PA_212198_79MagdalenStFlats
Change of use of existing dwellinghouse to 6 flats and erection of replacement building at rear to provide 4 flats. Resubmission and variation of planning approved under reference 180116
This section lists issues - problems on the street network and related matters.
Issues always relate to some geographical location, whether very local or perhaps city-wide.
You can create a new issue using the button on the right.
Listed issues, most recent first:
Created by Steven Moseley // 1 thread
Change of use of existing dwellinghouse to 6 flats and erection of replacement building at rear to provide 4 flats. Resubmission and variation of planning approved under reference 180116
Created by Steven Moseley // 1 thread
Converting a vacant office unit into a Job Centre Plus office for the DWP. This facility will provide 29 work coach stations to attend customers by appointment only. It will have an interview room for customers and staff welfare areas. Ten of the existi
Created by Steven Moseley // 1 thread
Erection of 2No. semi-detached 2 bedroom houses.
Sam // 1 thread
Before the pandemic you could turn right here, now, any cyclist ends up on car-repelling paint with nowhere obvious to go.
sound+fury // 1 thread
Construction of a new three storey educational building, including associated hard and soft landscaping
Hills Road Sixth Form College Hills Road Cambridge CB2 8PE
Cambridge
Application reference : 21/03780/FUL
Created by Steven Moseley // 1 thread
Proposed re-development to the rear of Willows Shopping parade, to deliver a new residential development of 6No dwellings consisting of 3No three bedroom dwellings and 3No four bedroom dwellings.
Created by Steven Moseley // 1 thread
Proposed extensions and alterations to existing hotel to accommodate an additional 20 rooms/suites, additional meeting rooms and improved leisure facilities. Proposed external refurbishments and internal alterations.
Created by Steven Moseley // 1 thread
House conversion to 2 x 2 bed flats, and 1 x 2 bed maisonette. Single storey extension to ground floor flat and balcony to the first floor flat. Along with the current approved 150493 and 150492 parking arrangements 3 additional parking spaces are provid
Created by Steven Moseley // 1 thread
Change of Use of the first floor from ancillary office of a light industrial unit to Residential to provide 1 no. 3 bedroom apartment
Created by Colin Wing // 1 thread
Westminster City Council and the London Borough of Camden are working together to deliver a Neighbourhood Traffic Management (NTM) scheme in Covent Garden including the Seven Dials area.
Created by Anna Williams – Head of Campaigns & Engagement // 1 thread
St Neots is receiving some funding as part of the Future High Streets Fund - this could include investment in cycling and walking infrastructure.
Created by Steven Moseley // 1 thread
Retail park comprising retail (A1) and restaurant (A1/A3/A5) units with associated parking and landscaping. Resubmission of 172935 - REVISIONS RECEIVED
Created by Will Bramhill // 1 thread
Plan 211788
Industrial estate, London Road, Marks Tey
(was 202373)
Introduction
Colchester Cycling Campaign objects to this plan. If it is considered for approval, mitigation should be carried out and completed at the same time as the development. If any work is outstanding it should be subject to a legal agreement and funded via a 20-year Section 106 or CIL agreement. See table below for a list of mitigation measures.
Highways England should consider this scheme not as a standalone but as a major part of other recent planning applications in this area, which all add to motor traffic. This particular application is disappointing in terms of provision for active travel: it is likely to increase dependence on short to medium-distance commuting by car while further undermining cycling through increased traffic and greater danger, especially in Old London Road.
Note that paragraph 109 of the National Planning Policy Framework states that “development should only be prevented or refused ... if there would be an unacceptable impact on highway safety, or residual cumulative impacts on the road network would be severe”.
We trust that the Highways England stage one road safety audit (CBC site August 6) will include consideration of walking and cycling routes in the area. The auditor should ride the routes, as recommended by LTN 1/20 and Gear Change.
Two major plans have recently been rejected owing to poor cycling and walking provision: the Devonshire Quarter in Cambridge and Lidl in Salford (download of decision notice).
Although the applicant’s draft travel plan and transport assessment has sections on walking and cycling, nothing is provided in terms of improved off-site infrastructure – at least not until 2028, by which time the new section of the A12 may be complete. It is unclear whether the developer would be prepared to fully fund improvements at that stage.
2 Current situation
The Kelvedon to Colchester cycleway runs past the development site along Old London Road. This is used by longer-distance cycle traffic as well as cycle commuters to and from nearby industry and adjacent homes. Current use is low, in part because of poor connections.
This route links to the part of Marks Tey west of the A120 via Dobbies Lane via a relatively new cycleable bridge across the railway track. However cycle accesses to homes north of Jays Lane/Long Green/Wilsons Lane to Keable Road, Cornwallis Drive and Steele Close are convoluted, narrow and restricted.
3 The applicants’ transport assessment and travel plan
The applicants’ transport assessment and travel plan is lazy in terms of cycling. It appears to be a desk-based study and states merely that cycling is possible from certain hamlets and villages. No consideration is given to current barriers such as the A12 or the perceived safety of the roads and lanes that have to be used to reach the site, both of which would make a cycle journey dangerous or undesirable. There is no indication that the company involved has ridden any of these routes to assess their suitability.
No consideration is given to “on the ground” ease of access, even within Marks Tey.
The consultant quotes objectives of a travel plan but this scheme ignores objective two (address the access needs of staff by supporting walking, cycling and the use of public transport) and objective 3 (encourage good urban design principles that open up the site to walking, cycling and use of public transport). If this is the case at this stage, what commitment will be invested in the future?
The papers state that cycle access is possible via the grounds of Marks Tey Parish Hall. This appears to be privately owned land (possibly by the parish council). The paths within the site are not wide enough for cycling even if it was permitted. The access to the site from the A120 (picture below) would be a challenge for Bethany Shriever, Team GB’s BMX Olympic gold medallist.
The applicant gives a concession to cycling with a “green line on a map” in its transport assessment. There is no indication of land ownership, when or whether this can be achieved. Notably this access is not marked on any of the detailed plans for the site itself.
In conjunction with Highways England, the developer has looked at improvements to the junction of Old London Road with the A120. All of these except for a ban on right hand turns on the A120 have been put in abeyance pending construction of the new A12.
The applicant also talks of a 5km cycle catchment. This is out of date. Experience from cycle-friendly towns and cities shows that the advent of ebikes increases not just distances cycled but frequency too.
No estimate is given of the effect of increased motor traffic on cyclists in Old London Road, with the focus being on the ability of two heavy goods vehicles to pass each other.
While Old London Road falls within the remit of Highway England, it is not by nature a trunk road but a lightly trafficked mixed-use street. It should be subject to the designs set out in Manual for Streets (MfS) and not the Design Manual for Roads and Bridges. Page 144 of MfS states: "The DMRB is not an appropriate design standard for most streets, particularly those in lightly-trafficked residential and mixed-use areas.”
The applicant’s documents also make no mention of Local Transport Note 1/20 on cycling infrastructure or the government’s Gear Change document, which have been published for more than a year. These should have been used to shape the application.
Paragraph 3.4.5 of the transport assessment mentions the National Cycle Network routes 1 and 13. These are irrelevant when the site is so cut off for cyclists and is likely to be so for some time.
There is no indication of the type of cycle parking that the developer intends to provide, whether security is sufficient and whether it is covered. The applicant seems to have ignored the requirement at 3.6.2 of the Essex Parking Guide that “cycle parking should be conveniently located adjacent to entrances to buildings”.
No comprehensive consideration of current or future air quality has been made.
4 What we would like to see
Request |
Comments |
1 Funding and provision of a S segregated cycleway from Marks Tey station to join with Old London Road 90m west of the A120 junction |
Station Road may need widening. Possible land ownership issues, although the wooded area south of the station,and between Old London Road and the A12 south of the A120 (the teardrop), may belong to Highways England. The cycleway should cross the teardrop to join Old London Road 90m south of the A120 junction. Street lighting needed |
2 Existing crossing moved 30 metres east, closer to junction with roundabout |
This will allow use of existing verges to give better access, ie, no use of footway by cycles |
3 Remodelling of plans for phase 1 and phase 2 so that a segregated cycleway/footway is provided along the northern edge of the site between Dobbies Lane and the A120, crossing Old London Road to meet with the cycleway from the station. The first section of the path should have full access into the site with its design influenced by Manual for Streets |
See illustration. Land ownership issues, although parish council may be amenable? Street lighting needed. If this cannot be achieved then Old London Road will have to be looked at as the main access route. The level of traffic proposed on Old London Road would mean that a segregated cycleway would have to be provided. |
4 An alternative to 3: redesign of Old London Road to be friendlier to cyclists using Manual for Streets. |
As noted at 3 |
5 Funding for improvements for cycle/foot access into the Keable Road estate at Keable Road, Cornwallis Drive and Steele Close |
Relatively easy. These accesses should meet LTN 1/20 |
6 Developer to work with Highways England on tying in development to old A12 once the new road opens, subject |
Dependent on detailed drawings from Highways England |
7 Agreement to help fund medium to long-term maintenance of Dobbies Lane |
|
8 Details of cycle parking (type and position) to be approved by CBC before construction begins |
Created by Jean Dollimore // 1 thread
Camden proposes to make permanent the trial closures that were installed in Prowse Place and Wilmot Place in June 2020.
The Prowse Place closure was originally by means of bollards but has been replaced by ANPR and signage while the Wilmot Place closure is by means of bollards.
Camden also proposes to:
Created by Anna Williams – Head of Campaigns & Engagement // 1 thread
Barton and District Bridleways group are campaigning to get a popular route for cycling, walking and horseriding recognised as an official Right Of Way.
Created by Steven Moseley // 1 thread
Application to determine if prior approval is required for proposed change of use of offices (Class B1) to 3 residential apartments (ClassC3)
Created by Steven Moseley // 1 thread
Proposed annex. Renewal of approved application 181350.
sound+fury // 1 thread
As per the tags
Created by Roxanne (CEO) // 1 thread
A children's hospital is planned for the Biomedical Campus (Addenbrookes) and is planned to open in 2025.
Created by Rosamund Humphrey (Admin Officer) // 1 thread
21/03261/FUL: Renovation and two storey side extension of existing three bed house, and three new two storey, two bed, three person terrace houses, external bike and bin stores
43 Brookfields Cambridge CB1 3NZ
Created by Rosamund Humphrey (Admin Officer) // 1 thread
21/03119/FUL: New 1 bedroom dwelling fronting Hulatt Road
98 Wulfstan Way Cambridge CB1 8QJ
Created by Rosamund Humphrey (Admin Officer) // 1 thread
21/03155/FUL: Erection of 9no (1 and 2bed) dwellings with associated infrastructure following demolition of existing dwelling
72 High Street Cherry Hinton Cambridge CB1 9HZ
Created by Rosamund Humphrey (Admin Officer) // 1 thread
21/03413/FUL: Creation of a two storey semi-detached structure to provide 1 No. one bedroom apartment adjoining the neighbouring block of No. 32 Mill Road, ref: 12/1132/FUL
34 Mill Road Cambridge CB1 2AD
Created by Rosamund Humphrey (Admin Officer) // 1 thread
21/02954/FUL | Change of use from office to flat. | 190 Green End Road Cambridge CB4 1RN
Created by Rosamund Humphrey (Admin Officer) // 1 thread
21/03304/FUL: Retention of existing dwelling, erection of 1no. linked 2 bedroom dwelling and 1no. 1 bedroom detached dwelling, along with a new parking bay accessed from Suez Road and associated works
108 Suez Road Cambridge CB1 3QD
This map shows all issues, whether points, routes, or areas:
The most popular issues, based on the number of votes:
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.