LCDS draft
A section by section discussion list for recording comments on the current 2014 consultation draft of the London Cycle Design Standards - LCDS
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 charlie_lcc // 10 threads
A section by section discussion list for recording comments on the current 2014 consultation draft of the London Cycle Design Standards - LCDS
Created by charlie_lcc // 5 threads
The London Cycle Safety Action Plan 2 (CSAP2) draft is out for consultation. Deadline 25th July 2014
https://consultations.tfl.gov.uk/cycling/draft-safety-action-plan
Since the changes to Mare St at Westgate St some vehicles travel past the children's centre in Triangle Road, at excessive speeds, to avoid the traffic light at Mare St . Can Hackney Council add a restriction in Triangle Road.
Created by Richard Moss // 1 thread
The Over to Longstanton road is to be closed from 30 June 2014 for 9 weeks for reconstruction of Gravel Bridge.
Created by Paul L // 3 threads
Richmond Council say
"a signalised PUFFIN crossing with pedestrian countdown outside number 182 Kew Road (previously outside 180) Footway widening both sides of Kew Road. We have attempted to minimise the impact on the cycle lanes by introducing long tapers and following existing extended footways where possible. The kerb widening is essential to ensure sightlines to the signal heads past the many street trees."
We suggested cranked supports for the signals to avoid the loss of cycle lanes but they claim TFL disapproval.
Created by timlennon // 1 thread
Text of message from TfL:
All,
We are proposing to convert the current dual PUFFIN crossing at the above location to a dual TOUCAN crossing, formalising the facility for cyclists.
The initial design is attached, which includes localised resurfacing of footways and some carriageway works. A lighting assessment has also been undertaken which recommends a full lantern replacement of the columns retaining all lighting columns once structural testing has been completed and passed.
We also propose to extend the shared use footway further north on Marksbury Avenue and further south on Manor Grove to enable safer entry/exits for cyclists to the TOUCAN crossing.
The impact (if any) is currently being determined by Traffic Signals.
If you have any comments or suggestions, please let me have these by cop Friday 27th June.
Created by londoncycler // 1 thread
On the south (Southwark) side of the bridge just before the central section there is a very prominent ridge approximately one metre away from the kerb and running parallel to the bridge for some 30 metres. It is located exactly in the path of cyclists crossing the bridge who can be knocked off as they cross the ridge in either direction. In the dark and in the wet the ridge is very hard to see and cyclists may not see the ridge. The fault has been reported repeatedly in the course of more than 2 years to the local highway authority but no action has been taken. Can the highway authority explain why the ridge has not been removed?
Created by David Earl // 1 thread
The DfT have written to us with a proposed TRO to replace the sliproad from westbound A14 at Girton to southbound M11. This is also part of the widening scheme between Histon and Girton, but this aspect requires an order to give the lane motorway status. The main effect seems to be to lengthen the A14 part of the slip road to reduce queues on the main A14.
I don't think anything particular needs doing with this, so I don't plan to scan the correspondence, but if anyone wants if, please ask.
Preferred route to be signed as an alternative to Chilwell High Road agreed between City, Broxtowe and County Councils.
Created by MJR // 2 threads
Some of (the last of?) the s106 money from two out-of-town big box supermarkets is being used to remodel the connections between the bus and rail stations. National Route 1 runs through this area and the bus station may also be Lynn's biggest cycle park, so there's quite a lot of potential for this to do good - or to do harm.
Created by Charlie Halliday // 1 thread
Notices have recently been put up by the Blackwater Valley Countryside Partnership on the section of the Blackwater Valley Path which passes through Hollybush Lakes near North Camp station.
Although there is a legal agreement to use this stretch as a footpath, there has never been one to permit cycling there and the owner is quite within his rights.
This is not a historic route, there is no sign of it on my 1956 OS map.
The Blackwater Valley Countryside Partnership is trying to resolve this but the cycling route may have to be diverted.
Area Committees are a joint meeting attended by both city and county councillors. They decide on planning issues in the area, but also have a role in the allocation of community development money from S106 contributions. They offer an opportunity to engage with multiple councillors at once, through the Open Forum section and speaking on specific Agenda items. The East Area's website is here: https://www.cambridge.gov.uk/west-central-area-committee
Speaking at these meetings is a good way of making your feelings on matters the councils control public
As discussed between local cycling organisations there is a desperate need for a signed route which avoids Chilwell High Road where there have been a number of accidents now tram tracks are laid in places. This route also avoids Beeston High St which is a lengthy dismount section from 9-5. This route supersedes the previous northerly route. A southern avoiding route has also been plotted on cyclescape
Created by Jean Dollimore // 1 thread
The proposals seek to improve road safety on the streets surrounding Regents High school in Somers Town which is being rebuilt. This school is labelled "South Camden Community School" on the map.
The consultation is on Camden's website at:
Currently the school is accessed from Charrington Street but the new building is going to face the other way and will be accessed via Chalton Street. Therefore most of the proposal are related to making a new school entrance and building out the footways in Chalton Street while taking them away in Charrington Street. All of this is clearly necessary, but doesn't appear to add to road safety.
The council also proposes a new speed table at the junction of Chalton Street and Aldenham Street. This would help with road safety.
Cyclists are already concerned with the rat-running on Ossulston Street; this quite likely accesses Eversholt Street via Chalton Street. Surely we should ask for this rat running to be prevented both for the safety of the cycle route and for children going to Regents High School?
Created by Peter Loader // 0 threads
The Maple Cross to Rickmansworth cycle route is one-way along Berry Lane (between Church Lane and Field Way, Mill End).
Anon // 0 threads
There is currently no secure locks provided at Port Rodie bus stop, the main departure stop for buses eastwards towards Dumfries and Carlisle.
There is a very poor road surface on the left hand northbound lane of Stockport Road (A6) after the Plymouth Grove junction.
This is dangerous as if you bear left it encourages traffic behind you to sneak past you, if you go through it can damage your bicycle or even cause you to come off, if you bear right brings you into direct conflict with traffic which often wants to merge into the right hand lane.
The solution is very simple, resurface this small section of road.
Created by Peter Loader // 0 threads
Transport Initiatives LLP is an independent transport planning consultancy. They have carried out an audit for Three Rivers District Council classifying roads, paths and crossings in terms of the UK National Cycle Training Standard (Bikeability) Level needed to be able to ride in comparative safety. The results can be seen on Three Rivers District Council's web site.
Transport Initiatives have classified the roundabout at M25 Junction 17, the adjacent Maple Cross Roundabout, and the dual carriageway between them as Level 3.5, i.e. "Roads & crossings with a very high level of risk, unsuitable for even highly experienced cyclists".
For detailed documentation, please see
http://www.threerivers.gov.uk/Default.aspx/Web/CyclingInformation
and download
Maps by area|Maple Cross
plus
Cycling safety audit|CSNA Leaflet
Following closely the route of an old railway line between Colchester and Brightlingsea this proposed route would link Colchester to Walton-on-the-Naze. It provides a much needed commuter route out of Brightlingsea linking it safely to Wivenhoe, the University of Essex and Colchester and creates a new leisure route in a holiday district. It builds on the existing four mile NCN51 route from Colchester to Wivenhoe by adding 5 miles off-road to Brightlingsea via a new river crossing at Alresford Creek. From there it utilises an existing pleasant frequent summer ferry crossing to Point Clear and creates a 25 mile coastal route much of it off-road.
Created by Gary // 0 threads
To improve safety after numerous fatal car accidents the Highways Agency are currently implementing speed restrictions but are also designing a new roundabout for the A120 near Pellens Corner/Horsley Cross. NCN51 passes nearby. Cyclists don't generally want to cycle the A120 but we do have to cross it to get across Tendring District. Roundabouts are particular hard for cyclists to use on A roads. So will the Highways Agency proposal include the needs of cyclists? http://www.highways.gov.uk/roads/road-projects/A120-Pellens-Corner-Average-Speed-CamerasSafety-Improvements
Created by Gary // 0 threads
Why would you put a gate across an official cycle route through the "Hangings" in Harwich, on the North Sea Cycle Route from Harwich International to Harwich Town? I've seen visitors from Europe try and cycle through this obstruction with trailers.
Created by Anna Langley // 0 threads
In advance of whatever fair it is appearing on Midsummer common, the "cyclists dismount" signs have appeared on the entrances to the common.
Created by David Earl // 1 thread
Leaflet through my door today about "new homes on land off Teversham Road, Fulbourn". Unspecific at this stage, will be revealed, no doubt, at consultation event on 28 June. But it must be big for the scale of the consultation. It also has a website: http://www.castlefieldconsultation.co.uk but that also says nothing very specific as yet.
Created by Jean Dollimore // 6 threads
This scheme proposes to restore two way working in Tottenham Court Road (TCR) and in the Gower Street alignment which includes Bloomsbury Street and Shaftesbury Avenue. All the bus routes will be on TCR.
The consultation is on Camden's website at:
http://www.wearecamden.org/westendproject/
In TCR, Camden proposes a "bus and cycle street" from 8 am to 7pm (Monday to Saturday) with local access for cars, taxis and loading on short sections of Tottenham Court Road via side roads.
TCR will have a pair of 4.5m wide carriageways to be shared by cycles and buses (90 buses per hour in each direction) and by the additional local traffic.
In the Gower Street alignment, Camden proposes two-way access for private motor vehicles (no buses) and that these roads will have a pair of 4.5m wide carriageways, each including a lightly segregated 1.5m wide cycle track.
Other measures proposed:
- in both TCR and the Gower Street alignment Camden proposes raised sections of road to reduce motor speeds
- two-way cycling in all the side streets (except for Maple Street, University Street and Howland Street)
- new public spaces including a new park on Alfred Place and a ladder of calm side streets.
These changes to roads and to cycle permeability are shown in the diagram at:
http://www.wearecamden.org/westendproject/assets/images/cycling-plan-resized
Details of the road layout for TCR are at:
http://www.wearecamden.org/westendproject/assets/images/tcr-north-resized
and
http://www.wearecamden.org/westendproject/assets/images/tcr-south-resized
Details of the road layout for the Gower Street alignment are at:
http://www.wearecamden.org/westendproject/assets/images/gower-street-north-resized
and
http://www.wearecamden.org/westendproject/assets/images/gower-street-south-resized
Exhibitions are to be held at the Building Centre, Store Street on 19th June (10 am to 5pm) and 7th July (5pm to 8pm),
Camden Cyclists are holding a public meeting for cyclists to discuss this project.
On 30th June 7pm - 9pm
at the YMCA Indian Student Hostel, 41 Fitzroy Square, London, W1T 6AQ.
We will finalise our response to the consultation early in July.
The public consultation will run until Friday 18 July 2014.
Created by Charlie Halliday // 1 thread
Proposal by HCC to add advisory cycle lanes on both sides of Kingsmead between the SUP near the junction with Victoria Road to the entrance of Pinehurst car park.
The cycle lanes would have a contrasting red surface at the entrances to Sainsburys and the Kingsmead and Sainsburys car parks.
This map shows all issues, whether points, routes, or areas:
The most popular issues, based on the number of votes:
Created by Hester Wells // 1 thread
There is a campaign for a cycle route between Bar Hill and Cambridge, also connecting Dry Drayton, Madingley and Coton to North-West Cambridge.
Currently cycle provision for these villages is poor. Bar Hill has lower rates of cycling than other villages that are closer to Cambridge.
The campaign site is: http://www.bhddmadcycle.com/
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?
Created by Sarah Wood // 0 threads
This contraflow infrastructure is hazardous for several reasons: the path is very narrow - realistically around 0.5m wide, the cyclists is riding in the gutter, at risk of being doored and catching wing mirrors. What caught me out was a vehicle travelling North and turned right to access an entrance. Our sight lines were blocked by parked vehicles in parking bays to the right of the cycle path. Until this situation is addressed cyclists will continue to be vulnerable along this section of the road.
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 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.]
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 Sarah Wood // 0 threads
There are several pedestrian refuges along the road particularly at the western end of the road. The refuges cause a pinch point for cyclists. The road marking confuse priorities between those using the on road cycle path and other traffic.
Created by Andrew Woodward // 0 threads
Cyclist coming from the river come up Friars Lane exit and have to currently route right round Richmond Green because it is one way. Many do not and simply cycle across the green. The path across the green should be formally opened up to cyclists - as a share path with pedestrian priority - or a seperate track provided along the south side of Richmond Green.
Created by Kevin Ablitt // 1 thread
Motorised vehicles currently use the rat run through Milner Street to avoid the fraffic lights at Grove Lane/ St Helens St.
This is part of NCN 41 , any extra traffic passing through here detracts from the cycling experience and is negative for residents.
Cyclist comments are needed now !
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.
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?
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 Andrew Woodward // 1 thread
I have serious concerns about the safety of this portion of the bike path; arising from its recent re-design. Recently my 10 year old son was in a very close “near-miss” with a car turning off the A316 into Bicester Road; and I believe many more similar incidents are likely occurring. Eventually someone will be seriously hurt or killed on it.
However, the improvement in the track leads cyclists to feel more confident in using it – giving a false sense of security.
In particular:
• The segregated track makes it particularly appealing for inexperienced and more vulnerable cyclists (such as kids).
• This track design leads to an increase in the cyclists speed.
• The smooth/quick nature of the track leads inexperienced cyclists to believe that THEY HAVE RIGHT OF WAY across side roads.
• There are no markings on the roads to tell drivers coming in or out of side roads that cyclists could be on the track crossing their path.
• There is a particular challenge for EASTBOUND cyclists.
To avoid stopping at every side road, when on the track travelling Eastbound (as per red arrow on photo) approaching roads such as Bicester road, the cyclist has to simultaneously
(a) check to their FRONT/LEFT side to see if a car is exiting the side road
(b) check BEHIND them on their REAR/ RIGHT hand side to see if a car is about to swing off the A316 into the side road (usually at speed) - (as per orange arrow on photo).
This is a hard combination to perform – looking 180 degrees opposite directions at the same time. If you are an inexperienced cyclist, on an apparently safe track, it is very likely that you will not realise you have to be this vigilant and not check adequately for cars.
Hence, my boy rode across Bicester road from the east and was very nearly hit by a car turning off the A316.
(Note that travelling from the west is somewhat easier as both the vehicles turning in from the A316 and those turning out from the side roads are in your front field of vision).
My suggestions for improving this situation are:
(1) Clearly mark the bike track across the side roads so cars are aware there are cyclists approaching from the side.
(2) Ideally, give cyclists priority across the side roads; so making cars slow to a halt and making it more intuitive for cyclists.
(3) To facilitate this, would require some stopping space for traffic coming on/off the A316 to after the bike track crossing
At roads such as Bicester road the bike track could be curved to the south by about 2m before crossing the side road – this curve in the track would
(a) naturally slow cyclists down as they approach the side road
(b) would provide vehicles moving onto the A316 a decent gap so they can separate the concerns of first negotiating the bike track then focus on getting on the A316;
(c) for vehicles coming off the A316 the additional space would give them space to stop and give way to cyclists.
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.
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 // 11 threads
Major planning application here - c. 10,000 homes
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 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.
Meeting with Leeds City Council to discuss possible remedial works due to high casualty rates.
Created by PurpleSue // 2 threads
I watch in wonder and amazement as the new cycle lane alongside the A41 from Mostyn lights to the zoo is completed - with lamposts in th emiddle of the path - not to mention a three legged road sign which I am sure will make passage impossible.
I will investigate more and take photos....
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 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.