Plans to revamp Tolworth Broadway and build a green pavement down the middle of the road have been welcomed by businesses.
The designs, unveiled this week, involve the unpopular central barriers being torn down and replaced with a 500 metre “greenway”.
Traders are optimistic the £2.1m project will attract shoppers back to the area and provide a vital boost for the Broadway.
A footbridge would be built through the A3 roundabout, the adjacent grass area would be spruced up and the greenway will continue down to Tolworth station.
Urban designer David West, from Studio Egret West, said the emphasis would be placed on pedestrians, not cars, and people will be able to cross the road anywhere they wish.
When asked if this would be safe, Jay Judge, major projects manager at Kingston Council, said drivers coming off the A3 would instantly slow down because the lanes were narrower, but signs and speed bumps could also be used.
The plans were presented to residents and businesses earlier this week and the council will seek feedback before finalising the plans and bidding to Transport for London.
If all goes to plan, work would start in April 2011 and be finished six months later.
Solicitor Duncan Brown, who has worked on Tolworth Broadway since 1992, joked that he would gladly hack the barriers down himself.
He said: “The central barrier has been instrumental over the years in destroying the success of the Broadway. Now, we only have fast food and charity shops and not much else, whereas before it was a vibrant Broadway that you could cross to buy shoes or clothing.”
Mustafa Resa, owner of State Express dry cleaners, approved of the plans when he saw them on Monday but wanted more on-street parking bays.
The idea was based on similar schemes in Kensington High Street and The Strand, but the Kingston “greenway” would be even wider, at four metres in some points.
A second phase of the project could involve the green walkway being extended further southwards and the subway under the roundabout filled in to address concerns about public safety.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here