Traffic Light Sensor
Traffic light sensor on Beechwood Avenue does not detect 6061 T6 aluminium bike frames very well
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 MikeF // 1 thread
Traffic light sensor on Beechwood Avenue does not detect 6061 T6 aluminium bike frames very well
Created by MikeF // 1 thread
Traffic light sensor on Tavistock Road at Derriford roundabout (inbound) is unable to detect cyclist correctly forcing extremely long waits in the early hours until a car comes along to trigger the lights
Created by Tom Chance // 1 thread
Making it safe and convenient to travel from Sydenham Hill onto London Road and then onto Wood Vale would improve the link from this part of Sydenham / Crystal Palace into East Dulwich and onto the LCN 25 and 22 routes north.
Currently one can either dismount at the bottom of the hill, cross Sydenham Hill and then London Road by foot and then take the off-road cycle lane onto Wood Vale; or one can cycle left onto London Road, cross two lanes of traffic, brake into the little cut and cross over the southbound traffic to get onto Wood Vale. The first route is slow and inconvenient, the second is dangerous.
Created by David Earl // 1 thread
According to the Cambridgeshire Road works register, Pembroke Street is going to be closed for a long period starting September 2 by the museum of Zoology. Not clear what, if any, the impact on cycles would be, but the hole will be a dramatic 10m deep, so the works will presumably be quite extensive. Also, Tennis Court Road closed for one day on August 9 to prepare.
http://roadworks.org/?u_se_id=30862209:1&e=545014&n=258186&z=7&t=b
Created by Chris Sandbrook // 1 thread
I have just watched a police car over-run the advanced stop lines twice on Gilbert road, once at the Carlton Way cross roads and then again at the Milton Road T-junction. Both times the police car was approaching an already red light, so they had ample time to stop before the line. The second time they filled at least half of the box. If the police in Cambridge can't be relied on to respect the advanced stop line, how can we expect the general public to do so? Does anyone have similar stories or any suggestions on what to do about it? I didn't get the number plate unfortunately, because I thought turning round and photographing a police car on my phone might be more trouble than it's worth!
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 WilliamNB // 0 threads
When cycling from Marsh Mills towards town, the pavement is a bi-directional shared path, albeit of poor quality and far too narrow to be safe. As you approach the junction where the off-ramp for Old Laira Road veers off to the left, cyclists are forced around a barrier to meet the road perpendicularly, where they have to wait until there is a large enough gap in traffic to allow them to cross.
This is one of Plymouth's main cycle routes into and out of the city, while Old Laira Road is not a main arterial route and indeed has a 20mph speed restriction in place further on.
It would be good if the on-footway cycle provision can become a segregated cycle path for a short distance, which may be continued across the slip road veering off to the left, as has been done on Laira Bridge Road recently, as well as on Alma Road, approaching the junction with Outland Road and Milehouse Road.
Clear signage could be erected to show traffic wishing to cross the cycle track that it should yield to cyclists.
The cycle track should be continued past the small traffic island and retain priority over traffic joining from Old Laira Road, before it can merge again with the shared pavement along Embankment Road.
Created by WilliamNB // 0 threads
When cycling north-bound along Tavistock Road, there is a cycle lane in places. Once out from under the Crownhill Road bridge the lane turns sharply left, forcing cyclists to yield to traffic joining Tavistock Road from the left.
The Highway Code states you should yield to traffic from the right and this junction is very dangerous to cyclists. It would be far better to simply continue the cycle lane straight ahead and erect yield signs to traffic joining Tavistock Road
Created by WilliamNB // 0 threads
When Chapel Street was recently renovated and resurfaced, new on-carriageway cycle lanes were painted. Sadly (predictably?) these lanes end just when they are most needed.
The fact that the lane ends, when cycling in a northernly direction, is in itself an annoyance.
The manner in which it ends is stupid beyond belief:
A yield sign has been painted at the end of the lane. This means, to remain perfectly within the law, cyclists riding in the lane must yield to traffic traveling in the same direction and may only proceed when there's no traffic approaching from behind.
It is legally possible to avoid having to yield by leaving the cycle lane before it ends and by riding on the main carriageway.
Created by WilliamNB // 1 thread
When travelling along Billacombe Rd in a westerley direction, there is a dedicated right-turn lane at the junction with The Ride. As is the case with many traffic lights across the city, there is an induction loop system buried in the road.
This seems unable to detect the presence of cyclists waiting to turn right at the lights, thus forcing cyclists to skip a red light.
Martin Lucas-Smith // 1 thread
The Cambridge News reports that new traffic calming is to be installed on Fen Road.
Cyclists' views ought to be included so the opportunity is taken to improve things for cycling rather than make things worse.
http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/News/150k-project-to-tackle-Fen-Road-racers-20130803060000.htm
Created by DaveE // 0 threads
The dropped kerb is about 5-10m down the pavement from where the cycle-path meets the road. This encourages cyclists to cycle along the pavement and there are no shared use signs to warn pedestrians.
Created by DaveE // 0 threads
The link between the cycle-path and Trent Close is missing. It is expected that cyclists should dismount, negotiate a large number of parked cars, and an un-dropped kerb to go from cycle path to road or vice-versa. This is unreasonable and I can't think of a reason not to have the cycle path join straight into the end of the road with no interruption.
The current situation encourages cyclists to cycle along the pavement for entire length of Trent Close to reach a dropped kerb, causing unecessary delay and potential conflict between cyclists and pedestrians, as the pavement isn't very wide.
Created by DaveE // 0 threads
The road surface on Wimlands Road is quite dangerously poor. There is much gravel on the road, particularly in the centre, and there are numerous small potholes to dodge.
This is leading to a risk of accidents involving cyclists and putting off inexperienced cyclists from cycling to work.
Created by DaveE // 0 threads
The lights seem to always wait until no traffic is coming on the road before changing in favour of cyclists/pedestrians using the cycle route (NCN 20) to cross the road.
The road is very busy and this equates to extended unecessary delays. What is the point in lights that hardly ever stop cars?
This, combined with the terrible surface of the path to the south, is discouraging cyclists from using the cycle route, pushing them onto the very busy road junctions to the east and west, which have little to no cycle provisions.
Another effect is encouraging people to take risks crossing before the ligths have changed, and leaving the lights to (eventually) change when no-one needs to cross any more.
Created by DaveE // 0 threads
The lights seem to always wait until no traffic is coming on the road before changing in favour of cyclists/pedestrians using the cycle route (NCN 20) to cross the road.
The road is very busy and this equates to extended unecessary delays. What is the point in lights that hardly ever stop cars?
This, combined with the terrible surface of the path to the south, is discouraging cyclists from using the cycle route, pushing them onto the very busy road junctions to the east and west, which have little to no cycle provisions.
Another effect is encouraging people to take risks crossing before the ligths have changed, and leaving the lights to (eventually) change when no-one needs to cross any more.
The condition of the cyclepath is so bad that a road bike with narrow tyres cannot be comfortably or safely ridden along the cycle side of the segregared path. There are numerous potholes of more than 25mm depth and quite a bit of loose gravel besides a generally very rough surface. The surface is more pothole than surface in places! It is even bad for mountain bikes and especially bad for small wheeled bicycles such as folding bicycles. This is forcing cyclists to use the pedestrian side of the path, with the potential for safety issues and confrontation. Last seen mid July 2013.
Cycling provision totally inadequate in proposals.
Created by Jon Warbrick // 1 thread
Contractor's safety fencing for some of the work going on adjacent to Addenbrookes has been put up on the adjacent cycle path, presumably because it's easier to to that than put it up in the building site itself. Unfortunately this obstructs about a third of the path.
Whoever did this obviously realised that this was problematic, since they have painted the path side of all the bases yellow. Unfortunately this doesn't help in the dark.
I can't see any obvious contact details for the contractors, apart from 'Tamdown' on an attached 'Danger - Deep Excavation' sign. Anyone any idea how to get this addressed?
Notice is herby given that Southampton city council
proposes to make the following
The City of Southampton(various roads)
(movement restrictions)(amendment no9)order 2013
1. the effect of the order is to remove the contraflow cycle lane on
second avenue between first avenue and the north-westernmost
access to the NXP site, approximately 150metres south-east of allington
road thus reverting this part of second avenue to two way traffic. The
contraflow cycle lane will remain on the part of second avenue between
the north-westernmost access to the NXP site and allington road.
2.Copies of the order, relevant map and statement of reasons for
proposing may be inspected during normal working hours at my enquiry
office. Further information may also be obtained from the Southampton
Highways Partnership (traffic management) on 02380798064
3.Any person wishing to object to the order must write to at the
address given below or email:
Traffic.Orders.legal@southampton.gov.uk stating the grounds for
objection within 21 days of this notice (i.e. by 2 August 2013)
Dated 12 July 2013
Richard Ivory Head Of Legal, HR and Democratic Services,
Created by Sam Saunders // 0 threads
The Brunel Mile is a notional route between Millennium Square and Temple Meads Station. A video (date uncertain) on the Better By Bike website shows the intended journey. http://www.betterbybike.info/video-list/millennium-square-to-bristol-temple-meads-along-brunel-mile
Some of the route shown in the video corresponds with Bristol Cycling Campaign's important orbital freeway: Fo1 Inner Loop Redcliffe Way to Triangle. (see https://maps.google.co.uk/maps/ms?msid=213139683046776952805.0004d820d652973f23c70&msa=0&ll=51.491805,-2.665343&spn=0.025758,0.032959&dg=feature) To enable a network to develop coherently as it grew, Fo1 would be our recommended route.
As it stands (July 2013) there is only one short section of the Brunel Mile that meets a majority of the criteria that would characterise a cycling Freeway, namely the segregated cycle lane across Redcliffe Bridge which fails only on the "continuous" criterion. It seems important that all of it should do, as a priority, given that sections of the Brunel Mile are very heavily used by cyclists and pedestrians, especially at peak times. For many visitors coming by train with cycles or using the Brompton Dock at Temple Meads this will be a first experience of cycling in Bristol. It needs to make sense and to be easy to use first time.
Issues and suggestions, as things stand, are as follows
1. Pero's Bridge already has too much pedestrian and cycle traffic. It is often uncomfortable for pedestrians and for cyclists. Keeping it as part of a major cycle route through the city is unacceptable. Route Fo1 uses Prince Street instead, where a wide segregated cycle lane would be feasible.
2. The Royal Oak Avenue, Queen Square and Bell Avenue sections would benefit from clear segregation of pedestrians and cyclists, along the lines suggested by the de facto segregation that tends to happen at peak times.
3. The pedestrian and cycle crossing at Welsh Back might benefit from an analysis of behaviour at that junction and consideration of standards adopted in other places. Casual observation suggests a great deal of uncertainty among all road users as to what is supposed to happen and who has priority.
4. At the end of Redcliffe Bridge cyclists are faced with uncertainty as to whether to continue along the paved area beside Freshford House or use the pavement alongside Redcliffe Way. Signage at that point (as it is all along the route) is confusing, inconsistent and unspecific.
5. Crossing Redcliffe Street by cycling straight over the zebra crossing and expecting cars to stop seems to be condoned, and practised. This doesn't feel right and matches no standards that I am aware of. A clear decision needs to be made about how cyclists and pedestrians can cross here without arcane knowledge of "Bristol Rules". Many of those using this (as on the other crossings on the Brunel Mile) are visitors to the city on their first mile of city cycling.
6. The following section of Portwall Lane could be made into a fully segregated cycle lane, with a better crossing at Phippen Street. The numbers of pedestrians, cyclists and out-of-office smokers on this section can be very high and leaving the traffic to fend for itself is inimical to a genuine 8-80 environment.
7. At the end of the Portway there is great ambiguity about how to reach Temple Meads on a bike. The Better By Bike video shows the least satisfactory option that ends abruptly on the wrong side of Temple Way with two busy pedestrian crossings and an unsatisfactory cobbled road to negotiate before reaching the front of the station. Most cyclists seem to use one of the more direct routes over light controlled crossings to The Friary, thence to the side entrance of Temple Meads where the presence of the Brompton Docks and the Cycle Hub van give a natural welcome.
8. Development work on the derelict "island" around Portwall Road East should take full account of the existing use of that section as a crossing point for cyclists and pedestrians getting to and from Temple Meads Station.
In conclusion, A cyclist coming off the platforms at Temple Meads should be able to see very clear signs about which exit to use, and which path to use to get to Bristol City Centre. At present there is nothing at all. Once they have made an exit they should be able to see cycling specific signs that are prominent and clear. They should then be able to follow a designated route that is self-evident and waymarked. The current pedestrian signs are elegant and have good maps, but they are no more use to cyclists than they are to motorists.
A cyclist wanting to get to Temple Meads Station from Bristol City Centre should be able to find the Brunel Mile (on Fo1) from wherever they are without too much difficulty, and then follow it confidently all the way to the railway platforms.
Martin Lucas-Smith // 1 thread
Cherry Hinton Road is currently mainly typical 'blue sign on a pavement' provision, despite having the edge-to-edge width in places for proper cycle provision. A longer-term objective should be to upgrade this.
Outside the old, unused entrance to the boatyard there are barriers that needlessly force cyclists to slow right down.
The cycle lane on Billacombe Road is unusable due to car parking in it.
Created by Eric Booth // 1 thread
I need to report a problem with a route in Whitehall. The council made a hoohaa about linking the cycle path to St George Park. They installed a contraflow in Stretford Road, a bike crossing over Whitehall Road and signage between the cycle path and the park. Laudable. I have used this route to take my daughter to Whitehall Primary School on Johnsons Road for the last year. She had her first Bikeability Lesson on Sunday and is now riding to school (aged 6 - v. proud!!). However, where the link goes through a snicket between the Kings Head pub and Packers Field it is being blocked by cars. This is making navigating a blind corner even more dangerous. Links to pictures below.
A lot of money was spent on this link and its being rendered unusable.
This map shows all issues, whether points, routes, or areas:
The most popular issues, based on the number of votes:
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.