Grantchester Road shut to motor traffic for months
Whilst the bridge over the cam is rebuilt, Grantchester Road is shut to motor traffic. Despite a lack of signs, the route is still open (sort of) to pedestrians and cycles
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.
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Listed issues, most recent first:
Whilst the bridge over the cam is rebuilt, Grantchester Road is shut to motor traffic. Despite a lack of signs, the route is still open (sort of) to pedestrians and cycles
Created by Kevin Ablitt // 1 thread
During the refurbishment of St Mary at the Quay this section of road has been closed. The sky has not fallen on us and neither has traffic ground to ( any more ) of a standstill. In my opinion it should stay closed to MVs and just be segregated for bikes and peds.
Created by Colin Wing // 4 threads
There has never been a satisfactory cycle route from Soho into Covent Garden. The right turn from Old Compton Street into Charing Cross Road is prohibited. Moor Street lands cyclists at an inconvenient part of the junction. Using Greek Street and Shaftesbury Avenue means a difficult right turn into Charing Cross Road.
In April 2015 Westminster's contractors are consulting the public about improvements to Cambridge Circus. The consultation period ends on 8th May 2015. Subject to approvals, it is planned to start the works on site in August 2015 and to be completed by February 2016.
The scheme takes into account the need for Quietway 19 to pass through the junction between Soho and Covent Garden.
Created by maidstoneonbike // 1 thread
Plans to convert cycling and walking route into a car park at Porth Station. Rhondda Cynon Taf council planning reference 15/0175/08
Created by maidstoneonbike // 2 threads
No cycle parking on main shopping street in Pontypridd. Plenty of car parking however.
Created by Jean Dollimore // 3 threads
Camden Council proposes some changes in Somers Town including:
- new buildings for Edith Neville Primary school with the entrance moved to the corner of Purchese Street and Polygon Road
- new housing
- closure of Polygon Road between Ossulston Street and Chalton Street
- new landscaped park and open spaces
See the consultation at:
https://consultations.wearecamden.org/children-schools-families/central-somers-town-proposals-03-2015
A model and exhibition about the proposals is on display at Somers Town Community Association until April 27th
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The plans show what looks like a wooded park enclosing the cycle route on Polygon Road between Purchese Street and Ossulston Street as well as the little square at the southern end of Charringon Street.
Angela and I have met with the Louise Trewavas (the officer responsible); she assures us that Camden intends to provide total permeability for cycling through the area. But she was talking of cycling slowly through the wooded part. We pointed out that this is a major N-S route that uses the safe crossing over Euston Road to Mabledon Place and quoted figures from the RCS counter. (She is a cyclist and did understand that point).
We noted that when the RCS southern extension down Pancras Road is extended down Midland Road to a safe crossing over Euston Road to Judd Street that many cyclists may prefer that route which will decrease pressure on the Somers Town route.
We discussed two alternatives to improving the route through Somers Town between Goldington and Ossulston Street:
- a route down Charrington Street provides a good straight run but would require something like the Ampton Street track through the square. It would avoid the new entrance to Edith Neville school. But there is an issue as to how cycles will cross the footway in Polygon Road where there will be many pedestrians at school opening and closing times
- a route down Purchese Street as far as Brill Place which will only be acceptable if the cobbles are covered with a smooth surface of an acceptable width with one track in each direction.
Created by Iain Lane // 2 threads
I've received some further oral reports that barriers are still in place and that there may be plans to install yet more.
We should investigate and find out what's going on here, stop it happening and have the existing barriers removed.
Created by Shaun McDonald // 0 threads
Application by Ipswich Borough Council for creation of skate park facility including ancillary external works - earth works, footpaths, fencing and street furniture.
Recreation Ground White House Road Ipswich Suffolk
Ipswich
Application reference: 15/00307/FPI3
Created by Jonathan Keenan // 1 thread
Large housing development near to Trafford centre, Manchester Ship Canal and Bridgewater Canal. There is potential for huge increase in traffic and the plans have very little/no cycle infrastructure planned in.
The plans show 5 lane roads and roundabouts with a simple ASL and no other infrastructure. This is an opportunity for the developers to connect the new estate into a wider cycle network, particularly the cycle path on Barton Dock Road (which needs improvement). The Bridgewater Canal will not have enough capacity in the future and is not suitable for year round commuting.
Urgent attention needs to be given to the main roads surrounding the site and the development used as a catalyst to improve the below standard infrastructure already in place nearby.
Created by SRF // 0 threads
A dropped kerb where the path meets the pavement at the Glebe would be very handy here for people heading to the school on bike via the path. It's the only off-road route for cycling to the school.
Created by Iain Lane // 2 threads
This is about creating a pedestrian/cycle area on Station Street between Carrington Street and Trent Street, and a gyratory along the rest of Station Street (up to London Road).
Created by Cook // 1 thread
The Grand Union canal towpath from Lincoln Road, Olton to Catherine de Barnes is full of potholes and becomes full of mud and puddles when it rains. The alternative is the busy Warwick Rd or Coventry Rd. This is the only off road route from Solihull to Birmingham so is suitable for families and young children.
Created by Shaun McDonald // 0 threads
Change of use from offices (B1) to 7 no. flats (C3) with associated parking and amenity space.
19 - 23 Fore Street Ipswich Suffolk IP4 1JW
Ipswich
Application reference: 15/00238/LBC
Martin Lucas-Smith // 1 thread
Alterations to car and cycle parking and vehicular access (part retrospective). Resurfacing of access road and provision of 3.5m high acoustic fence.
The Leys School The Fen Causeway Cambridge Cambridgeshire CB2 7AD
Cambridge
Application reference: 15/0503/FUL
Richmond Council have installed a " End of Route" "Cyclists Dismount" sign
This is highly misleading as NCR4 continues on the far side of the bridge.
The London Cycle Design Standards have :
A cycle route should never disappear abruptly
‘End’ signing and ‘Cyclists Dismount’ signs should not be used because they showthat consideration for cyclists has simply ended.
Created by ma499 // 1 thread
I ride through Bath Street daily and am getting cheesed off by the regular occurrence of motor vehicles loading at the southern end of Bath Street. They are a combination of deliveries for the supermarket and other shops on Old Street (north side, east of Bath Street) and mini-cabs waiting to pick-up.
The motors are invariably parked on the southbound (contraflow) cycle lane despite the presence of both a double yellow line and double yellow flashings (meaning no loading). Because of the proximity of the Old Street junction this is particularly dangerous because when you cycle out into the northbound lane to bypass the motor vehicle, you may run into a vehicle entering from Old Street at speed.
How do we get London Borough of Islington to properly enforce waiting and loading restrictions here?
Created by Donald Noble // 0 threads
This barrier is quite a tight squeeze for a normal bike without panniers, and would be very difficult/impossible to get though with an accessible bike/panniers/trailer etc.
Presume bollards could be used here to stop vehicles entering the path without causing an obstruction for bikes/wheelchairs etc.
Created by Colin Wing // 2 threads
Vauxhall Bridge Road was originally the proposed route of Cycle Superhighway 5. After Westminster objected that it would displace traffic onto local roads, a number of other routes were investigated and put out to public consultation. Although a two-way route on Belgrave Road proved the most popular with cyclists, Westminster doubted whether it was feasible. So attention has now turned back to Vauxhall Bridge Road.
Apart from the miserable remote location, has anyone else been having issues with the new exclusively double stack cycle parking?
1. My bike, a pretty normal size town bike, won't fit on the lower level because the basket won't fit under the beam mounting the upper level of the rack
2. Twice my bike has fallen out when removing it from the upper level. The wheel, also a standard size, isn't held firmly enough in the sliding rack when unlocked. The frist time it fell on me, causing minor injuries
3. The level of maintenance is abysmal, with obvious work required being left undone for weeks. The first instance of my bike falling out was a rack that wouldn't slide in so I was removing my bike to put elsewhere. Another time the bolts hoding a rack in had come off so the frame was loose and unusable. There are two frames on the side by the back of the racks which need refixing and have done as long as the racks have been where they now are
4. Why has the roadway got those obstructive plastic barriers all the way along, making access to the cycle parking very awkward? Such barriers are not placed between carriageway and pavements elsewhere
Created by Hester Wells // 1 thread
Churchill college are doing some construction, which has resulted in a new access built across the shared walking/cycling route on Madingley Road.
Richard G // 1 thread
Noticed recently there are a good number (>15) of bikes that look abandoned - rusty & flat perished tyres, at Trumpington P&R
I've not seen any notes about any clear outs for years
Created by Gregory Williams // 1 thread
The surface of the Crab & Winkle Way following the old railway alignment between the two tarmac sections is getting very bad. The exposed sub base is making the surface potentially unsafe and quite unconfortable to use. The comfort aspect will be detracting from encouraging further people to choose to cycle commute via this route.
Created by Bracken VanRyssen // 0 threads
The (relatively new) shared-use pavements around Windward Way and Auckland Drive, have no priority over any of the numerous Cul-de-sacs, many of which are little more than communal driveways. The constant need to give way at each of these points makes cycling along the route uncomfortable and tedious, as well as making it harder to conserve momentum.
Created by Bracken VanRyssen // 0 threads
Currently there are pedestrian fences, bollards and curbs separating the two sections of Lugtrout Lane, preventing easy access from one section to the next and avoiding cycling along the 40 mph plus Damson Parkway. This would be an ideal point for some dropped curbs and appropriately spaced bollards to increase permeability for cyclists. There is clearly latent demand for a decent cut-through as the area to the left of the railings has had the grass worn away by the imprint of bicycle tyres.
Created by Bracken VanRyssen // 0 threads
The off-road/ service road cycle provision ends at Rowood Drive and is replaced only be a short section of advisory cycle lane culminating at an advanced stop line at the junction with Cornyx Lane, leaving the last few miles to the town centre completely absent of cycling infrastructure. It is no doubt expected that cyclists use the alternative route via Glebe Road, however this is a more circuitous route consisting of narrow and badly surfaced shared-use alleyways. With the last quarter of a mile lacking even shared-use pathways or cycle crossings, as well as this way-finding and social safety is poor.
Cyclists value direct route as much as, if not more than, drivers and failure to cater to this and provide safe infrastructure is unlikely to encourage cycling.
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Created by DavidT // 2 threads
The current layout of the pedestrian crossing at the junction of Winchester road and Vermont close forces cyclists out of the cycle lane and into the flow of traffic. This is a risky maneuver and relies on the patience of the car driver behind the cyclist. A possible solution would be to be extend the cycle lane through the chicane, with give way markings so that pedestrians have right of way.
Southampton Cycling Campaign has received many reports of local cyclists having accidents on the cycle path outside the Dominos Pizza outlet at the southern end of The Avenue.
A recent incident was reported in the Southampton Echo, http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/10475081.Cyclist_hurt_in_road_crash/
Created by Shaun McDonald // 1 thread
There is a loading bay in the cycle contraflow cycle lane, which means that the cycle lane is blocked for cyclists as soon as a vehicle is parked there. This means that cyclists have to pull out into the path of oncoming buses, thus making the NCN route unsuitable to young children or inexperienced cyclists.
We have a tandem which fits in all the spaces on trains in Scotland (as far as I know), but we are prohibited from taking it on any except the East Coast line trains. I've been writing to various officials - elected and otherwise - and contributed to the recent review of the Scotrail franchise, but am not getting much joy. No one seems to think it is a big deal. But, for my family, with 2 kids aged 5 and 1, and no car, if we don't go by tandem and train, we can't go anywhere much. The tandem is not a luxury but a practical transport solution. Does anyone else want to join in and make this more than a one-woman issue?
(another related issue: even once the kids can ride their own bikes, we won't be able to use trains much since most only allow 2 reservations).
Created by PeterMac // 1 thread
Redesign of Grey Street to remove the danger of cars reversing (blind) out parking bays into middle of the road.
Created by Alex Oldman // 1 thread
Disused railway tracks on St Peters Dock provide short section of road surface that is dangerous to traverse from East to West by bike.
If you are avoiding crossing the tracks then you are forced into oncoming traffic.
If you cross the tracks, you are then potentially trapped between parked cars and the railway tracks, which can be dangerous.
The tracks are very slippery when wet or icy, and sections are often hidden underwater because there is poor drainage after heavy rain.
Ideally the tracks are totally removed, or the surface covered with concrete or tarmac.
Created by Gregory Williams // 1 thread
The A2 is a hostile environment for cycling. Cyclists should be directed away from using the A2 towards existing safe alternatives (e.g. RCR16) and the current A2 cycle signs should be removed.
Created by Andrea Casalotti // 1 thread
Here is an ambitious plan for a Bicycle Boulevard from Shoreditch to Fitzrovia, along Old Street, Clerkenwell Road and Theobalds Road, open only to bicycles, buses and motor traffic for local access only.
a. It is now the most cycled route in London, showing that it is the desired EW route.
b. It is of variable width, therefore trying to accommodate bikes, buses, and through traffic in a consistent and safe way is impossible. In other words, a compromise will be a botch job.
c. There will not be mixing of buses and bicycles: bicycles will have a dedicated two way cycle lane on the South side of the street.
d. The Boulevard stops being a mega- EW-rat-run. Motor traffic will have to use Pentonville/City Road.
More details here: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1yw9mkHhGZaVBKYJs6FxyhC1Z4nNYVl-IFH-aR1ScK9U/pub?start=false#slide=id.p
Martin Lucas-Smith // 29 threads
Proposed route along the rail corridor through Cambridge, part of which is in the Cambridge Local Plan.
Surface, drainage and width issues.
Planned for upgrade as part of CEC 'family network'
No details/dates.
Was an issue 5 years ago (and before)
Created by David MacKay FRS // 1 thread
Our campaign for safer walking and cycling to/from NWCambridge now has a petition and a first video (of five) summarising our position.
See our new video summarising our petition:
https://youtu.be/hIlQAzsU0js?t=1s
I’d be delighted if you could promote this to your networks. Time is of the essence because a Senate House discussion is coming up [3 Nov 2015], and I will report the number of signatures on our petition there. (But signatures after the date will still be useful.)
More information:
http://tinyurl.com/EddingtonSafety
The petition:
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/EddingtonSafety
Anyone is welcome to sign the petition; we ask people to use the Comment field to let us know if they are University Member / University employee / City resident / SouthCambs resident / etc.
For twitter purposes the recommended hashtag is #EddingtonSafety and there is an @EddingtonSafety account too.
Thanks very much
David
David J C MacKay FRS
djcm1@cam.ac.uk
Regius Professor of Engineering,
Cambridge University Engineering Department
Author of “Sustainable Energy - without the hot air” www.withouthotair.com
and “Information Theory, Inference, and Learning Algorithms” www.inference.eng.cam.ac.uk/mackay/
Girton resident and parent.
Cambridge Cycling Campaign Member
Created by londoncycler // 1 thread
Six inch high ridge near left side of north bound lane on the south side of the bridge forces cyclists too close to the kerb or into the path of motor vehicles. Issue reported via CTC pothole reporting site. Resurfacing required.
Created by Rohan Wilson // 1 thread
I've visited Riverside to Waterbeach with William Rayner of county cycling team. He's revising signage here and providing it along the St Ives corridor, with the old NCN 51 being renamed Regional Route 24 (blue patch). We've decided finally to continue to sign NCN 11 from Riverside Bridge to Waterbeach Station, and he's looking at suitable (hopefully temporary) wording to advise to follow NCN 51 to Bottisham for destinations beyond Waterbeach, which will hopefully eliminate misrouting those from outside the area.
Our inspection of existing signs showed that only one new signboard was provided on completion 5 years ago of Riverside Bridge. Signboards still send people via Green Dragon. Sustrans considers signage is an important part of any route project.
The intention is to sign Milton Country Park as a destination, not as part of the route, removing route signs within the park, and probably retaining Coles Road as the signed route through the village, though it would be much preferable to have improvements past the shops and the village green, pubs etc.
Retaining the route to Waterbeach as NCN will help keep the gap in people's awareness.
I am planning to contact again the landowner of the missing link between Bottisham Lock and Fen Road, Lode with a suggestion for a low-level route, southeast side of the Bottisham Lode floodbank which is the route of the public footpath, where signs forbid cycling. It might be considered more visually acceptable. All parish councils are for the route, including the one of which he is a member.
Created by Andy Allan // 1 thread
Garratt Lane at Earlsfield station sucks massively for cyclists, and is a jarring interruption to the Wandle Trail (Sustrans route 20). It would be great to extend the riverside path underneath the railway to avoid this dangerous stretch of road.
Created by DavidTheScientist // 1 thread
While some painted "cycle lane" does exist northbound, there is woefully little provision for cyclists considering the huge number that use this section of road each day, a large number of whom are those who work at the General Hospital and other nearby health centres. Southbound cyclists have no real provision of space at all, save a graduated stopline, where cars turning right often try to pass right-turning cycles on the inside. Dale road itself is extremely narrow by winchester road, with almost no pavement space for pedestrians.
Cyclists heading northbound on Winchester road must beat traffic off the line at Dale road to get to the painted centre of Winchester road. North of the traffic light at The Range, the cycle lane is almost non-existent, placing cyclists between 2 lanes of heavy traffic, and cyclists have to stop and wait in this dangerous area in order to turn right onto Wilton road. Furthermore, the road surface, especially at this part of Winchester road, is currently deplorable.
Created by Robin Heydon // 9 threads
The A14 is a very hostile, dangerous road for cycling.
Improvements to it, as well as broader changes to the national framework for cyclist crossings of major roads, are needed.
Created by David Green // 1 thread
My employer is planning to relocate from central cambridge to the Cambridge Business Park (near Waterbeach). There is currently no decent cycle (or footpath!) access to this business park which avoids riding along the A10. I am a confident cyclist but I am not looking forward to riding to work along sections of the A10.
Are there any plans for cycle route construction which the campaign can, perhaps, help accelerate?
Martin Lucas-Smith // 1 thread
The permeability gate between Hooper Street and Kingston Street is obstructive as it only allows passage in one direction at a time.
Given the ever-increasing amount of cycling in areas like this, it's time to get this replaced with a simple bollard arrangement that would allow two-way passage whilst still enable the emergency services to unlock for access in an emergency.
Created by HVS // 2 threads
The A41 ring road cuts across a useful quiet route north-west out of Chester, which is an alternative to the traffic-free Greenway (which is unlit, and slippery in icy conditions). Crossing the A41 during busy periods - e.g. when commuting at rush-hour - can be a slow and potentially very dangerous process, especially after dark. A better crossing for cyclists and pedestrians, or a lower speed limit on the A41 (or both), would be very helpful here.
[Original version of map was wrong; I've now updated it.]
Created by Chris Neston // 2 threads
The cycle path crosses the soutbound exit from the M53 at Cheshire Oaks. The exit is light controlled for traffic as they enter the roundabout. This provides a safe time for cyclists to ride across the sliproad. However the lights are not visible to cyclist on the path and there is no light provided to advise cyclists when they can cross.
This makes it very difficult and dangerous for cyclists to know when they can safely cross. This would require no physical change to the road layout simply a new light to show cyclists when to cross.
Created by Simon Nuttall // 19 threads
The Reach Fair ride takes place on the early Bank Holiday Monday (May Day) in May.
The web page for it is:
http://www.camcycle.org.uk/events/rides/
The planning overview is summarised:
http://www.camcycle.org.uk/events/rides/timeline.html
I've created this issue to help plan this event.
Created by Rosie Downes // 5 threads
Transport for London's public consultation on Cycle Superhighway 1 is open from 16 February to 29 March. The LCC office has set up this thread to facilitate discussion of the proposals.
Created by WildNorthlands // 1 thread
Brook Hill roundabout is a major barrier for cyclists in West Sheffield. The traffic is fast and as it is a three-lane spiral roundabout with the exit roads (except Bolsover St) having two lanes there is a lot of lane-switching by motorists. This makes the risk of a collision very high, and for less experienced cyclists it is simply a no-go area.
Many of the buildings adjacent to the roundabout belong to the University, and have been built up to the curtilage, so there is no space to expand the pavements and make them shared use.
One alternative for cyclists coming from the Walkley/Crookes area via Bolsover St is to use Tower Court, but this area can be very congested when the University is in session, with several thousand students using the Arts Tower and Library.
The council has signed an alternative route via Weston St and the Netherthorpe Rd tram subway, but this involves a drop in height of about 100 metres and subsequent climb up again, plus the negotiation of access barriers in the subway, so is not really sensible.
Meanwhile on Upper Hanover Way, a cycle crossing was severed when the tramway was installed, although cyclists still use the crossing. A proposed alternative crossing is stalled as it is too expensive.
What can be done about this knotty problem?
As the bridleway crosses Milton Road, it swaps sides of the busway, so most pedestrians and cyclists want to cross diagonally. However the toucan crossing only protects people crossing Milton Road. It doesn't stop busway traffic.
This is confusing and dangerous. When the road traffic stops at red lights, and the Toucan crossing turns green, it feels very safe to cross the busway. Yet buses can come from three directions (busway west, busway east, Milton Road south) at speeds of 30 mph.
Cyclists in particular are tempted to cross diagonally from north west to south east. Last week I saw a near accident.
Created by Eric Booth // 2 threads
Prince St bridge is an anarchic pigs ear. I like pigs and fond of a bit of anarchy but it's getting beyond a joke. Of course it will all be sorted out properly in due course but we could live with this for years. Here's a quick fix:
SOUTH
1. Move south vehicle stop line back 10m behind tramlines
2. Remove all bollards unless one or two kept in line with centre of bridge with arrows right for cars
3. Widen cycle lane from bridge to Festival way turn so suitable for 2-way cycling.
4. Put in Give Way painted line at an angle running from enlarged cycle lane to centre line so southbound cyclists alerted to need to filter across traffic.
NORTH
1. Remove all bollards
2. Widen cycle lane for 2 way cycling all the way up to the traffic lights with The Grove.
3. Remove 5 bollards on each side of north bound traffic light along with the two set back
4. Paint cycle lane passing behind light and then back onto carriageway making it nice and clear that it's an option for cyclists when lights red or they can carry on (as most will, no worse than now but at least it will be clear that they can treat these as 'give way')
5. There will need to be 'give way' paint to make clear that pedestrians have right of way on the by-pass.
Yes it's muddled but less so than now and makes the desire lines easier. It's also a cheap paint based fix pending the proper job.