Waterfront cycle access confusing
Comments at Cycle Ipswich meeting:
* Westbound cycling is confusing as you currently technically need to ride on the pavement.
* Are vehicles really needed along here?
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Created by Shaun McDonald // 2 threads
Comments at Cycle Ipswich meeting:
* Westbound cycling is confusing as you currently technically need to ride on the pavement.
* Are vehicles really needed along here?
Letter for TfL, copied to RCC, by local resident:
I am a resident of the Dover House Estate area and regularly use the crossroads of the Upper Richmond Road (A206) with Roehampton Lane and Rocks Lane (A306) as pedestrian, cyclist and/or car driver. There are three major issues with this junction which need to be addressed.
The first is the pedestrian crossings, which are poorly timed/synchronised and inadequate. There is a significant volume of pedestrian traffic to and from the station and bus stops and the university, yet to cross the road safely using the crossings can easily add 5 mins to the journey. This is mainly as there are push button crossings on only two of the four arms of the junction, a third having provision to cross which requires too much calculated risk (and insufficient island space considering the probability of standing in the middle for some time), and the fourth having no sensible provision at all. There is a high proportion of children using the crossing - with buggies, scooters, bikes, and on the south west corner insufficient pavement space for the volume of pedestrian traffic at peak times. The timing/synchronisation of the green men requires pedestrians to stand in the middle islands for an overly long period of time - during which time they cannot help but notice the very high level of exhaust fumes. Given that the only traffic flowing south along the A306 and allowed to turn right on to the A205 is buses and cycles, the extended wait for the green man in the middle of the A205 to head south seems unnecessary. Heading north there is a similarly unnecessary wait for the green man, as motorised traffic heading east along the A205 is also at a red light while that heading north on the A306 is on green.
The second major problem is the filter lane for motorists turning right off the A205 into the A306 to head north. This only operates at peak times, leaving motorists with a choice between being stuck in the middle waiting for a second round of lights or skipping through an amber or red light (frequently even though they were first in the queue). There is simply too much traffic heading east to not have the filter light operating for a greater part of the day. Even when the filter light is in operation it is for such an insufficiently short period that unless you are among the first three cars you are almost certainly going to wait for at least two rounds of lights - at peak times I have waited for the fifth round of lights. This in turn causes a tail back and high levels of air pollution.
The third major problem is the lack of cycle ways. There is a large number of cyclists on both these major roads but for something like a 500m radius around this junction there is no cycle way despite it bring both possible and dangerous without. The temporary narrowing of Barnes Station bridge only exacerbates the situation and since being put there some years ago seems to have been forgotten. This area is a real hole in the cycle way network and a blackspot considering the attractive options in every direction coming into/out of it.
The junction is an accident just waiting to happen on many levels. I would be grateful if you could me a detailed response to each of the points I raise with where at all possible a timetable for when they can each be expected to be resolved.
Created by Joe Adam // 4 threads
Arbury Road is proposed to be upgraded under the City Deal scheme.
In 2014 there was a consultation running on improving the Arbury Road near St Laurence Primary School.
Created by fishter // 2 threads
At the bottom of the hill there is a "chicane" for motor vehicles to negotiate. Northbound traffic must give priority to southbound traffic.
The chicane is formed by an island on the northbound side of the road. This island has a bypass to the left to allow cyclists to proceed despite oncoming traffic.
After a recent resurfacing of the road the markings for the cycle lane were omitted (see picture). This means that cyclists should now give priority to southbound traffic as the markings indicate they should not use the bypass.
Created by Jim Chisholm // 4 threads
There is now an Area Action Plan for the Northern Fringe East
This is a huge area, and if the Anglia Water Works site is also redeveloped it brings big oportunities and associated risks
The Campaign needs to be involved
Created by MJR // 1 thread
There's an OK cycleway alongside the Bawsey Drain from the Loke Road Junction but the link from the edge of the town centre 20mph zone isn't very good. The section between North Street and Loke Road involves negotiating your way across the multiple lanes of John Kennedy Road which is the northern approach to the town, or illegally using the narrow footway as many people do.
This section is crying out for one of the three or four lanes to be given back to cycling and walking and the 20mph zone to be extended to the north end of North Street.
I see Addenbrooke's have found a solution to all the bikes locked to the railings around by the front entrance.
Not, as you might hope, by providing more cycle parking, but by removing the railings.
I wandered around yesterday. There were 91 bikes parked outside of cycle rack spaces & 6 spaces free.
should be interesting for anyone who usually cant park in a cycle space over the next few days
:(
Richard
A fast road - dual carriageway in both directioms and with 6 lanes at one end. Speed limit of 30mph rarely respected - except in rushhour when speeds can be down to zero mph at times.
Cyclists can not cycle safely along either side of the road. Cars, lorries, busses etc are travelling too fast, with drivers jostling to change lanes, overtake busses or 'beat the lights'. The cyclists I see are on the pavement & I don't blame them - frankly the layout is not fit for cyclists. Fortunately the pavement is wide, there are few pedestrians and there is ample room for considerate cyclists to travel this way. More cyclists would use this roue if it was safer & if it joined up properly with Danebury Avenue & the other cycle routes in the area.
With the wide pavements & carriageway there is room for segregated cycle, pedestrian and motor vehicle routes. There may even be room for 'floating' bus stops. A zebra or Toucan crossing on the road would also reduce average speeds.
There are three strips of cobbles across NCN11 here, or maybe they're setts. It seems bad to have these on a cycle route because they are unpleasant for cycling and especially bad to put them so near a junction because rider attention should be on the junction and other road users, rather than man-made problems with the road surface.
Created by Cllr Ian Manning // 1 thread
This pinch point has always been an issue for anyone cycling North along Green End Road. The pavement suddenly becomes wider at the roundabout, forcing cyclists into conflict with cars.
Created by John Chamberlain // 3 threads
Camden are consulting on their plans to extend the Royal College Street cycle tracks to the south, down Pancras Road towards Kings Cross. Unfortunately, the plans for the junctions at St Pancras and contra-flow up Midland Road are not ready yet, so it will remain difficult to get to and from the south and east until these are finalised, but this is another link in the planned North-South route through the borough as part of the London Cycle Grid.
Details of the proposals can be found on Camden’s website at:
https://consultations.wearecamden.org/culture-environment/pancrasroad
For cyclists, the main proposals are as follows:
- Protected cycle lanes from Royal College Street to just south of Chenies Place.
- Removal of two bus-stops to make the cycle lanes continuous
- North-bound bus-stop converted to 'island' style.
- Southbound bus-stop uses Royal College Street style due to lack of road width.
- Additional protection for cyclists crossing Crowndale Road from Royal College Street.
You can reply to the consultation via Camden's website. Please also add your comments to the threads on this issue, or by email to john AT camdencyclists.org.uk . We have already had suggestions for improvements to the lane behind the bus-stop at Chenies Place. We will be saying that cyclists heading north to Royal College Street should use Goldington Crescent to avoid one set of traffic lights and the need to cross lanes. What else?
Our response needs to be in by 14th November so we'll take comments on board until the 7th.
Created by Al Storer // 1 thread
A lot of attention is given, especially by the council, to the radial routes. This is OK. But what about this key (partial) orbital?
Well lane has been blocked to through motor traffic creating a nice quietway for walking and cycling.
However where it meets Percival Road a dropped kerb has not been installed meaning that cycles, pushchairs and wheelchairs have to bump down to cross Percival.
A couple of dropped kerbs and perhaps a parking restriction would really open this up as a nice cycle quietway.
Martin Lucas-Smith // 1 thread
Bikes leaving the cul-de-sac, heading East, have to cross traffic twice. There is poor visibility and vehicles rat-run through the area.
With the North West Cambridge development coming forward, this problem will get worse in time.
The side roads that access the avenue are a danger to the users of the shared path. This is especially prevalent on the northbound side in the mornings. Cars seem to have two modes:
1) stationary avenue traffic - approach at speed and hit the anchors in time not to hit the queue
2) no queue on avenue - approach at speed hoping not to have to stop. Then go for it or again hit the anchors.
In both stopping cases this blocks the crossing for the cycle/pedestrian
Ideally there would be an advance giveaway line/colored tarmac to identify the possibility of crossing bikes/pedestrians
Created by David Earl // 0 threads
We (Cambridge Cycling Campaign) have received an invitation to this event: Commuting and Health – Research and Policy Forum
Wednesday 21 January 2015, 10.00am – 2.00pm
http://www.cedar.iph.cam.ac.uk/commuting-health-forum/
Free, but registration required.
"The way we travel can affect our health and the health of people around us. In the Commuting and Health in Cambridge study funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), researchers have been following the travel and physical activity patterns of commuters since 2009, seeking to understand more about why people use different modes of transport and how this is related to physical activity, health and wellbeing. A key aim of the study has been to assess the impact of new transport infrastructure in the form of the Cambridgeshire Guided Busway, which opened in 2011 and provides dedicated traffic-free facilities for buses, cyclists and pedestrians."
Created by Shaun McDonald // 1 thread
There are 3 main problems with this cycle route which would be easy to rectify:
* This cycle track is only signed from the retail park side, with no signage from the residential end of this link.
* The surface is pretty poor along here, especially if you have some shopping in panniers.
* There is also a problem with a gate part of the way along, which could pose a problem for people with a trailer or cargo bikes.
Photos:
http://www.mapillary.com/map/im/BMxiiFHdjmrrL0iqIx8WTw
http://www.mapillary.com/map/im/8Y-kQQoHYp0Y_Zjn4dziJw
Created by Shaun McDonald // 1 thread
Overview
Working together with interested parties - including cycling, pedestrian and motorised road user organisations – we have reviewed the design of a number of key junctions identified as having road safety or other significant issues for cyclists and / or pedestrians.
This junction was identified as having a particular cycle safety problem. We have therefore developed proposals to improve safety at the junction, in particular for cyclists.
The responses to this consultation will help inform our decsion making as to whether we go ahead with the scheme as proposed or make changes to the scheme.
Why We Are Consulting
Our review of this junction has shown that there is a road safety issue for cyclists, in particular those travelling northbound along the A21.
Our proposals for this junction are designed to improve sight lines to make it easier for cyclists, motorists and pedestrians to see each other and hence improve junction safety. In addition the opportunity will be taken to improve the informal pedestrian crossings to make these more visible and easier to use.
Our proposed improvements include:
Amended A21 and Oakley Road junction layout to bring the junction closer to a right angle – this will improve sight lines
The cycle lane on A21 north bound (towards Bromley) will be widened to increase the separation of cyclists from other road users.
Revised informal pedestrian crossings will be provided across Oakley Road and across A21 Hastings Road. A central island will allow roads to be crossed in stages. Informal crossing points offer pedestrians a safe point to cross, with tactile pavement for those with visual impairments.
The right turn from Hastings Road to Church Road, which is not currently physically possible, will be specifically prohibited. The revised junction layout would make this a possible manoeuvre but it would conflict with right turning traffic into Oakley Road from the north and would not be a safe movement.
We are not changing any other aspects of the junction. Traffic will still only be able to turn left (north) towards Bromley from Oakley Road, while Church Road will remain one way eastbound, with changes to the kerb layout to deter illegal movements.
The map below illustrates our proposals.
You can have your say on our proposals by following the link at the bottom of the page.
Created by BrianInBeeston // 0 threads
Proposed route of NCN 15 from Trent bridge to Clifton, following the south bank of the river Trent. The idea under discussion is for the route to be temporarily signed by Sustrans volunteer rangers in the first instance. there are also plans to sign an NCN 15 to NCN6 link route via Wilford Toll, Birdcage walk, Lenton Lane, Abbey St. NCN15 from Clifton westwards to East Midlands parkway station can be signed once the A453 works are complete.
Martin Lucas-Smith // 31 threads
It is important that we engage with the candidates at each election, scrutinise their views, and press for their commitments to cycling.
Created by David Earl // 1 thread
'Except cycles' plates missing on No Left/Right turn signs at Mackenzie Road and Stockwell Street, and shared-use signs missing on Perne Road between Natal Road and Brookfields
Created by David Earl // 2 threads
The new franchise for the Kings Cross rail line started recently. We have been sent a letter of introduction.
Created by MJR // 1 thread
Basil Drive, Coriander Road and Bay Walk are residential streets that probably should be a 20mph zone, at least to avoid sat-nav routing cars that way in preference to Rosemary Way.
Created by Hester Wells // 1 thread
"Following a request for a vehicular access outside of 27 Tenison Avenue it is
proposed to revoke a 5 metre length of Residents Parking Bay and replace it with
double yellow lines.
If you wish to object to any of these proposals you should send the grounds for
objection in writing to policyandregulation@cambridgeshire.gov.uk to reach us by no
later than 19th September 2014 quoting reference PR0147."
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Created by jpennycook // 1 thread
Area Estates are proposing to build a retail park on the former Smiths Industries site between Winchester Road and Harrow Way, in Basingstoke. This was formerly owned by Tesco, who failed to build a supermarket there.
No cycling access has been proposed, and the provision for cycle parking is inadequate - insufficient for customers, and none for staff.
Please submit feedback to the developer.
No planning application yet, but previous applications for the site are here: https://planning.basingstoke.gov.uk/online-applications/propertyDetails.do?activeTab=relatedCases&keyVal=H44MKACRLI568
Created by Andrew Woodward // 0 threads
Despite the cycle lanes being mandatory along this stretch the road layout is such that vehicles frequently intrude into the cyclelane - as this bus did.
White paint does not work on this stretch and some other segregation method is needed -eg a kerb; vertical posts or similar.
Created by Andrew France // 1 thread
It has an uneven degraded surface in the cycle lanes from the Elizabeth Way roundabout until the bridge.
Created by Eric Booth // 1 thread
Friend of mine uses a wheelchair & hand cycle and is blocked this gate on his way home. Would be great if we could get it opened for him. [Jack Small]
Created by Paul Bearpark // 1 thread
Objections to U&Cs outline planning application need to be submitted by 10 April. There seem to be some interesting ideas for improving cycling infrastructure but a lot that could be improved upon.
Created by Nicola Peck // 1 thread
This well-used trail is in desperate need of resurfacing. During spells of wet weather, it has large puddles at regular intervals and there is a particularly huge "mud bath" at the western end of Walton Dam just by the entrance to the woods. Currently (July 2014) the mud bath is reasonably, but not completely, dry but as recently as June it has been very muddy and was terrible over winter.
This is one of Chesterfield's major cycling routes and these conditions make it unreasonable to use it for transport journeys (ie. commuting and shopping) in normal clothes because the bike gets caked in mud and it splashes over your shoes and trousers, even with mudguards.
Alongside Walton Dam, I believe this path is supposed to be nominally 3 metres wide but vegetation has grown into the gravel surface making it significantly narrower (single file) in places.
The sloped tarmac section at the Walton Road end is suffering encroachment from overgrown vegetation and there is an unnecessary pinch-point part way down (a row of wooden posts) which could be opened up with perhaps only a single post if really necessary, or ideally none at all.
In Somersall Park, immediately to the south of the river bridge, there is a particularly rough patch of surface which, ironically, is the most recently resurfaced section of path. It's so incredibly rough that you have to be extra careful and slow if carrying delicate items like a laptop or fragile shopping (eg. soft fruit or eggs).
The busway cycleway is sometimes flooded in this section.
The County Council need to address this.
Created by Jon_B // 1 thread
The cycle link from Bramley Hill to Haslemere Drive has opened up a route via Lacey Street, Haslemere Drive and Bramley Hill as a much quieter parallel route to Woodbridge Road for cycles.
However, to proceed to North East Ipswich from here means cycling (or indeed walking or driving) via Woodbridge Road at the point where it crosses the railway line. There are no other crossings for a considerable distance to the North or South.
The land fronting Woodbridge Road to the North is currently for sale for residential development.
If this land is developed I believe that this should include an additional cycle and pedestrian bridge over the railway to Belvedere Road to open up access to the residential areas NE of this (as well as Sidegate Lane Primary School) without having to use Woodbridge Road.
Surfacing includes gravel and grit.
Cycle chicanes shown on diagrams.
Created by Robert Asher // 1 thread
Hello, I'm wondering how many other Cambridge cyclists have shared the experience I've had (about once per month now) regarding a particular elderly lady who insists that bikes are not allowed on the "footpath" adjacent to the Trumpington allotments, between Shelford Rd & the new busway in CB2. This path seems clearly demarcated as a shared pedestrian-cycle path on the cycle maps provided at the council link (below). However, it is not clearly labeled as such on the path itself, leading her to become quite angry with any cyclist who gets near her & her dog while they're out walking (and obstructing the path to underscore her point). "It's a footpath" she yells, and storms away.
So my questions are 1) am I correct in interpreting the council map (below) as permitting bikes on this path and 2) how might one go about requesting proper signage, clearly saying bikes & pedestrians are both welcome?
Thanks for any feedback, Robert
https://www.cambridge.gov.uk/sites/www.cambridge.gov.uk/files/documents/cambridge-cycling-map.pdf
Need to check this planning application for access issues. It proposes to make a new car entrance through a high wall across a pavement at the end of Chesterton Road.
The cycleway cut-through here is very poor currently.
Anon // 1 thread
The main HWRC depot which is out of bounds unless you turn up in a car offers a wide range of recycling opportunities. The pedestrian/cycle area directly of Hazel Court offers none of this other than the main recycling types that are available through household waste collections, and tin foil.
Its hardly acceptable to think that just because you're arriving by bike/foot you won't be able bring other items. All that happens is things either get wrongly sorted or left on the floor causing the area to become a state.
Created by Rob Archer // 1 thread
This is one of the most difficult and dangerous sections of the local cycle network. A point where cycle traffic to 2 local schools, a college and a local park all meet.
Fast heavy traffic
Very poor sight-lines
Cars parking over dropped kerbs
Any suggestions as to how it can be improved?
Created by Gregory Williams // 2 threads
This provides a flatter, shorter, and traffic-free alternative to the National Cycle Route 18 alignment via Sole Street.
Created by Dawes Jaguar // 0 threads
College Walk is in a terrible state and the ancient and totally obsolete street lamps no longer turn on at night and off during the day.
Created by Richard Jennings // 1 thread
The Avenues Shambles
Few people who live in the area will be happy with the situation on The Avenues. A couple of years ago the city won a grant to improve cycle routes around the city, called a “Cycle City Ambition Grant”. The first route to be improved was the one that came along the Avenues, known as the “Pink” route. After two years of planning, public meetings and proposals we are left with the dangerous inadequate mess we see today.
Why is The Avenues Special?
Far more bikes use The Avenues than any other road in the city, "nearly 700,000 in 2016 according to the Air Quality Status Report for 2018. Most are students at UEA or workers at the Hospital and Research Parks. It’s also the route hundreds of children should be using to cycle to the City Academy School, so the potential number of cyclists could be even higher if the road were not so dangerous. Logically it should have been the highest priority for providing proper cycle tracks, but it didn’t turn out like that.
Why is it bad?
The road markings only allow enough space for one direction of flow on a two way street, so if it needs to pass traffic has to drive in the cycle lanes and when it gets busy the cycle lane simply disappear. There is basically far too much traffic for this type of design.
Why did we end up with this mess?
That’s a good question but there are clues, take a look on Tombland and the expensive paving around the cathedral gate. All this meant there just wasn’t enough money left to build the proposed cycle tracks and the present botch is the result. The council decided that the cost of doing The Avenues didn’t represent good value for money, yet doing Tombland did. This is a very suspect situation which has left us with an unacceptable, dangerous mess that simply can’t be left as it is.
What can be done?
Created by Dominic Fee // 1 thread
This issue covers Westminster City Council's proposals for a Quietway route from Green Park to Marylebone
Created by Adam Edwards // 2 threads
Shared use cycle path under construction but delayed completion now set for the end of February 2016. The path with extend the route from Hatfield station up to the town centre and then via the not so good on road lanes to the University and Business Park.
Created by mike1727 // 1 thread
Traffic on the redbourn road is often fast and uncomfortable for novice/nervouse riders. The footpath running along Redbourn road sees few walkers and appears suitable for a conversion to a bike route. This is being progresses through the Herts Cycle Forum
Created by FrenchyF // 0 threads
There should be a dropped kerb at the foot of Braidwood Gate, leading to Dumbiedykes
I cycle past this junction a lot, and sometimes the lights are red so I wait and look at the lanes and wonder why they're like this.
Created by Ian Seeley // 0 threads
There is a tree stump about 3 feet high on the cycle track. It's particularly difficult to see at night when travelling east bound and should be completely removed and the cycle track resurfaced.