Grey Street
Redesign of Grey Street to remove the danger of cars reversing (blind) out parking bays into middle of the road.
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:
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 Jack Thurston // 0 threads
We want widen and redesignate this footpath as a safe, dual use, route, especially to enable children to ride to school safely. This would allow cyclists to avoid a stretch of the Brecon Road and Pen-y-Pound, which are both fast and hostile roads.
See: https://consultations.tfl.gov.uk/streets/kingscross
Deadline: 24 March 2014
Note: the most significant place in this proposal is the Gray's Inn Road/York Way route, where Deep Lee was killed in 2011.
Drop-in sessions: 4 and 11 March 2014
Time: 16:30 – 19:00
Venue: King’s Cross Neighbourhood Centre, 51 Argyle Street
CCC were consulted in advance and do not like the proposals. Our main objections are that these proposals:
1. fail to meet TfL’s own 2005 Cycle Design Standards, on many points,
2. put cyclists on the pavement at an extremely pedestrian-busy junction,
3. fail to narrow the traffic heading into York Way down to one lane early enough. It narrows, already, to one lane once it reaches the bus stops in York Way, so it is perverse not to narrow it before the junction, thus freeing up space for a cycle lane to take cyclists safely through the junction.
We have other more detailed objections which we will post later.
Created by litwardle // 0 threads
The most frustrating part of the journey is when I get to the square. To get to Castle Street you either have to cycle under the bridge. This underpass is far to narrow and has blind entry..It makes a heart racing cycle when someone comes in the opposite direction narrowly avoiding collision! The surface is also very slippery in the wet. The only way to avoid this is by continuing to the T junction at the square and turning left... Ooops No left turn!! Of course, even if you could there is no way to get to castle street without going over the bridge and doubling back! Any improvement here would make a huge difference!
The most frustrating part of the journey is when I get to the square. To get to Castle Street you either have to cycle under the bridge. This underpass is far to narrow and has blind entry..It makes a heart racing cycle when someone comes in the opposite direction narrowly avoiding collision! The surface is also very slippery in the wet. The only way to avoid this is by continuing to the T junction at the square and turning left... Ooops No left turn!! Of course, even if you could there is no way to get to castle street without going over the bridge and doubling back! Any improvement here would make a huge difference!
Created by User 609 (deleted) // 1 thread
It is likely a cycle route will run south from Packington St. I was just thinking how it could be continued north/west crossing Essex Rd, down Gaskin St, crossing Upper St and into Theberton St. At the moment, the main roads get quite busy and present a barrier to cycling.
Assuming Gaskin St can be made two way, I was wandering what the best design would be to make the links on Essex Rd and Upper St safest for cyclists (bearing in mind this would ideally be a quiet route).
Are there best practice examples of similar situations elsewhere?
Thanks
Tom
Created by Shaun McDonald // 2 threads
From 17 February to Wednesday 5 March 2014, Suffolk County Council is seeking your views on proposals for the Nacton Road and Ransomes Way corridor in Ipswich.
A number of major developments have recently been completed in this area, with further development expected in the period leading up to 2026.
Residents and business owners living or working alongside roads that may be affected have been written to individually.
The county council appointed AECOM to carry out a study to identify and assess potential improvement schemes to meet the projected increase in traffic associated with development in this corridor.
The primary objective of the study was to maintain traffic capacity on these key routes whilst also providing enhanced facilities for pedestrians and cyclists and taking the needs of public transport services into account.
An exhibition of proposals will be held at Gainsborough Library in Clapgate Lane (IP3 ORL). Comment cards will be available at the venue to fill out. Alternatively comments can be emailed to Suffolk.LTP@suffolk.gov.uk.
View the study display board information here (PDF, 2.7Mb)
There is also an opportunity to request a comment card and hard copy version of the proposals by calling 01473 265923.
The county council would like to know what you think about the proposals.
Responses must be received no later than Wednesday 5 March 2014.
Created by Jon_B // 1 thread
Warwick Road is marked as an "Advisory Cycle Route" on the Suffolk County Council cycle map.
However, in morning rush hour it is frequently backed up a considerable distance heading south towards the traffic-light controlled 4 way junction with St Helens Street / Spring Road / Grove Lane.
There is an ASL on these lights, but in practice the carriageway is too narrow to allow cycles to pass the stopped traffic on the left hand side - particularly as the route is used by buses which occupy the space right up to the kerb.
Overtaking on the right is not a safe option where there is queue of stopped traffic as this is a two-way road with the added complication of traffic pulling out from Lancaster Road.
Given that the motorised traffic flow seems to be mainly south bound it would seem appropriate to make this a one-way street with a proper cycle lane including changing the phasing of the lights to allow cycles an advance phase to make the turn into Spring Road / St Helens Street.
One-way flow up another of the cross streets (probably Palmerston Road ) in the Northbound direction would complete the "loop" for cars and also ease traffic flow on that road which is currently difficult for cars or bikes to negotiate in a northbound direction in rush hour.
Created by Katja Leyendecker // 0 threads
Superfluous to entry by motor traffic. East Pilgrim Street re-development takes note of that, and arranges Swan House roundabout accordingly
Remove council's paid car parking (not well used anyhow) whilst retaining residents car parking on the east side, turn car parking space into two-way cycleway. The road might be turned into a one-way, or better still 'residents only' street
Created by Katja Leyendecker // 0 threads
Space for cycling, two-way cycleway, kerb protected
Set aside space for cycling, and protect it by using a kerb. The road is busy as fast, and cycling requires dedicated space.
Necking-down for slower turning speeds and better pedestrian desire lines, clear marking of cycle ways, zebra crossing giving pedestrians priority over turning traffic
New junction into new housing development has cycle path combined with wide pavement, however the nearest drop kerb is 10m up the street into the development for vehicle access and after the pavement has been narrowed. This means the cycle lane is inconvenient for cycles to use and will push them onto the road. It is also inconvenient for other users such as wheelchair and prams especially as is inclined after junction.
Created by Rona471 // 1 thread
HertsCC proposal to create a junction speed table and zebra crossing at the junction of Avenue Road and Lemsford Road. The proposed zebra crossing will be north of the junction. The proposal is part of the Maple School Safer Routes to School project.
This junction is on the route of the Green Ring, where it crosses the railway using the bridge from Jennings Road.
The Avenue Road - Jennings Road link is used by many pedestrians and cyclists going to and from: St Peters Street / Carlisle Avenue (ie NCN6); Morrisons & the Alban Way (ie Green Ring); Verulam School (secondary); High School for Girls (secondary) and Maple School (primary). For cycling the route is great for avoiding Sandpit Lane.
The desire for cycling is that the raised table will provide easier access to the link and make the junction safer for cycling.
Created by George Britton // 1 thread
The developer, Inland Homes, is preparing an application to build new homes on the roundabout site of the Ham & Blackbird pub.
Plans reported in the local newspaper talk of 62 units (1-bed apartments), with a cafe/bar commercial area.
This is an extremely busy junction, providing access between the centre of Farnborough and the station. The current cycling provision is poor/non-existent cycling in multiple sections.
Another significant factor is the big parking expansion underway at Farnborough Main station, which will release approx. twice as many cars onto the roundabout every weekday evening…
There is a public exhibition of the proposals.
Details:
Venue - St Peter's Church Parish Hall, 60 Church Avenue, Farnborough, GU14 7AP.
Saturday 22nd February 2014, 1130 am to 4pm.
Repaint cycle logos on St Peter's street as they are becoming worn.
Created by Kate // 1 thread
This spot is part of the route that has potential to help people cycling avoid congested unappealing George Street in order to get to Richmond station or other parts of Richmond from the riverside. When you come up Friars Lane from the riverside you reach a junction where the traffic is one way away from central Richmond.
If you follow the one way system left around the Green you add at least 5 minutes to your journey time. You cannot turn right and take the quicker route because it is one way. You also cannot turn right up King Street to join George Street because that is also one way.
You also cannot go straight across the path on the Green as this is officially a footpath.
There is more than one possible solution here: a contraflow for cyclists on the side of the Green nearest to George Street. A cycle path alongside the footpath straight across the Green.
King Street would also benefit from a contraflow which would open up the options for cyclists - particularly when the riverside route is flooded.
Created by Kate // 1 thread
In order to avoid the muddy and sometimes flooded route along the riverside path it is possible to use a tarmac path across Petersham Field. However, at both ends of the field there are kissing gates which mean that larger bikes, bikes with child seats, cargo bikes, double buggies or larger prams as well as wheelchairs are either unable or struggle to get through the gate. The gates create an unappealing obstruction for "normal" bikes too.
I have been told by councillors and council officials that the gates are to keep in the cows which graze for half the year in the field. In Cambridge all the cows grazing on common land are kept in using cattle grids. Why can't this solution be used here?
Created by Andrew Woodward // 1 thread
RCC have requested up to 28 additional cycle parking stands in the vicinity of Kew Gardens station.
Created by HankChief // 0 threads
No dropped kerb to give easy access to/from the East Craigs Path Network.
Created by HankChief // 0 threads
No dropped kerb to give easy access to/from the East Craigs Path Network.
Created by HankChief // 0 threads
No dropped kerb to give easy access to/from the East Craigs Path Network.
Created by HankChief // 0 threads
No dropped kerb to give easy access to/from the East Craigs Path Network.
Created by HankChief // 0 threads
No dropped kerb to give easy access to/from the East Craigs Path Network.
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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.