Issues

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:

  • Traffic light sensor

    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.

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  • Poor link between cycle path and road

    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.

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  • Poor road surface on Wimlands Road - gravel and potholes

    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.

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  • Crazy traffic light priorities on crossing

    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.

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  • Crazy traffic light priorities on crossing

    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.

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  • Terrible surface condition on cycle path forming part of NCN 20

    Created by DaveE // 0 threads

    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.

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  • Contractor's fencing part-blocking cycle path

    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?

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  • Proposed removal of cycle path

    Created by Chrisj // 1 thread

    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,

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  • Development of Brunel Mile, Bristol

    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.

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  • Proper cycle provision on Cherry Hinton Road needed

    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.

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  • Blocked Cycle infrastructure Johnsons Lane, Whitehall

    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.

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  • Roadworks on the guided busway

    Created by Clare Causier // 1 thread

    This afternoon the guidedbusway was closed from Cambridge Regional College to Histon. There was a security guard in a car who provided information on the closure and diversion. However, there was no diversion signage for cyclists or pedestrians.

    When I returned home I checked cambridgeshire roadworks for further information but drew a blank.

    Is anyone aware if works on the busway is covered by any public notification system?

    Saturday afternoon is not a bad time for maintenance, but I imagine commuters would appreciate notice of works which affect their journeys.

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  • Poor towpath surface

    Created by Chris Lowe // 1 thread

    This section of towpath has been reported as having a poor surface. (Not sure how far north of Bournville Station the issue extends)

    Using tarmac rather than breedon gravel has been requested, to be harder wearing and retain a good surface longer.

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  • Lack of safe room for cycles, terrible road surface

    Created by DavidTheScientist // 1 thread

    While some painted "cycle lane" does exist northbound, there is woefully little provision for cyclists considering the huge number that use this section of road each day, a large number of whom are those who work at the General Hospital and other nearby health centres. Southbound cyclists have no real provision of space at all, save a graduated stopline, where cars turning right often try to pass right-turning cycles on the inside. Dale road itself is extremely narrow by winchester road, with almost no pavement space for pedestrians.
    Cyclists heading northbound on Winchester road must beat traffic off the line at Dale road to get to the painted centre of Winchester road. North of the traffic light at The Range, the cycle lane is almost non-existent, placing cyclists between 2 lanes of heavy traffic, and cyclists have to stop and wait in this dangerous area in order to turn right onto Wilton road. Furthermore, the road surface, especially at this part of Winchester road, is currently deplorable.

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  • Whiteladies tree removal

    Created by aSemy // 0 threads

    A tree on the side of East side of Whiteladies road (next to HSBC) has a notice stating that the tree will be removed and replanted. The tree is on the very wide pavement right next to the road, and the road is not wide enough for vehicles and cyclists: a pinch point.

    There is clearly enough space on Whiteladies road for a segregated cycle lane. It is a popular route used often by heavy traffic. With enough shifting of road lanes there's even enough room for an uphill cycle lane.

    Replanting the tree away from the road would remove one small obstacle and show evidence that BCC is looking towards improving cycling in the long run.

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  • Whiteladies Rd/Blackboy Hill new signalised crossing for St John's School - detailed drawings

    Created by Eric Booth // 1 thread

    Another pinch point issue being installed on Whiteladfies Rd as part of the St. John’s Primary School Expansion which links the school in Worrall Road to the new site at the old police station at Lower Redland Road. Looks bad at the moment as there's just the buildout but signals will follow.

    BCC Engineer states:
    "In terms of specific cycle facilities we are making a number of improvement to the area:

    Adding a 1.5 metre uphill cycle lane on Whiteladies Road near the Grove Road area (existing signalised crossing is to be removed).

    Adding a 1.5m uphill red surfaced cycle lane (without markings) through the crossing on Whiteladies Road near Lower Redland Road.

    Adding a continuous contra-flow cycle lane through the 2 one-way sections of Lower Redland Road (which was requested by cyclists in the area).

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  • Temporary Traffic lights West site without cycle detection

    Created by Hester Wells // 0 threads

    Temporary traffic lights for building works between High Cross and Charles Babbage Road.

    I have received the following from our building facilities manager as these lights affect access to our building, and two others.

    "1. With effect from Monday 22 July there will be 3-way traffic lights positioned between the existing Charles Babbage Road and new CBR. This will last for 1 week. The lights will be installed on Friday ready for operation on Monday. These lights will have an operator to monitor traffic flow during peak periods (8.30am – 9.30am and 4.30pm to 5.30pm). Outside of these times the lights will operate on sensor detection for queued vehicles to avoid unnecessary queuing, and will automatically sequence between the roads when no traffic is present. Unfortunately the lights will not detect and activate for cyclists and cyclists will need to wait for the lights to operate on the normal sequenced rotation.

    2. Following the initial works and as work progresses along CBR, the traffic management will become 2 way light operation along the High Cross Access Road the CBR and this is expected to commence from Monday 29 July for a further 2 weeks.

    3. During the above the New CBR and Access Road to Schlumberger are being prepared and tarmacked – kerbs are being installed etc. Surfacing is to be complete by 12 August ready to opened for use by all to access via the New CBR after 12th August.

    4. Also after 12 August works will commence on finalising the junction at AVEVA/New Data Centre access and this will have 3 way traffic management and is expected to take 3 weeks.

    5. Finally the access road into site via High Cross will close from week commence 19 August and this will be for approximately 7 weeks. This closure will be fully diversion signed from Madingley Road and around the site with diversion management (sighs) taking us via JJ Thompson Road and round to AVEVA from there. However there will be a trial closure of the High Cross Road entrance on the Thursday/Friday 15th & 16th August prior to the work starting on 19th, just to ensure all the signage is correct and easily followed. "

    I am interpreting this as at least 6 weeks of temporary traffic lights which will not detect people on bikes.

    I suspect cycle detection was only mentioned because I had specifically asked this question when the issue of temporary traffic lights first came up.

    I have sent a message back to our facilities manager saying that I don't think this is acceptable as:
    1) Cycle usage is nearly as high has car usage here in summer
    2) I also see people using this as a through-route for Coton
    3) We are on a side road off a through-route for buses, so I suspect the lights on their normal sequence will not be at all favourable for a person on a bike trying to get out, as the normal sequence will not want to disrupt bus flow too much.
    4) I fear that the complete lack of provision will lead to some people breaking the rules, which could be dangerous.

    However, she is merely relaying these details to us and is not responsible for it. She can contact the site project managers about any issues, which I hope she will do.

    Any other ideas?

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  • Badly phased lights

    Created by christhebull // 0 threads

    Heading westbound along Bridge Road towards the junction with Rownham Hill, one sees a narrow (90 cm wide) cycle lane leading to an ASL (lacking the appropriate markings), however, the main issue with this junction is the time given to cyclists heading across Rownham Hill into Ashton Court Estate. A slow cyclist who passes the stop line just after the signals turn amber will struggle (uphill) to cross towards the gatehouse before traffic coming up Rownham Hill gets a green light. As cyclists will have previously navigated the debacle that exists on both sides of the Suspension Bridge, this is hardly a welcoming introduction to what is actually a very nice estate to ride around.

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  • Dangerous cycle lanes in Ipswich Town Centre

    Created by Andrea // 3 threads

    In Museum Street and Upper Brook Street/Northgate Street it is very dangerous to cycle. Both roads are very narrow, have lots of buses pass through and there are contraflow cycle paths. On those you are very close to the buses (both directions) even if you wait on the pavements to let them through because you are worried about accidents. Can cyclepaths go through Elm Street, Tower Street or Tower Rampart instead?

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