Suffolk CC Consultation: Nacton Road and Ransomes Way corridor study

Just come across this consultation thanks to http://ipswichspy.wordpress.com/2014/02/18/county-council-proposes-improvement-work-to-nacton-road-and-ransomes-way/

From what I can tell there is very little if anything for cyclists. In some parts especially around the entrance to Sainsburys and Homebase it's already absolutely horrible to try and cross the road, the new scheme is just going to make it far far worse. And plenty of crossing that require pedestrians and cyclist to stop half way and do a sideway jiggle.

It's a real shame that drivers don't need to wind down their window to press a button to get a green light to move forward a few metres, then push their car sideways to be able to cross the next bit of the junction.

The Nacton/Landseer Rd Randsway junction proposal looks more dangerous to cyclists than the existing mini roundabout. As an alternative route during daylight hours only, is Mildmay Rd. So in prioritising action, here is most important.

Considering the number of existing cyclists using this whole area, and the potential for increasing cycling rates in view of number of businesses and shopping places this is a terrible waste of opportunity to promote sustainable transport modes.
Suggest we form a working group to put together a detailed critique??

We have 1 week to to get it in, and I'd like to get it in on time this time around.

This scheme is not part of travel Ipswich. It does affect the NCN as NCN51 runs along part of it.

Shall we put in general appraisal of the junctions under consideration or more specific design suggestions?

I'm tempted to go for a combination of as specific as possible and general comments.

I have printed the proposals and I'll be looking at them today.

My initial draft of my response is now on Google Drive: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1zPMkfb1sXRwsqOVqskLQr4WYkwbgTe18rXGHwwk8Zr4/edit?usp=sharing

Please comment, and use for your own response. The more people who respond highlighting how the plans will just reduce cycling and induce even more car use the better.

Shaun, at Thrashers roundabout I cannot see in your response anything about increasing the roundabout diameter and in so doing increasing the speed at which vehicles revolve around it and as a consequence, make the road a no-go for cyclists.

At the Gainsborough library I talked to a former cyclist who, after a few near misses, had given her cycle to the Holywells park recycling project.

It's bad enough as it is. The dog leg crossings create holdups for anyone walking. So if people are impatient they'll drive. So it discourages walking even more thatn the whole retail park does anyway. Every shop has their own car park so people drive from shop to shop rather than parking the car somewhere central and then walk. The unnecessary traffic created by this is even given more room by the new design.

Thanks for the I’ve added a few paragraphs to cover those points. The feedback is much appreciated. Please do send a response yourself to Suffolk County.

I've put up a blog post asking people to write in their own responses: http://cycleipswich.wordpress.com/2014/03/03/tell-suffolk-county-council-that-proposed-changes-at-nacton-roadransomes-way-dont-give-space-for-cycling/ and on my own blog copied the response that I sent to the county: http://blog.shaunmcdonald.me.uk/2014/03/suffolk-county-councils-nacton-roadransomes-way-plans-are-dangerous-to-cyclists-and-walkers/

Please write in yourself, the more people who write in the more likely change will happen.