Issues

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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:

  • Merging of cycle lane with The Ride

    Created by WilliamNB // 0 threads

    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.

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  • Shared pavement along Plymouth Road, by Old Laira Rd off-ramp

    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.

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  • Cycle lane forces cyclists to yield priority

    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

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  • Yield sign where on-carriageway cycle ends

    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.

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  • 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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