Route across Peckforton Hill (NCN45) at risk
NCN45 across Peckforton Hill at risk of being closed
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Listed issues, most recent first:
NCN45 across Peckforton Hill at risk of being closed
Created by tomguha // 1 thread
Cycle lane on Tooting High Street often blocked by cars
Created by Jim Chisholm // 1 thread
The traffic lights in Gt Shelford (Freestones Corner) are being replaced.
They've already done the DDA compliant paving and the cabling for the new lights is I believe done.
There may be an opportunity for ASBs and approach lanes on at least one of the A1301 approaches. Often motor vehicles turn left across those on cycles with only some 50% of left turning traffic correctly indicating
Created by Tim P // 1 thread
Portsdown Hill Road & James Callaghan drive are a set of roads along the top of Portsdown Hill that is currently used by a lot of cyclists for commuting, touring and leisure facilties due to the forts, views and open areas around it.
As such, it's a well known tourist spot to stop for a burger or take a picnic and fly a kite.
However, being on top of an exposed hill results in significant side winds which results in cyclists being blown about by gusts, and therefore all cyclists need to take primary position on this road to give them space. As a 40mph road, many drivers have significant issues with cyclists taking primary, and therefore perform many punishment/close passes.
The affect of this on cycling in the area is many
1) More people would cycle from the surrounding areas ( Waterlooville, Havant, Fareham/Lee on Solent ) to work at QA Hospital or the businesses on the hill if there were better cycle infrastructure.
2) More people would cycle from the surrounding area & to enjoy the space & views if it felt safer to get there.
Created by Tim P // 1 thread
The current A3 route through Purbrook is very dangerous both northbound and Southbound.
From both directions, there are shared Bus/Cycle lanes, which approaching from the south stop at the roundabout, and from the north stop at the traffic lights before it.
When traveling Northbound, the uphill section past the shops results in a slower moving cyclist, generally holding up Traffic, which causes lots of aggressive, close overtakes, which in a narrow road when "sharing" with HGV's and buses, is not a pleasant experience. Many cyclists therefore jump onto the pavement if feeling unsafe, or do not cycle this section.
When travelling southbound, most of the time the traffic is slow due to queuing for the roundabout, but the narrow, on route cycle route squeezes cyclists between parked cars and slowly moving traffic, directly in the door zone.
Given the remainder of the A3 Portsmouth/London Road corridor is of signficicant benefit to those that commute from Denmead/Waterlooville/Clanfield area towards Portsmouth, this is a real bug bear.
Created by Roxanne (Cycling Campaign Officer) // 1 thread
Demolition of an existing sports pavilion, erection of a new sports pavilion, alterations to an existing car park and a vehicular access, a cycle shelter, new flood-lit artificial surfaced sports pitches and associated soft and hard landscaping.
St Marys School Playing Field Long Road Cambridge CB2 8PX
From the Design & Access Statement:
9.4 Cycle Parking
The Cambridge City County Local Plan 2006 Appendix D obligates schools to provide 50% of cycle spaces for children aged 5 to 12 and 75% for children over 12 years old. Under the same Local Plan, the college is obligated to provide cycle spaces for all students plus 1 for every 2 members of the staff.
The proposed pavilion will provide a changing space for maximum 4 teams of 20 players plus 2 staff each, therefore we declare to provide cycle stands for a minimum of 84 bikes.
Current site layout allows for 62 cycle spaces under roof canopy and 64 uncovered stands, therefore exceeds the minimum requirement defined in the Local Plan.
Created by Roxanne (Cycling Campaign Officer) // 1 thread
Erection of dwelling following demolition of existing triple garage block. New vehicular access from highway to serve existing dwelling.
4 Cavendish Avenue Cambridge Cambridgeshire CB1 7US
House includes a combined bin and cycle store for three cycles. The space indicated on the drawing does not appear big enough for both bins and cycles. I question whether providing for three cycles is enough considering there is room for at least two cars.
Created by Cycling Dumfries // 1 thread
The Maxwelltown Cycle Path runs along the back of the Cuckoobridge retail park, but there's no easy access from the path into it. At the moment cyclists and pedestrians have to come off the path, cross the Glasgow Road at the lights (which are very slow) and then go into the retail park via the exit from the KFC drive-thru window, which is potentially quite dangerous. It would be quicker and more convenient to have a path from the cyclepath into the car park directly. We note that the new Aldi seems to have a direct entrance being built, which we welcome
Created by Roxanne (Cycling Campaign Officer) // 1 thread
Redevelopment of St John's Innovation Centre.
Not sure how this application was missed. But we should be aware of what is going on here. There are a few conditions pending consideration which may provide an opening to make comment if we determine the need.
There is a lot of sheltered cycle parking of both two-tier and Sheffield stand variety in several locations around the site.
Created by Roxanne (Cycling Campaign Officer) // 1 thread
Erection of 25 dwellings including 40% affordable along with access, car and cycle parking and associated landscaping
Land at Belsar Farm, Willingham
http://plan.scambs.gov.uk/swiftlg/apas/run/WPHAPPDETAIL.DisplayUrl?theApnID=S/3145/16/FL
South Cambridgeshire
Application reference : S/3145/16/FL
Created by Monica Frisch // 8 threads
Cycle routes and cycle paths need maintenance. This issue is somewhere to raise matters relating to standards of path maintenance, problems of poor maintenance, and examples of good maintenance.
Created by Ian Dent // 0 threads
There is developer interest in building houses on the existing arable land. Lime Lane (west end) is currently completely unsuitable for cycling. East End with off road cycle route is good. The developer should be encouraged to extend the existing cycle route parallel to Lime Lane to the junction with A608 and then, using a suitable crossing, to NCN.
Created by Cycling Dumfries // 1 thread
It's possible to get to the new shared-use path near the High School from the Caledonian Cycleway/ St Mary's Industrial Estate / Edinburgh Road using cut throughs and back streets but it's not at all clear. A couple of signs on the corner of the Moffat Road / Carnegie St, Greystone Crescent, and the Edinburgh Road and St Mary's Road path entrances, plus a fingerpost at the junction of the three paths at the foot of the Caledonian Cycleway would be really helpful to make the most of this developing off-road network
Created by Cycling Dumfries // 1 thread
Torthorwald is only a couple of miles from Dumfries but very few people are willing to cycle on the Lockerbie Road/ A709. An off-road path running parallel to the road down to Heathhall forest would connect up with the Caledonian Cycleway and provide an accessible route into town.
Created by Colin Wing // 1 thread
Proposal for the introduction of two-way traffic operations on Brook street (between Bond Street and Grosvenor Square) and Davies Street (between Brook Street and Berkeley Square)).
Created by goodlegs // 1 thread
More than once I have been waiting at Warburton Road as it meets Mare Street for a break in traffic so that I can cross to Tudor Road (which is filtered for motor traffic so a nice way to reach Victoria Park) when a car behind me has been very agressive. On one occasion I was "nudged" by the driver literally driving into my back wheel.
I think the aggression stems from:
a) drivers using this route precisely because they are in a hurry / rat running to avoid the traffic lights on Mare Street, so not being willing to be held up
b) drivers not understanding "why doesn't he go?" when it would have been possible for me to turn left (as the driver wants to). I need enough clear space on both sides of the road to go straight across.
Created by MJR // 1 thread
This area is proposed for development. It is of strategic interest because access will almost certainly cross National Route 1 and it would be good to have very good cycling connectivity to avoid adding unnecessary cars to the roads in this area.
Created by jpennycook // 2 threads
Outline application for up to 150 new homes and to include access
Land At Redlands Reading Road Sherfield-on-Loddon Hampshire RG27 9EA
Basingstoke
Application reference : 16/02457/OUT
Created by George Reeves // 0 threads
This is pointless and dangerous ASL it encourages cyclists to squeeze between large vehicles(anything transit van and above) There is the added danger of the railing a relic from when a secondary school stood on this corner.
Created by M Stanley // 1 thread
Message from Cycling UK:
It has been brought to Cycling UK’s attention that an exciting new bicycle project is under consultation in your local area of Leeds, which would benefit from supportive comments from local cyclists.
You can submit your comments up until the 16th December.
The project is the conversion of a Local Authority owned golf course (Middleton Park Golf Course ) into Leeds Urban Bike Park. The vision is that the Bike Park will eventually comprise a number of progressive trails for all levels of cyclist, plus BMX and play tracks, together with a community building providing a café, bike hire and maintenance facilities and other community use spaces.
It is proposed that the facility will be operated and managed by Cycle Pathways, a Community Interest Company Limited by guarantee.
Cycling UK would like to thank you in advance for taking time to submit your comments on this wonderful project proposal in Leeds.
Respond to the planning application:
Full details and documents:
Created by Roxanne (Cycling Campaign Officer) // 1 thread
Erection of extensions to Norfolk Building for common room, 16 student rooms, college offices and research space, cafe and kitchens; erection of 6 family accommodation units; landscaping and cycle parking following demolition of maisonettes.
St Edmunds College Mount Pleasant Cambridge CB3 0BN
"The College currently has 304 cycle parking spaces that includes 146 Sheffield hoops providing 292 spaces and 12 single V stands. The current proposal is to add a further 22 Sheffield hoops under a cycle shelter providing a total of 348 cycle spaces."
Created by Roxanne (Cycling Campaign Officer) // 1 thread
The proposal comprises the conversion of the existing end terrace known as No.48 New Square and will comprise of 3No. self-contained flats, the demolition of the existing garage and the erection of 1No. self-contained studio-flat and the removal of 4No. Parking bays accessed via Willow Walk and the erection of 1No. self-contained flat. All with associated landscaping and access arrangements.
48 New Square Cambridge Cambridgeshire CB1 1EZ
" Cycle Parking
Cycle parking has been designed in accordance with the Council’s current standards - Cycle Parking in Residential Developments (2010). The new flats are to be provided with a communal covered and secure cycle store within the building fronting Willow Walk. Access will be solely via New Square through the communal garden.
The store will be fitted with steel Sheffield cycle stands spaced in accordance with Diagram 3 of the above guide. Access gates are to be a minimum of 1m in width where required, and fitted with mortise locks."
Created by Roxanne (Cycling Campaign Officer) // 1 thread
Change of use of HMO and takeaway to a three storey rear extension, and roof extension to form 3no new flats. New rear annexe to create a further 2no flats.
61 Norfolk Street Cambridge Cambridgeshire CB1 2LD
Application reference : 16/1916/FUL
Very little description of cycle parking. The drawings look like "wheel-benders". Only 9 spaces.
"The area will consist of a grass area and the planting of a central tree. Footpaths provide access the rear building and to the proposed cycle stand."
"Access to the ground floor flat to 61 Norfolk Street is via an existing entrance door. Access to the rear courtyard, bin store and cycle stand is via a newly formed security gate and passage at ground floor level."
Created by Roxanne (Cycling Campaign Officer) // 1 thread
Erection of 3.No four bed houses, internal access road, car and cycle parking, hard and soft landscaping.
Land Rear Of 268 Queen Ediths Way Cambridge CB1 8NL
Application reference : 16/1919/FUL
"CYCLE PARKING
Cycle parking has been designed in accordance with the Council’s current standards - Cycle Parking Guide for New Residential Developments (2010). The new dwellings are to be provided with cycle storage within the integral carport. This is of sufficient size to accommodate a total of at least 4 cycles."
Created by Sam Wakeling // 0 threads
Through traffic drives along South Road and goes down Parsonage Crescent as a short-cut to access Walkley Bank Road rather than going down to the turn opposite The Florist.
On an evening peak this is done by about 1/3 of all the outbound traffic on South Road (220 out of 670 motor vehicles per hour). In the evening peak cycle traffic is almost exclusively outbound, with 87% using this route from South Road and down Parsonage Crescent.
Stopping motor access to the top of Parsonage Crescent would remove traffic from this narrow residential street and also create a safe and convenient way for people cycling to access South Road up from the Rivelin direction without needing to cycle up Walkley Road, crossing the difficult turn at The Florist, which has heavy traffic and no protected space.
As with all routing of motor traffic away from a route of maximum convenience it should show some level of traffic evaporation from the area. The current pedestrian crossing on this arm could be removed as no motor traffic would have to be crossed.
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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.