Delivery vehicles obstructing cycle routes
Delivery vehicles in Cambridge frequently obstruct cycle routes. I suggest we use this issue to keep track of the offenders (companies and locations) with separate threads for each location.
This section lists issues - problems on the street network and related matters.
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Created by Monica Frisch // 4 threads
Delivery vehicles in Cambridge frequently obstruct cycle routes. I suggest we use this issue to keep track of the offenders (companies and locations) with separate threads for each location.
Created by JonathanF // 1 thread
Place-holder for Corridor Cycleway Section 7 discussions
Created by David Earl // 1 thread
Planning application in this week's list for rebuilding the derelict shops on the south-west corner of the Perne Road roundabout (these have their own layby off the roundabout.
Created by Eric Booth // 0 threads
Cycle path is broken up by cars coming off the dual carriageway into the hotel (before a barrier). So a cyclist not only has to stop, but then turn around and look behind them for cars careening off the dual carriageway into the hotel.
Raised on CTC Infrastructure map http://www.ctc.org.uk/campaign/space-for-cycling/cycling-infrastructure/filton-holiday-express-inn
Approaching from the South, there is cycle only access across Handford Road to continue North along Portman Road (shown in the photo) which allows access, amongst other things, to the new crossing of Norwich Road at Barrack Corner.
However, the lights allow motor traffic to turn left or right (not straight on) on a green signal which creates significant risk of conflict and left-hooks for cycles going straight on.
Unless cyclists take a strong position at the junction in the centre of the lane there is a risk of left-hooks from cars turning left.
This is made worse by the fact that there is a marked cycle lane and ASL which tends to encourage cyclists into a dangerous position at the left hand side of the road.
It is possible to avoid this by leaving Portman Road and using the Toucan crossing to cross Handford Road, but this isn't mandatory for cycles and the "No Entry except Cycles" signage suggests that using the on-road route is the most obvious option.
This issue could be partially resolved by an advance "cycle only" filter phase on the traffic lights, but other than that I can't see any more effective solution than a sign which makes it clear how the road layout works (i.e. that cars may turn left or right, but that cycles may be proceeding straight on).
Created by charlie_lcc // 10 threads
A section by section discussion list for recording comments on the current 2014 consultation draft of the London Cycle Design Standards - LCDS
Created by charlie_lcc // 5 threads
The London Cycle Safety Action Plan 2 (CSAP2) draft is out for consultation. Deadline 25th July 2014
https://consultations.tfl.gov.uk/cycling/draft-safety-action-plan
Since the changes to Mare St at Westgate St some vehicles travel past the children's centre in Triangle Road, at excessive speeds, to avoid the traffic light at Mare St . Can Hackney Council add a restriction in Triangle Road.
Created by Richard Moss // 1 thread
The Over to Longstanton road is to be closed from 30 June 2014 for 9 weeks for reconstruction of Gravel Bridge.
Created by Paul L // 3 threads
Richmond Council say
"a signalised PUFFIN crossing with pedestrian countdown outside number 182 Kew Road (previously outside 180) Footway widening both sides of Kew Road. We have attempted to minimise the impact on the cycle lanes by introducing long tapers and following existing extended footways where possible. The kerb widening is essential to ensure sightlines to the signal heads past the many street trees."
We suggested cranked supports for the signals to avoid the loss of cycle lanes but they claim TFL disapproval.
Created by timlennon // 1 thread
Text of message from TfL:
All,
We are proposing to convert the current dual PUFFIN crossing at the above location to a dual TOUCAN crossing, formalising the facility for cyclists.
The initial design is attached, which includes localised resurfacing of footways and some carriageway works. A lighting assessment has also been undertaken which recommends a full lantern replacement of the columns retaining all lighting columns once structural testing has been completed and passed.
We also propose to extend the shared use footway further north on Marksbury Avenue and further south on Manor Grove to enable safer entry/exits for cyclists to the TOUCAN crossing.
The impact (if any) is currently being determined by Traffic Signals.
If you have any comments or suggestions, please let me have these by cop Friday 27th June.
Created by londoncycler // 1 thread
On the south (Southwark) side of the bridge just before the central section there is a very prominent ridge approximately one metre away from the kerb and running parallel to the bridge for some 30 metres. It is located exactly in the path of cyclists crossing the bridge who can be knocked off as they cross the ridge in either direction. In the dark and in the wet the ridge is very hard to see and cyclists may not see the ridge. The fault has been reported repeatedly in the course of more than 2 years to the local highway authority but no action has been taken. Can the highway authority explain why the ridge has not been removed?
Created by David Earl // 1 thread
The DfT have written to us with a proposed TRO to replace the sliproad from westbound A14 at Girton to southbound M11. This is also part of the widening scheme between Histon and Girton, but this aspect requires an order to give the lane motorway status. The main effect seems to be to lengthen the A14 part of the slip road to reduce queues on the main A14.
I don't think anything particular needs doing with this, so I don't plan to scan the correspondence, but if anyone wants if, please ask.
Preferred route to be signed as an alternative to Chilwell High Road agreed between City, Broxtowe and County Councils.
Created by MJR // 2 threads
Some of (the last of?) the s106 money from two out-of-town big box supermarkets is being used to remodel the connections between the bus and rail stations. National Route 1 runs through this area and the bus station may also be Lynn's biggest cycle park, so there's quite a lot of potential for this to do good - or to do harm.
Created by Charlie Halliday // 1 thread
Notices have recently been put up by the Blackwater Valley Countryside Partnership on the section of the Blackwater Valley Path which passes through Hollybush Lakes near North Camp station.
Although there is a legal agreement to use this stretch as a footpath, there has never been one to permit cycling there and the owner is quite within his rights.
This is not a historic route, there is no sign of it on my 1956 OS map.
The Blackwater Valley Countryside Partnership is trying to resolve this but the cycling route may have to be diverted.
Area Committees are a joint meeting attended by both city and county councillors. They decide on planning issues in the area, but also have a role in the allocation of community development money from S106 contributions. They offer an opportunity to engage with multiple councillors at once, through the Open Forum section and speaking on specific Agenda items. The East Area's website is here: https://www.cambridge.gov.uk/west-central-area-committee
Speaking at these meetings is a good way of making your feelings on matters the councils control public
As discussed between local cycling organisations there is a desperate need for a signed route which avoids Chilwell High Road where there have been a number of accidents now tram tracks are laid in places. This route also avoids Beeston High St which is a lengthy dismount section from 9-5. This route supersedes the previous northerly route. A southern avoiding route has also been plotted on cyclescape
Created by Jean Dollimore // 1 thread
The proposals seek to improve road safety on the streets surrounding Regents High school in Somers Town which is being rebuilt. This school is labelled "South Camden Community School" on the map.
The consultation is on Camden's website at:
Currently the school is accessed from Charrington Street but the new building is going to face the other way and will be accessed via Chalton Street. Therefore most of the proposal are related to making a new school entrance and building out the footways in Chalton Street while taking them away in Charrington Street. All of this is clearly necessary, but doesn't appear to add to road safety.
The council also proposes a new speed table at the junction of Chalton Street and Aldenham Street. This would help with road safety.
Cyclists are already concerned with the rat-running on Ossulston Street; this quite likely accesses Eversholt Street via Chalton Street. Surely we should ask for this rat running to be prevented both for the safety of the cycle route and for children going to Regents High School?
Created by Peter Loader // 0 threads
The Maple Cross to Rickmansworth cycle route is one-way along Berry Lane (between Church Lane and Field Way, Mill End).
Anon // 0 threads
There is currently no secure locks provided at Port Rodie bus stop, the main departure stop for buses eastwards towards Dumfries and Carlisle.
There is a very poor road surface on the left hand northbound lane of Stockport Road (A6) after the Plymouth Grove junction.
This is dangerous as if you bear left it encourages traffic behind you to sneak past you, if you go through it can damage your bicycle or even cause you to come off, if you bear right brings you into direct conflict with traffic which often wants to merge into the right hand lane.
The solution is very simple, resurface this small section of road.
Created by Peter Loader // 0 threads
Transport Initiatives LLP is an independent transport planning consultancy. They have carried out an audit for Three Rivers District Council classifying roads, paths and crossings in terms of the UK National Cycle Training Standard (Bikeability) Level needed to be able to ride in comparative safety. The results can be seen on Three Rivers District Council's web site.
Transport Initiatives have classified the roundabout at M25 Junction 17, the adjacent Maple Cross Roundabout, and the dual carriageway between them as Level 3.5, i.e. "Roads & crossings with a very high level of risk, unsuitable for even highly experienced cyclists".
For detailed documentation, please see
http://www.threerivers.gov.uk/Default.aspx/Web/CyclingInformation
and download
Maps by area|Maple Cross
plus
Cycling safety audit|CSNA Leaflet
Following closely the route of an old railway line between Colchester and Brightlingsea this proposed route would link Colchester to Walton-on-the-Naze. It provides a much needed commuter route out of Brightlingsea linking it safely to Wivenhoe, the University of Essex and Colchester and creates a new leisure route in a holiday district. It builds on the existing four mile NCN51 route from Colchester to Wivenhoe by adding 5 miles off-road to Brightlingsea via a new river crossing at Alresford Creek. From there it utilises an existing pleasant frequent summer ferry crossing to Point Clear and creates a 25 mile coastal route much of it off-road.
Created by Gary // 0 threads
To improve safety after numerous fatal car accidents the Highways Agency are currently implementing speed restrictions but are also designing a new roundabout for the A120 near Pellens Corner/Horsley Cross. NCN51 passes nearby. Cyclists don't generally want to cycle the A120 but we do have to cross it to get across Tendring District. Roundabouts are particular hard for cyclists to use on A roads. So will the Highways Agency proposal include the needs of cyclists? http://www.highways.gov.uk/roads/road-projects/A120-Pellens-Corner-Average-Speed-CamerasSafety-Improvements
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Created by Chris Peck // 1 thread
Route betweeen NCN 22 and Waverley Abbey - alternative to major road.
Created by cobweb // 43 threads
"The Greater Cambridge City Deal was signed by Central Government, Council leaders, businesses and the University of Cambridge and aims to secure hundreds of millions of pounds for the areas of Cambridge City and South Cambridgeshire.
The Greater Cambridge City Deal aims to ensure that the success of the area continues by investing in the transport infrastructure, housing and skills needed to see future economic growth.
The first £100m of funding will be made available for transport improvements in the five years from April 2015."
Created by Kevin Ablitt // 0 threads
When traffic backs up on Spring Road from the Grove Lane lights motor vehicles cut through via Bartholomew Street, Alexandra Rd, Warwick and Lancaster Roads to Palmerston and then onto St Helens.
They travel fast and a group of five or more motor vehicle drivers copying each other is not unusual, at peak times.
To protect the residents of these narrow streets, filtered permeability would seem to be the only answer.
Created by Caroline Page // 1 thread
Eastbound cyclists wishing to avoid the double roundabout at this point are routed onto the pavement, across the exit for the Shell garage (often to the surprise of exiting drivers), and then (still across pavement) onto a piece of decommissioned road used as access and double-sided parking for a parade of shops. This road has a separate car entrance from the roundabout.
Its a lethal combination -I have personally once been hit by a car turning fast from the roundabout on the road entrance as I entered it from the bike route. The driver was very angry because it was my fault that she didn't look out for me. You then have to cycle between two sets of parked cars/vans: there are frequent hazards: suddenly opened doors, people reversing/leaving the parking place without looking behind.
At the end, the cyclist is signed again onto pavement heavily used by schoolchildren/old people at the eastbound Heath Road Roundabout bus stop, before being routed back onto the road along the pull-off for the bus itself.
My personal view is that this scheme has been created and signed by a maniac
Bike users can turn right and cycle contra flow using a very narrow on road cycle path. Motorised traffic cannot do this, Park Road is one way to motorised traffic. Traveling down Queens Road there is no signage to suggest that bike users can turn right. Once into Park
Road there is awkward raised 'island' to manoeuvre around. Suggest signage saying right turn for bikes only and reconsider design of Island to make it less of an obstacle.
Created by Andy Allan // 0 threads
Heading southbound from New Malden along Malden Road, there is a segregated bike path for most of the route between the Fountain Roundabout and the A3. Unfortunately it ends around 100m before the A3 junction, and bikes are forced back onto the busy A2043.
It would be a good idea to link the bike path along the A2043 to paths around the roundabout, to make a joined up route.
Other than two sheffield stands in the train station there is no secure cycle parking available in Buxton. This is discouraging people from travelling to this tourist hotspot by bike.
Created by Adam Edwards // 1 thread
Map shows the route which Hertfordshire are upgrading as part of the Hatfield to Rail Station link footpath works. The plan is just for enhanced lighting, when what really should be done is to make this shared use.
Cyclists would then use the exisiting route from the station up French Horn Lane, push accross the Puffin crossing (or cycle on road), use the stub road to the phone exchange and then go shared us to the Toucan crossing to the Market Place. That is the start of the on and off road cycle route to the University and De Havilland Village, the Alban Way and beyond.
Without this link cyclists have to use Queensway and turn at the large fast two lanes wide roundabout at the junction with Wellfield Road. This is a major deterrnet to use.
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.
Created by Stephan Matthiesen // 0 threads
Road was converted to one-way recently, forcing cyclists from Kings Buildings out onto busy West Mains Rd where previously they could cycle within the campus to the toucan at the NE corner.
Created by Jack Thurston // 0 threads
The four-way junction at Cross Street / Monk Street is dangerous for cyclists, with large vehicles making the turn, crossing onto the other side of the road. It is even more dangerous for pedestrians. There are no pedestrian crossings provided at this crossing requiring pedestrians to walk a very long way around to get from one side of Cross Street to the other, or to take a chance by crossing through the motor traffic.
Martin Lucas-Smith // 2 threads
Demolition of ancillary buildings and removal of 1930's facade at the grade II listed Cambridge Union Society. Construction of replacement facade, reinstatement and refurbishment of historic features and internal and external access and refurbishment works including enlargement of existing cafe (use class A3) and re-opening of 'footlight's' entertainment space (sui generis). Demolition of squash courts and un-listed 3-5 Round Church Street in the conservation area. Construction of new link building for access and ancillary uses for the Union Society. Construction of adjacent new building with ground floor restaurant (use class A3) with 41 room post-graduate student accommodation above (use class C2) together with basement storage and services.
Cambridge Union Society 9A Bridge Street Cambridge Cambridgeshire CB2 1UB
Application reference : 16/0673/FUL
Also a Listing Building Consent application: 16/0674/LBC Demolition of ancillary buildings and removal of 1930's facade at the grade II listed Cambridge Union Society
Created by John Chamberlain // 1 thread
For the last year Torrington Place and Tavistock Place have had segregated cycle tracks on both sides of the street. This consultation is about making the current trial arrangement permanent. The current lightly segregated tracks would mostly become stepped tracks and there would be other improvements to junctions as well as increased space for pedestrians. There is a lot of local support but also significant opposition, mostly from residents of Judd and other streets where motor traffic volumes have increased. We think this can be corrected by the (separate) proposed changes to Judd Street and at Brunswick Square.
It's important that all cyclists and others in favour respond using the website below. Otherwise we are in danger of losing this flagship facility. You don't have to live in Camden but you do need to provide an address and postcode.
Created by Stephan Matthiesen // 0 threads
Need proper bicycle racks in front of Margiotta (there are a few wheelbenders in a corner)
Created by Cycling Dumfries // 1 thread
At the moment there are toucan crossings from the Whitesands up to the High Street past the lower entrance to the Loreburne Centre (where the buses stop) but there is no actual cycle path so you end up illegally on the pavement. It would be a useful route otherwise, as long as cyclists can get past the bus stops (and waiting bus passengers).
Kate Ravilious // 1 thread
no cyclist ever uses this junction as the engineers intended. It doesn't function well and is dangerous. Needs reviewing.
Created by Sam Saunders // 1 thread
Northumberland Road (part of Concord Way at this point) has been deliberately narrowed to allow pedestrians to cross between the footbridge and the Sports Centre and a cycle lane marking has been placed to one side of the narrow gap. The gap, however, is not wide enough to allow a car and a bicycle to go safely through the pinch point at the same time. A cyclist needs to take the centre of the lane, or pull over and wait for vehicles to pass.
Either the carriageway should be re-widened (preferred) or the cycle lane indicator should be removed.
Created by Peter Loader // 0 threads
The Maple Cross to Rickmansworth cycle route is one-way along Berry Lane (between Church Lane and Field Way, Mill End).
Created by Jon_B // 1 thread
Warwick Road is marked as an "Advisory Cycle Route" on the Suffolk County Council cycle map.
However, in morning rush hour it is frequently backed up a considerable distance heading south towards the traffic-light controlled 4 way junction with St Helens Street / Spring Road / Grove Lane.
There is an ASL on these lights, but in practice the carriageway is too narrow to allow cycles to pass the stopped traffic on the left hand side - particularly as the route is used by buses which occupy the space right up to the kerb.
Overtaking on the right is not a safe option where there is queue of stopped traffic as this is a two-way road with the added complication of traffic pulling out from Lancaster Road.
Given that the motorised traffic flow seems to be mainly south bound it would seem appropriate to make this a one-way street with a proper cycle lane including changing the phasing of the lights to allow cycles an advance phase to make the turn into Spring Road / St Helens Street.
One-way flow up another of the cross streets (probably Palmerston Road ) in the Northbound direction would complete the "loop" for cars and also ease traffic flow on that road which is currently difficult for cars or bikes to negotiate in a northbound direction in rush hour.
I know this has been proposed before, but I wanted to add an issue to Cyclescapes in the hope that it might come up again. We can collect reports and evidence here.
Reopening the Belmont Viaduct to cyclists and pedestrians could greatly shorten and improve a lot of journeys into and across Durham.
Previously Durham Council (before the County Council?) were awarded lottery funding for this. I think the issue was with landowners, and so the funding got diverted to projects outside of the city.
Created by Dan // 1 thread
Traffic lights will not change for cyclists when on the sensor (at night).
Created by Adam Edwards // 1 thread
Hatfield has the makings of a good cycle path network. However, the cycle path from the station to the town centre ends at the west end of French Horn Lane and fails to then connect to the University to the south or the Business Park (EE HQ, etc) to the west.
WelHatCycling are lobbying (most recently our MP Grant Shapps) to get this missing link filled. The route is shown on the map and is entirely unobstructed. The key work is a toucan crossing of Queensway, needed not only for the cycle route, but also to open up the north east end of the town centre to passing trade from people cycling and walking via the town centre.
Kate Ravilious // 0 threads
The padlocked barrier at the end of Hospital Fields Road is inaccessible for non-standard cycles, and difficult to pass through for anyone except the most able-bodied cyclists.
Created by jpennycook // 0 threads
Drivers are unaware/don't care/don't see cyclists in the cycle lane, so pull out of Lidl an Old Worting Road turning left, or turn right from Worting Road to Old Worting Road leading to very near misses. The cycle lane should be replaced with access to Old Worting Road near the bus stop, and improved access to Lidl provided.
Martin Lucas-Smith // 4 threads
The cycle lanes here are a mish-mash of narrow legacy infrastructure, and are often awkward to use.