Mulberry Corner Proposed Changes by SCC
Suffolk County Council have put forward some plans for changes to Mulberry Corner, which Cycle Ipswich don't believe will help cycling.
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Created by Shaun McDonald // 2 threads
Suffolk County Council have put forward some plans for changes to Mulberry Corner, which Cycle Ipswich don't believe will help cycling.
Created by Stephan Matthiesen // 1 thread
There should be a walking/cycling connection between Lidl and the housing behind it (Craigmillar Castle Avenue area).
People living there are forced a long detour down to Niddrie Mains Rd then up to Lidl again. This encourages car use and discourages walking.
Niddrie Mains Rd is terrible for cycling so this connection would also benefit people cycling from Greendykes or Inch (through the park).
Created by Stephan Matthiesen // 0 threads
The fence around the car part at Inch House has no gap at the back (there is a gate to allow access to the waste bins but it's locked). This forces walkers and cyclists into a very narrow path along the wall and entrance of Inch House, too narrow to pass others and people leaving the house step right into your path.
Created by Stephan Matthiesen // 0 threads
Important crossing point between Craigmillar Castle Park and Inch Park. Very dangerous because the bends in Old Dalkeith Road make cars from both directions difficult to see, and the width of the road encourages speeding well above 30mph (there is a speed display which is triggered by most cars).
Created by Stephan Matthiesen // 0 threads
Chicanes too narrow for trailers. Also they are at the bottom of a slope, so when you turn into the path you can't use any momentum to get uphills.
They are at the end of the tarmac path through Craigmillar Park, an essential route connecting Inch and Craigmillar and the only way to avoid either the Cameron Toll mess or the Craigmillar Castle Road ratrun.
Created by Stephan Matthiesen // 0 threads
Convert some of the pavement along Niddrie Mains Rd to a proper segregated cycle path. The pavement is already very wide, and east of Craigmillar Castle Av it already almost looks like a cycle path as there is an additional kerb in the middle of the pavement, dividing it into two 2m wide paths.
It would need a few dropped kerbs and repair of a few potholes, but other than that it could be easily converted into a cycle path. Many people cycle on there already (illegally).
It is important because Niddrie Mains Rd is very busy, often jammed, with many pinch points that lead to dangerously overtaking.
Created by Stephan Matthiesen // 4 threads
Two sets of chicanes that are unnecessary and difficult to get through.
This is an important bike/pedestrian connection to avoid busy Niddrie Mains Rd.
Created by Stephan Matthiesen // 2 threads
The feeder lane between the bus stop and the ASL in Liberton Rd northbound should be segregated. Road and pavement are very wide here, so it would be easy to add a cycle lane segregated by a kerb to replace the curernt painted feeder lane.
The painted feeder lane is extremely dangerous as the road bends left, so that buses, HGVs and other vehicles regularly encroach on it. Just today I saw another cyclist almost pushed onto the kerb when a bus started to move.
Created by Stephan Matthiesen // 0 threads
The bike lane (end of the "quality" bike corridor) on Mayfield Rd southbound ends about a hundred metres before the junction with Liberton Rd. It should extend up to the junction, and ideally continue through to Kirk Brae and Liberton Road.
Extending the bike lane would allow cyclists to pass the queuing cars and get to the traffic lights. At the moment, cyclists are stuck at the bottom of the steep hill at the end of the cycle lane, and then can cycle up only very slowly, with lot of angry car driver behind them. It often takes two green phases to get from the end of the cycle lane to the actual lights, unless you overtake on the right against oncoming traffic speeding around the corner from Liberton Rd.
This is a key junction as there are no other routes between KB and Liberton/Gilmerton (except going around to Cameron Toll which is not much better).
Created by Stephan Matthiesen // 7 threads
Need dropped kerb and a few metres of footpath to connect the existing footpath, so that people can cross at the existing traffic island to get to the road leading to the recycling centre.
This is a very important pedestrian and cycle connection between the Inch and Craigmillar Castle Park. You can see from the desire line that many people walk across there already.
The high kerb makes it impossible to use for people with bicycles, wheelchairs, buggies etc. They are forced to travel along the busy Old Dalkeith Road rather than cross it directly.
Created by Stephan Matthiesen // 0 threads
Convert the existing pelican crossing to toucan. Needs also a dropped kerb before the lights so that you can get there from the cycle lane.
The reason is that it is very difficult to turn left into Walter Scott Avenue from Dalkeith Road. It is uphills with a lot of traffic, making it very unpleasant and quite dangerous to leave the cycle lane and move into the centre of the road for turning left.
Created by Tom B // 1 thread
Following a consultation ( https://consultation.richmond.gov.uk/highways-transport/proposed-banned-left-turn-from-south-worple-way ), Richmond Council has now put up 'No Left Turn' signs at the eastern end of South Worple Way, just before the junction with White Hart Lane, to try and prevent dangerous driving and motor vehicles blocking this very tight junction by trying to use it to get across the railway crossing.
Cycles do not cause the same issues in relation to endangering pedestrians waiting on the very narrow pavements, or blocking the road (as cycles take up less room and, if it is necessary while waiting at the railway crossing, they can easily be moved aside by riders).
North and South Worple ways are important through routes for cyclists as they allow people to avoid the much busier Mortlake High Street and Upper Richmond Road. However, motorists can use these routes for rat-running (and can do so aggressively, in my experience, particularly on North Worple Way), and therefore it is important to show that cyclists have equal if not greater priority on these quiet routes.
It would be good to make it clear that the banned left turn from South Worple Way onto White Hart Lane is not intended to apply to cyclists by adding an "Except Cycles" sign to the new signage. This would help avoid any potential misunderstanding by (and consequent conflict with) drivers and other road users.
Created by Donald Noble // 1 thread
Access barrier (presumably to stop motorbikes) is too narrow to permit access by some bikes, including mountain bikes with wide bars, plus all sorts of accessible bicycles, as well as pushchairs/wheelchairs/mobility scooters etc.
Created by Shaun McDonald // 1 thread
Dove Street is currently one way. It would be useful if it could be made 2 way for cycling for peopl coming from St Helen's Primary School to NCN 1.
The left turn from St Helens Street into Dove Street is much easier than a right turn from St Helens Street into Regent Street, as you don't have to block a lane of traffic and hope for a gap in the traffic in the opposite direction, especially with kids. It's also a shorter route when heading towards the town centre.
Created by Shaun McDonald // 1 thread
DfT are running a consultation about the East Anglia rail franchise, which will be used for the specification which will be put to bidders in summer 2015 for the start of the next franchise in October 2016.
https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/east-anglia-rail-passenger-franchise
Created by Tom Corder // 1 thread
My work colleague crashed when crossing the painted roundabout this morning as it was icy and therefore very slippery (she didn't go around the painted area as there was a pedestrian on the road). As she was recovering she met another lady who had also just crashed and as they walked together away from the roundabout, a third cyclist crashed behind them.
It has been reported on the County Council highways fault page.
Created by Chris Lowe // 0 threads
To increase filtered permeability here, a shared-use pavement restoring the Morville Street route for cycles would be useful. There is a dropped kerb at the Ryland Street end, but a dropped kerb will be needed at the Ruston Street end.
It is also important to provide a contra-flow access for cycles to Ruston Street.
These two links are already informally used by local cycle users, but could do with formalising, so that they appear on cycle route planners.
Martin Lucas-Smith // 1 thread
It appears that Sainsbury's may have acquired the Mace store at 78-80 Mill Road:
http://www.public-notices.co.uk/cambridge/view/13895/sainsburys-7
This could bring intensive lorry deliveries.
The nearest equivalent case, Tesco's planning application in 2007, envisaged two deliveries of 41 minutes from on Mill Road.
This location has no delivery bay, so deliveries blocking one side of Mill Road are presumably likely.
The shop already has planning consent for food sales (indeed, it is a Mace store) so may not result in any planning application.
Created by Jon_B // 0 threads
There is a marked ASL at the North End of Upper Orwell Street with a marked cycle lane leading up to it.
However, this end of Upper Orwell Street is very narrow and traffic turning left into it from St Helens Street at an acute angle often swings wide encroaching into the ASL. Very large vehicles making this turn would probably have no choice but to do so.
This makes the ASL a dangerous area for cyclists and I would generally avoid using it.
The junction either needs to be revised to avoid this issue and protect cyclists waiting in the ASL or a one-way motors / 2 way cycling system considered.
Created by Jon_B // 0 threads
Suffolk County Council are proposing a blanket 20mph zone in this area.
Consultation proposal documents are at:- http://www.suffolk.gov.uk/your-council/decision-making/consultations/consultation-on-whitton-and-castle-hill-20mph-speed-limit-proposal/
Cycle Ipswich response (currently in draft):- https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Itk7qCLrdPB3nV5OPjwbszpG42uACzisIjZtjpfbiQI/edit?usp=sharing
Created by Kevin Ablitt // 1 thread
Twice in the past week I have been cycling up St Johns to make a rh turn onto Cauldwell Hall and nearly been taken out by a driver taking the corner too fast as they travel north bound along Cauldwell Hall and turn down St Johns Rd.
The problems are too fast traffic on Cauldwell Hall and poor design at that junction , need an island to separate traffic.
Created by Kevin Ablitt // 0 threads
Recently a cyclist was knocked off here while trying to turn right out of Constantine Road . The car driver took the corner without obeying the white line markers. Needs hard infrastructure changes .
Created by Jon_B // 1 thread
This route is the current North-South route through Christchurch Park, but fails to realise its full potential for cyclists as it is not properly lit and is perceived as dangerous to use at night as it is secluded.
It also suffers from a poor surface and can be dangerously slippy due to fallen leaves, leaf mould etc.
The route needs to be upgraded by cutting back foliage to improve sight lines and reduce the "seclusion", resurfacing and proper lighting along with regular sweeping and maintenance. CCTV coverage would also improve the perception of safety.
The junctions at either end also need to be revised to ensure that cyclists can safely and easily access the route from Park Road and Foneraux Road.
We would also suggest that a new link to the main Park entrance on Park Road could be created inside the existing perimeter of the park, but fenced off so that it could be available for 24 hour access whilst the park is closed.
This would link with the Avenue which, when adopted and resurfaced, could provide a useful continuation, particularly if closed to through motor traffic.
Martin Lucas-Smith // 1 thread
Major new housing development, basically joining up East Road with Newmarket Road.
Issues relating to cycle parking quality and number.
Wrongly claims cycle route network in the immediate area is excellent.
Proposes no contribution to the Eastern Gate plan.
14/1905/FUL is the planning reference. Documents at:
https://idox.cambridge.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=documents&keyVal=NFRGTZDXJ7M00
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Martin Lucas-Smith // 3 threads
Elizabeth Way is wide. Currently cycling is permitted on the pavements.
This should be changed to have dutch-style cycle tracks, achieved by narrowing the road slightly and narrowing the pavements (which are very wide and not heavily trafficked, so this would not disadvantage pedestrians).
This would give a safer cycling environment, and improve the pedestrian experience.
Created by Richenda // 1 thread
Apparently TfL commissioned "...to explore the opportunity of a pedestrian river crossing ....". They may not think bikes should also be included, but they should!
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/luxury/travel/4162/a-garden-bridge-across-the-thames.html
http://www.gardenbridgetrust.org/index.html
Created by Andrew Woodward // 0 threads
Railway footbridge should have a ramp/trough added to make it easier for cyclists to cross the railway. This would then create a quiet north/south route to Marshgate school as an alternative to Manor Road.
Created by TonyBeaumont // 1 thread
Out side the royal orthopaedic hospital up top 30 cars are parked in the cycle lane every day. Cyclists are forced out into the traffic lane of the A38 over a distance of about 1/4 mile.
Created by HVS // 3 threads
The A5117 at this point has some sections of non-protected cycle lane, but they are not continuous, and they disappear at a number of pinch points. The road carries a lot of very fast moving heavy traffic, and is dangerous and unpleasant to cycle on. It would be a useful route for people travelling by bike to or from Stanlow Refinery, Cheshire Oaks, the University of Chester at Thornton Science Park, and Ince & Elton villages, but is currently only used by a tiny number of very brave and confident cyclists. This situation could be improved by making the cycle lane continuous along the whole route.
Created by Andrew Woodward // 0 threads
Pinch-point at zebra crossing where cyclists are forced to share space with traffic that is often speeding. Cars try to squeeze past cyclists or brake suddenly.
Created by HankChief // 0 threads
There needs to be a ramped access to the school grounds at this point to replace or bypass the 6 steps currently there.
This would not only improve access to the school but also improve connection between the East Craigs Path Network and North Gyle and the only toucan crossing on the A8 in Edinburgh on Dechmont Road.
Created by Fraser Stephens // 1 thread
RAISED AT PUBLIC MEETING 10-04-2014
The infamous missing link in the Llanfoist-Brynmawr cycle path (route 46) is a huge barrier to its safe use by children as well as those who find the steep section of the diversion route impossible to climb.
The service entrance to the motorway services now has priority over the shared use path which runs parallel to the main road.
I have contacted both Hampshire County Council and Test Valley Borough Council about this change in priorities, but neither has responded beyond a cursory "we have received your email".
This is yet another example of through traffic being de-prioritised simply because it is on a cycle (or shared) path, rather than on a road.
Created by Andrew Woodward // 0 threads
Pinch point outside Courtlands on Sheen Road. Despite resurfacing, pinch point has not been addressed. Because of the poor road layout vehicles frequently encroach into the cycle lane. At off peak times the wide road encourages speeding - vehicles often approach this pinch point at 40mph.
Created by Frenchie // 0 threads
This is one of the prime candidate for a cycle contraflow in Newcastle City Centre. Currently one way for all traffic from Percy Street to Strawberry place. Allowing cyclists down from Strawberry Place to Percy Street would improve permeability and connectivity for cyclists. Note: not a lot of traffic, space not an issue, short uphill section so speeding not an issue.
Created by Shaun McDonald // 0 threads
The entrance to Dock Street should be turned into a continuous footway with pedestrian and cyclist priority over turning vehicles akin to this Danish junction: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QcnmLU1ClTo
This would improve sight lines for pedestrians too as the dropped kerbs are away from the junction, and it would also go with the pedestrian desire line as many tend to cross closer to the junction than the dropped kerbs. It would also slow down the vehicles entering the narrow street.
Created by Ned Harrison // 1 thread
Holywells Park has a section of cycle route 51 running through it, linking South East Ipswich to the centre with a pleasant and safe route down to the waterfront.
During Winter, the park is closed at dusk, sometimes as early as 4, meaning that just when the roads are most dangerous (dark and wet) cyclists are forced onto steep and busy routes either along Cliff Lane or up Bishops Hill.
The closures are largely at the request of the Park Friends group. I've spoken to them, and their concerns seem to be largely about what might go on after dark. It's not clear that there is any evidence for this, nor that the current situation of locking the main gates but leaving others would do anything to deter misbehaviour.
Keeping it open as a cycle route would ensure a legitimate presence in the park, and help provide less confident cyclists in the area with a safe route to and from town.
I'd propose either locking later, or for a trial period leaving the park unlocked.
Created by Rosalind Lund // 1 thread
further to the piece in newsletter 128, I wonder if any thought has been given to the difficulty of turning right into Emmanuel Street if you are coming towards the town centre from St Andrew's Street? We go fairly often to the Arts Cinema and this is the obvious way for us to go home, but it is impossible to turn right on the correct side of the bollard at present as it is designed only for left turning cycles coming out of town. There is, however, nothing to suggest that such a right turn is illegal.
Created by Paul James // 0 threads
All the sideroads between Richmond Circus and Manor Circus are a danger to cyclists on the cycleway.
There is no warning to motorists that there will be crossing cyclists and the building angles make it hard to see if anything is coming.
Turning traffic from the A316 can have an obscured view of the cycleway due to foliage.
Decrease corner radii.
Make road hump more pronounced.
Make cycle surface colour continuous across roadway.
Add markings across roadway.
Add warning signage.
Move give way lines back to before cycleway or add additional give way lines.
Created by chdot // 1 thread
Longstanding issue about 'optimum' design, particularly to reduce conflict caused by vehicles turning from Teviot Pl due to signal phases.
Over the past couple of years of regularly cycling between Waterbeach and Cambridge on NCN11 I have noticed that the path between Waterbeach and Baits Bite Lock is in really bad repair and is getting gradually worse. I have been in touch with the council to ask them to repair it, and they told me that as far as they are concerned the path is only a footpath, and they have no obligation to maintain it to a standard suitable for bikes. Sustrans tells me they have no responsibility for maintaining that section of the route, and that the council should be responsible for it.
It seems absurd to allow the path to fall into total disrepair, but at the moment it doesn't seem like anyone recognises any obligation for its upkeep.
I am happy to go out occasionally with some secateurs and chop off the more annoying bits of greenery, but the path needs resurfacing and that feels a bit beyond me!
Does anyone have any experience with this sort of problem? Have they come across it on other sections of the NCN?
Martin Lucas-Smith // 1 thread
There's a very poor dogleg right-angle with barriers at the entrance/exit from the West Cambridge site to Clerk Maxwell Road.
This should be turned into a wide splay with good visibility.
Created by Shaun McDonald // 1 thread
It would be much safer to have cyclist priority on the slip roads here as is done in The Netherlands http://www.flickr.com/photos/smsm1/10046288016/ , or even the following example from Britain: http://www.cycling-embassy.org.uk/photos/good-cycling-facility-of-the-week/good-cycling-facility-of-the-week-14th-november-2013-0
The slip roads also need to be narrowed to slow motor vehicle speeds as does the turning radii of the roundabout.
Created by Katja Leyendecker // 1 thread
The (draft / emerging) 1Core Strategy seems to hint at a bus loop (Policy UC7) and a motor vehicle "ring road" (Policy UC9) too. It mentions pedestrian routes but there's no mention of cycle routes. See attached photo. (I didn't mark up the map, as it might become a tad too messy)
The "ring road" is just like Scott / esde84 described before http://newcycling.org/space4cycling/part2 (in comments)
The photo in the attachment is from "Newcastle Proposals Map" listed here http://onecorestrategyng-consult.limehouse.co.uk/portal/examination_library (not sure how long thi link will stay live, link rot may happen)
Created by Andrew Woodward // 1 thread
Providing a cycle-friendly surface on the path from Meadlands Drive to the road serving the German School and the Polo Club would improve cycling access to Strathmore and Russell Schools and help provide a better quiet route from Meadlands Drive area towards Richmond - providing more/better options for avoiding the busy Petersham Road.
Martin Lucas-Smith // 4 threads
London Cycling Campaign has reorientated its policy towards a 'Go Dutch' approach.
This aims to learn from best practice abroad rather than continuing with the 'hierarchy of provision' that, in 20 years in the UK, has arguably failed to deliver meaningful change.
This is an overarching issue for conceptual discussion of this issue.
Created by JonC // 0 threads
Our club (South Herts CTC) had to cross the A505 to get back into Hertfordshire on Sunday and we took a route between Litlington and Therfield which involved 500 m along the A505 and a right turn at the roundabout west of Royston.
I was quite surprised there was no cycle route to help cyclists here. It was a Sunday so at least there were fewer heavy vehicles than normal, but the speed of some cars coming up behind made it tricky to change lanes on a bike when turning right at the roundabout.
Since then I have studied other ways of crossing the A505 (using Google Streetview) and can't find any easy crossing points near Royston. I see it is the boundary between Hertfordshire and Cambridgeshire, which complicates matters (although it looks like the A505 road is in Herts).
To the east, I've used the B1368 crossing at Flint Cross, which is also a nightmare. To the west the crossing at Slip End does at least have a central refuge. It seems little or no thought was given to cyclists when the A505 was constructed.
Meeting with Leeds City Council to discuss possible remedial works due to high casualty rates.
Created by Shaun McDonald // 1 thread
Many cyclists won't cycle to Harwich International from the Ipswich direction due to the roads. There really should be a high quality cycle route for this to continue the cycle journey from The Netherlands, where you can ride of the ferry and on to quality cycle infrastructure. The fact people choose the train is not a good sign.
This issue is the overall goal, and needs to be broken down into smaller sub issues of smaller more specific projects or improvements that can work towards this goal.