that the scheme is deliverable on site because of the existing tree roots."