VIE estate
Creating this in order to allow a discussion thread about it.
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 Cllr Ian Manning // 1 thread
Creating this in order to allow a discussion thread about it.
Created by Kevin Ablitt // 0 threads
From the picture ( https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@52.0377162,1.2020237,3a,75y,344.67h,90.27t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1s3qD7ifQ-yxT6s-syDxhktQ!2e0?hl=en ) you can see just how wide the road is. It is like this all the way from St Augustines r/bout all the way to Seven Hills . Look at the picture, the white van is moving but it barely fills half of the eastbound lane. Look at the west bound mandatory cycle lane - as usual has cars in it . The cycle lane is also very rough, much smoother to ride on the white paint !
I believe that we could have a high quality cycle facility in both directions .
The existing cycle route is better than nothing especially as it is mandatory but there is no enforcement against parking in the cycle lane, there are pinch points and the road space is ready for reallocation.
Created by Jon_B // 0 threads
The off-road cycle route between Woodbridge Road and Spring Road leads from the end of St Anthony's Crescent through to Trafalgar Close and could potentially be a useful link between these two roads, which are short of pleasant and safe link routes for cyclists.
However, the route is beset by at least 4 sets of barriers which are two narrow to ride through with a cargo bike, tricycle, bakfiets, hand-bike or similar. They do have a higher barrier which you can push a bike under, but this requires 4 dismounts which makes this totally impracticable as a cycle route and the barriers are still too low to pass under with a child in a bike seat.
It is clear from parallel tracks through the woods that a lot of cyclists simply bypass these barriers, but I can't see any possible reason why these are needed and why access control can't be provided by a set of sensibly spaced bollards. I presume the intention is to keep motor cycles off the route, but this seems like total overkill and in any event they could simply bypass the barriers if determined to do so.
There is no justification whatever for having 4 sets - surely if there is an effective barrier at each end then the middle ones are entirely pointless.
It appears to me that whichever authority is responsible for this route have failed to consider their duty to disabled users of the route (including disabled cyclists) as well as ignoring cargo bike users and cyclists with children.
These barriers should be removed and replaced with more conventional bollards to prevent vehicle access (and could then presumably be lifted out to allow vehicles which are required for maintenance etc.).
Created by KristianGregory // 1 thread
Dangerous double-roundabout at this location which lies at the top of an important cycle route (LCN 23)
Created by Simon Parker // 1 thread
I have just posted a blog about Bristol's Strategic Cycling Network, which I wanted to share with you. I would in fact very much welcome some feedback, and I hope this blog generates a bit of discussion.
http://bikemapper.blogspot.co.uk/2014/12/bristols-strategic-cycling-network.html
Merry Christmas all.
Simon
Created by Hester Wells // 1 thread
There is un-allocated money available from northern area s106 agreements for Cambridge and South cambs.
The council are currently looking for suggestions on how to spend it, within the requirements for the projects, which include the local transport policy priorities for walking, cycling and public transport.
The map is not accurate for the area covered: it certainly includes north Cambridge, a bit of Castle, and Histon, but the map was only up briefly. Once the minutes for the North Area Committee are published the definitive map will be available.
Created by Jean Dollimore // 1 thread
The main improvement for cycling is the facilitation of an eastbound route between Goods Way and Wharfdale Road. Unfortunately, due to Wharfdale Road being one way, this route currently doesn't work westbound.
Camden Council's proposals include the following:
- Permit cyclists to turn right out of Goods Way into York Way
- ASLs on all three arms of the junction
- Northbound approach on York Way towards Goods Way reduced to single motor lane, making room for a cycle lane
- Signalised green man crossings on all three arms of the junction (only one at present)
Created by Hester Wells // 1 thread
Proposals for changes to Barton Road / Newnham Road junction, driven by residents requests for changes.
Created by Colin Wing // 1 thread
This is Westminster's alternative route for its section of the East-West Cycle Superhighway. The following are the differences from TfL's proposal:
* Uses Stanhope Terrace instead of Bathurst Street
* Goes via the Mall, Trafalgar Square and Northumberland Avenue instead of Birdcage Walk, Parliament Square and Victoria Embankment.
A plan is available at http://committees.westminster.gov.uk/documents/s9058/Appendix%207%20Northumberland%20Avenue%20Option%203.pdf or http://bit.ly/1IN4i44
POSSIBLE Cycle Route Between Lowedges Rd/Chesterfield Rd + Bradway Fire Station Sheffield S8........using existing 8ft wide pavements by upgrading to "shared use".........This could connect to the new cycling "on + off " road routes being developed in the Meadowhead School area
Created by Jean Dollimore // 2 threads
At the S4C ride last May we heard Andrew Gilligan mention that QW 38 from Bloomsbury via Islington to Hackney would have priority. This route is now named QW 2!
The image shows the route proposed by Sustrans and TfL
You can also see the route of several QEWs on Google Maps at:
https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=zp87MfWRhyBk.kRHc5QlccN2c
QW2 is shown as a turquoise line labelled "Possible Bloomsbury to Walthamstow Quietway".
Camden Council is now consulting on some minor measures they propose for improving the stretch in Camden along Calthorpe Street and Guilford Street. These can be seen at:
https://consultations.wearecamden.org/culture-environment/quietway2
To summarise specific (from west to east):
- a new length of cycle lane into Bernard Street from Russell Square
- raised zebra crossing over Guilford Street at Queen Anne’s Walk
- raised table at the junction of Guilford Street and Grenville Street
- a large raised table on Guilford Street across Guilford Place (that will also enhance the N-S route down Judd Street and Hunter Street on to Lambs Conduit Street and Red Lion Street)
- between Phoenix Place and Farringdon Road, reallocate some carriageway space for cycle lanes
general changes will include:
- cycle symbols and signage
- replace granite setts on raised areas with asphalt.
Please provide your comments in the associated thread
Created by Jon_B // 0 threads
The area on the south side of the junction of Elm Street and Museum Street currently houses two decrepit benches, but could more usefully be utilised for cycle parking.
There are a number of businesses clustered around this area (including the large new "MyGo" youth employment centre) which could benefit from customers having access to cycle parking rather than having to go up to Queens Street.
Created by Jon_B // 0 threads
Cycle parking (ideally on-carriageway replacing an existing car parking space) should be provided on Cobbold Street to facilitate parents transporting children to St Margarets CEVAP school by bike. Existing cycle parking within the school grounds does not really make sense for this purpose as it requires cycles to be wheeled in and out of the site which is impracticable and could give rise to health and safety issues.
Off the roundabout, South on Dryburn Road is 2 lanes for ~4 metres before squeezing to one lane for the traffic-light pedestrian crossing and then re-widening to accommodative the Southbound bus lane/stop. If you are a cyclist taking this section then you really should take primary position as soon as traffic allows but many drivers do not accept that and will race up behind you and then alongside you if you have not made it to the bus lane yet.
I'm not sure what is the best solution, perhaps a sign "Give cyclists space" or if it is possible (and safe for crossing pedestrians) to add a drop-kerb before the traffic lights & painted cycle lane so cyclists can use a short stretch of the pavement to get to the bus lane.
Created by David Earl // 1 thread
"Proposed residential development to erect 10 studio flats, following the demolition of existing building on site. | Victoria Road Cambridge Cambridgeshire CB4 3DU"
Cycle parking deficiencies
Created by David Earl // 1 thread
Proposed extension to provide Dotcom facility with 4 bay van loading canopy & secure service yard. | Tesco Cheddars Lane Newmarket Road Cambridge Cambridgeshire CB5 8LD
This application re-routes the path west of the shop to make room for a new structure. The problem is it adds another right angle turn to the already ridiculous one at the west corner of the shop. With a tiny change it could also allow for access to the store!
Created by Colin Wing // 2 threads
This is a short section of Quietway 49 in Westminster. To the south, the route runs through Kensington & Chelsea to Albert Bridge.
There seems to be no sensible or convenient cycle route to access Fore Street pools cycle parking from the North as Fore Street appears to be one way for vehicles and cycles and the only other route from Lower Orwell Street is a circuit of the whole Star Lane / Fore Street Gyratory.
This section of Fore Street should be made two way for cycles. As it is only a short stretch and there is plenty of pavement space this might be an appropriate application for shared use on the pavement provided it is properly signed and marked.
Created by David Butler // 1 thread
Consultation by Manchester CIty Council on cycleway proposals along Wilmslow Road from Platt Lane to Barlow Moor Road.
Created by David Butler // 1 thread
Consultation of cycle lanes and junction changes by Manchester City Council
Created by Colin Wing // 3 threads
This is one version of the Jubilee Quietway in Westminster. It can only be implemented after CrossRail moves out of Hanover Square in 2018. It includes contraflow cycling in Holles Street and Harewood Place and the north end of Harley Street.
The northbound route uses Wimpole Street, as shown on the map. The southbound route uses Harley Street, as shown on the map for the version via New Bond Street.
Created by Colin Wing // 2 threads
This is one version of the proposed route for the Jubilee Quietway in Westminster. It includes a contraflow cycle track in New Bond Street and Vere Street. The southbound route is via Harley Street, as shown on the map. The northbound route is via Wimpole Street, as shown on the map for the version via Hanover Square.
Created by Colin Wing // 3 threads
This is the proposed route of Quietway 88 in Westminster. An alternative option uses the west side of Trafalgar Square instead of Cockspur Street.
Created by Colin Wing // 2 threads
This is the proposed route of the East-West Cycle Superhighway in Westminster.
Created by Colin Wing // 2 threads
This is the proposed route of the west section of Quietway 7 in Westminster. It joins the East-West Cycle Superhighway at Westbourne Terrace.
This map shows all issues, whether points, routes, or areas:
The most popular issues, based on the number of votes:
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 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.
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.
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.
Martin Lucas-Smith // 10 threads
Milton Road, like other main roads in the city, is a mix of typically bad bits of cycle infrastructure. There is considerable scope, possibly within the City Deal funding, to rework the whole streetscape to Dutch standards.
Meeting with Leeds City Council to discuss possible remedial works due to high casualty rates.
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 Matthew // 2 threads
On 1 January 2026, historic routes in England that aren’t properly recorded will be lost to the public forever. We are looking for people to volunteer their time to help us identify and register these routes before it is too late.
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 chdot // 1 thread
Longstanding issue about 'optimum' design, particularly to reduce conflict caused by vehicles turning from Teviot Pl due to signal phases.
Created by Mark A // 1 thread
A dropped kerb at this point would improve the route that people can take to cycle between Bear Flat and the city centre - making it easier to use Calton Gardens to avoid the section of footpath on the alternative via Holloway and St Marks Church.
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.
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 Roy Russell // 0 threads
This is a good location for "No Entry except Cycles".
The existing Traffic Order allows cycling past the No Entry sign.
The existing "cycle bypass" over the footway, which was rarely used, has been obstructed and largely destroyed by the adjacent building site.
The simplest solution is to add a supplementary plate "Except Cycles" under the No Entry sign.
Where the quite good segregated cycle lane joins The Ride, DfT advice was certainly NOT followed. As per DfT advice, when cycle lanes are merged with the carriageway, it should be done via a length of dropped kerb that is flush with the carriageway and the cycle lane shouldn't be joined at a 90 degree angle to the road.
Here, the cycle lane runs parallel to the road for a short distance before it loops around a large boulder specifically placed to force cyclists around and then finally joins the road at a 90 degree angle.
The kerb, though dropped, is far from flush and creates a risk for cyclists joining the track from the road.
This junction between the road and the track should be scrapped and redone according to DfT guidelines.
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 Simon Redding // 2 threads
The railway path from Sheffield down through Staveley & Poolsbrook stops at Arkwright Town. Since an opencast / landfill was south of this point, there is no trace of the former railway line to join to the trails at Sutton Spring Wood. This is an important local link.
Created by Matthew Phillips // 1 thread
The route on the east side of the A167 past Crossgate Moor and Framwellgate Moor crosses a number of roundabouts. The cycle-path leads you across the roads very close to the roundabout, via the central refuge in the middle of the road. Some of these roads have two lane entry to the roundabout. Crossing both lanes at once is tricky as you have to have an eye on whether the traffic is about to move out onto the roundabout. If you have a longer vehicle, such as a bus, waiting, then the route to the refuge is blocked. There are no road markings to warn motorists that cyclists might be expected.
The route is probably going to be improved as part of the Great North Cycleway. If these roundabouts are to be made safe enough for children to use, major alterations will be required. (The route goes past Durham Johnston School so should be available to children.) The route should cross further from the mouth of the roundabout, preferably on a different-coloured surface, maybe raised.
Created by SamGW // 1 thread
The Road between Great Wilbraham and Fulbourn is very well used by Cyclists, runners and walkers throughout the year. It is a single track road with a 60 MPH speed limit. A bicycle path here would encourage more people to cycle to Fulbourn and Cambridge. The path would significantly improve safety for cars, pedestrians and cyclists.
Created by Steve Crapper // 1 thread
This planning application is a revised version of a previous application that would have infilled the disused railway beneath Buttermilk lane bridge, preventing the disused railway becoming a vital new greenway between Bolsover and Poolsbrook country Park (extending the existing Stockley Trail)
The revised application has changed from infill to ramps, but this forces an unnecessary road crossing, when an underpass is perfectly feasible
please object on this basis if you are able . our campaign has created a Facebook page called "build the Stockley Extension"
Bolsover
Application reference : 18/00178/FUL
Created by Robin Heydon // 2 threads
The Landbeach Parish Council would like the bridgeway from Landbeach to Cambridge to be upgraded to a cycleway.
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 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 Stephan Matthiesen // 1 thread
The chicane at the west end of the Magdalene Glen path interrupts the flow when going uphills, particularly unpleasant for people with weak knees. It also forces cyclists uphills often to stop and start when there are other people going through, as it's not wide enough to pass.
It doesn't serve any useful purpose at it is on the top of the slope where cyclists are very slow anyway. As it's uphills, there is little danger that e.g. kids run out onto the wide pavement of Duddingston Pk South. Cyclists from the West are slow at this point anyway as they turn into the path.
Created by Shaun McDonald // 0 threads
The traffic lights at Eagle Street were timed such that travelling eastbound you would always get caught at the second set unless you were extremely fast setting off. After discussions with the council and it brought up at the Sustainability Forum by Cllr Smart, it was fixed to increase the length of time that those lights were green, and was great as you always knew you could get through the second set of lights without having to wait unless you just went through the earlier ones just before they went red.
However over the past few days the signal timing has changed back to the older timing where the probability of getting through the second set is virtually nil. In an ideal world they would be phased such that the first set would go green, then the second set would go green several seconds later at the point where you would be arriving at them, rather than having them change to green almost at the same time.