12/0603/FUL | Construction of a cycle shed to existing car park area
80-cycle prefab shed using sheffield stands, replaces 7 car spaces. Need to check the application and welcome it if this is as positive as it sounds.
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Listed issues, most recent first, limited to the area of Cyclenation:
Martin Lucas-Smith // 1 thread
80-cycle prefab shed using sheffield stands, replaces 7 car spaces. Need to check the application and welcome it if this is as positive as it sounds.
Created by Heather Coleman // 2 threads
This is a planning application variation for 42 Fen Road, Milton. Application no (south cambs) is S/0756/12/VC
Permission had been given, but I noted as I passed the other day, that there was an application for a variation. Looking at this, one item seems to be to vary the "cycle storage".
From the description in Addendum to Design, Access & Herigage Statement in plans and docs:
I quote
"The bin / cycle store has been relocated and enlarged to allow for a tool shed. It was felt that
the proximity of the previous store to the proposed dwelling had an adverse impact on the
street scene and cluttered up the entrance area. By setting it back within the garden space it
was felt this would positively enhance the character of the area. Additionally, as a temporary
structure it is felt this would not have any more of an impact on the surrounding trees than
the current position of the bin store."
Or if you look at the map, the cycle "storage" (should that be parking?) now appears to be round the back end of the garden, and as a hedge is shown surrounding the car parked at the front of the property, I am at a loss as to how it would be at all convenient to ever get a bike out of this shed, rather than just getting into the car.
Of note is the fact that this proposed house is about 15 yards off NCN 11. In one direction*; this gives a virtually traffic-free route almost into Cambridge city centre or to Waterbeach railway station. In the other direction, NCN 11 heads through Milton Country Park, leading almost directly to the local Tesco superstore as well as to the Coston bridge, Science Park, Guided Busway. Thus, it could be possible to live an almost entirely car-free existence at this location.
*Fen Road is erroneously described as a cul-de-sac in the application. It is to motor vehicles, but is in fact a through route to the city centre for cycles and pedestrians.
From the 2004 South Cambs local plan
"To promote the use of more sustainable modes of transport, such as public transport,
walking and cycling by making such modes more accessible, safer and more attractive
to use.," and "To promote sustainable travel by ensuring new development takes place in highly
accessible locations."
" To limit the amount of car parking provided in new developments, where appropriate,
to reduce over-reliance on the car." "adopting on-site and/or off-site design features that promote
access by non-car modes as far as practicable (including
walking and cycling) and facilitate and encourage their use"
Of course there appears to be nothing about accessibility of cycle parking cf car parking, unlike the City Council local plan.
Is it worth putting in an objection? The publicity end date is 5th June.
Created by Gerhard Weiss // 1 thread
Walthamstow High Street has a busy market, which makes it near impossible to cycle. Outside market times it has 'no vehicles allowed' signs. Even in the middle of the night it is illegal to cycle trough he spooky quiet High Street.
There is virtually no cycle parking along the High street, only at the nodes. Provision is particularly poor in the middle by the Sainsbury supermarket.
Created by velocipedus@gmail.com // 2 threads
Access to and return journey from the Crematorium is a real challenge for the cyclist. Indeed, chances are you may end up in it if you try to ride your bike there.
Here we have a essential public service which is accessible by car only. Is this acceptable ?
These issues arise also if a convoy of bicycles was to accompany a coffin.
What is to be done?
http://www.cambridge.gov.uk/ccm/content/contact-us/council-buildings/crematorium.en
Created by David Earl // 1 thread
Application to build a bridge over the brook to provide rear foot/cycle access to the school.
Martin Lucas-Smith // 1 thread
Speeding can be a problem on Granchester Road.
Created by Rohan Wilson // 1 thread
Existing building to be rearranged internally for surgery and medical admin. There is locked-away cycle parking for staff (quantity not spec), but none proposed for patients/ visitors. See thread for Sustrans' objection.
Created by Rohan Wilson // 10 threads
Turnstone, a consortium, is hoping to build a new town, to be named Denny St Francis, adjacent to Waterbeach (the barracks site, plus). Like any large development, cycling conditions need to be good.
Converting one-way streets to two-way cycling has long been a Cambridge Cycling Campaign priority.
Progress has been made, with Hope Street being made into a two-way street with a no motor vehicles exemption at one end.
Now that Except Cycles signs under No Entry signs are permitted there is scope for extending this to Romsey Streets.
Created by Klaas Brümann // 1 thread
South Cam is working on a cycling project between Haslingfield and Grantchester, proposed by the Haslingfield Parish.
Martin Lucas-Smith // 1 thread
The Cambridge East development is in the 2006 Cambridge Local Plan and would have a big effect on cycling and traffic more generally in the area.
Martin Lucas-Smith // 1 thread
The City Council will be designating Sheep's Green & Coe Fen as a local nature reserve in 2012, in recognition of the site’s value for both wildlife and recreation.
As part of the process, a management plan has been prepared to establish a long-term vision for the site and to guide ongoing maintenance and habitat-restoration works.
They are seeking public comments on the draft plan, prior to formal adoption and designation of the site.
It is important that the proposals are scrutinised to check whether this will have any effects in the longer term on cycling and path improvements.
Martin Lucas-Smith // 1 thread
Now that the East Road gas works have finished, the road has been patched up, but in a very bumpy way. Although the tarmac is smooth, it is not at the same height as the original road so riding along is continually bumpy.
Created by Rohan Wilson // 1 thread
A further application following several rejections.
Planning application to demolish 32-38 Station Road and build two office blocks. This is a revised application.
Application is called 'Fifty & Sixty Station Road'.
Documents are completely inadequate for this listed building. I submitted this objection:
This comment is on behalf of Sustrans, the charity that’s enabling people to travel by foot, bike or public transport for more of the journeys we make every day.
The application form indicates that there is currently no cycle parking and that none is intended. This is unacceptable - the development must conform to the Council's standards in quantity, location and type.
There are insufficient graphic details on which to assess the application.
RW for Sustrans 3 May 2012
Created by Rohan Wilson // 0 threads
This comment is on behalf of Sustrans, the charity that’s enabling people to travel by foot, bike or public transport for more of the journeys we make every day.
We note that 3 Sheffield stands are shown within the cycle shelter - good provision for a site which is on the city's Signed Primary Cycle Network. It is important that they should not be installed too close to the rear wall, and that the spacing between each and between stands and side wall should meet the City Council's standards - see Cycle Parking Guide.
Only 3 bins are shown - is this acceptable, for recycling etc?
RW for Sustrans 3 May 2012
Objected.
This comment is on behalf of Sustrans, the charity that’s enabling people to travel by foot, bike or public transport for more of the journeys we make every day.
We are concerned that there may not be sufficient space in the rear "bikes and bins" (unattractive combination!) room. It is important that the Sheffield stands indicated should be installed as shown, and to park or remove a bike, rearward space is essential (See the City Council Cycle Parking Guide), adequate as drawn. But only five refuse bins are shown, one for each apartment. Normally each would need 3 bins (black, blue, green), for which there would clearly be insufficient space.
RW for Sustrans 3 May 2012
Created by Rohan Wilson // 0 threads
This comment is on behalf of Sustrans, the charity that’s enabling people to travel by foot, bike or public transport for more of the journeys we make every day.
The documents state that cycle parking is to be increased to 4 spaces (staff) and 6 spaces (pupils), but gives no indication as to its type, location, or whether it is sheltered.
We consider the quantity to be provided seems unambitious, especially considering the site is in a quiet street close to routes on the city's signed primary cycle network. The cycle parking should be of Sheffield stands, convenient to the building's entrances, in a clearly visible location, and sheltered. See the City Council's Cycle Parking Guide for information.
We recommend that more spaces should also be provided, better to encourage a healthy alternative to car use. We note that the site is a listed building whose character and surroundings are not likely to be enhanced by full occupation of the "ample" car parking mentioned in the D+A Statement.
RW for Sustrans 3 May 2012
Created by Kevin Hickman // 0 threads
Poor provision for cycling in the submitted plans.
Created by David Earl // 1 thread
BBC R Cambs want to interview someone at 07.05 tomorrow (May 1) about the potholed condition of Mill Road.
Created by cobweb // 1 thread
Plans are mooted to paint directional signs on the roads in the city centre to alert bike users to the legal direction of travel.
There has been stepped access from the riverside to Victoria Bridge for years, possibly since the bridge's construction.
Victoria Bridge is currently closed pending refurbishment/reconstruction due to its dilapidated and dangerous condition; there may be S106 money available from the developers of the adjacent Western Riverside housing development. It's crucial to write to local councillors expressing the community's desire to have the bridge access not merely restored, but enhanced, for the benefit of cyclists, pedestrians and less-able users of the bridge and riverside.
Martin Lucas-Smith // 3 threads
Cambridge United are proposing a new stadium in Trumpington, near the Park and Ride site. Clearly this will have major traffic generation effects.
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Created by Shaun McDonald // 0 threads
The cycle lanes through Trimley stop for each traffic island rather than continuing thus causing a dangerous pinch point for cyclists on the National Cycle Route 51.
Created by Paul James // 0 threads
The tucan crossing is out of phase with the lights at Church Road meaning that traffic coming along the A316 into Kew Rd is not held at the tucan but is then stopped at Church Rd so that cyclists and pedestrians have to wait for traffic to enter Kew Rd.
Re-phase the lights so that the tucan crossing is red for the roadway at the same time that it is red for the lights at Church Rd, so that there is a single green phase along the cycleway across the end of Kew Rd.
Created by Paul James // 0 threads
The carpark entrance cuts across the cycleway and has shallow corner radii encouraging fast entrance and exit speeds which are a danger to cyclists using the cycleway.
The cycleway should be curved away from the roadway at the junction and a marked crossing put in place a cars length from the roadway allowing space for entering and exiting cars to giveway to cyclists moving along the cycleway.
Created by Jim Chisholm // 3 threads
AstraZeneca have announced they will by 2016 move to the Biomedical Campus on the Addenbrooke's site. We need to engage with them.
Created by carlystevens1989 // 1 thread
There are a number of varying sized pot holes along the Cumberland Road leading up the traffic lights near the Mud Dock Deli, the side of the road with no cycle markings. They are mainly on the edge of the road, the largest being around 12 inches in diameter and are also in succession of each other. I would estimate around 10-15 pot holes in total.
Cars are often less than forthcoming when you have to move into the middle of the road to avoid them and therefore cyclists often cycle on the path in order to avoid them - although this path is wide enough to accommodate a cyclist it is not a shared path.
It would also be useful if this side of the road had cycle markings like the other side.
Created by ambrosen // 1 thread
For additional commuter access to the Newton Park campus of Bath Spa uni, does anyone have any ideas about upgrading the footpath over the field from route 4, under the railway to the new path on the A4, linking up with the university.
I realise that for westbound commuters, this duplicates the route which took some effort to get made on the A4, and that it needs a new right of way to be made/purchased/recovered from the historic record, but it looks like a good link.
Created by christhebull // 1 thread
South Gloucestershire have released plans of their proposed changes to their section of the A38 Gloucester Road. Several locations will be altered, namely:
Northville Road Roundabout
Filton Roundabout
A38 / Filton Avenue Junction
A38 Patchway Slips
The proposals can be viewed here https://consultations.southglos.gov.uk/consult.ti/A38_Cycle_Safety_2013/consultationHome and the consultation closes on the 29th July.
What is being proposed is, in my mind, inadequate, as the modifications are mostly tinkering with junctions, with cyclists still expected to use the mainline carriageway (which has a 40 mph speed limit north of the Air Balloon). This route forms part of Bristol Cycling Campaign's proposed "cycle freeways" and the proposals are nowhere near adequate for this road to be called such - so make your voice known at consultation!
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.
The cycle lane on Billacombe Road is unusable due to car parking in it.
Outside the old, unused entrance to the boatyard there are barriers that needlessly force cyclists to slow right down.
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.
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 // 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 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 MikeF // 1 thread
Traffic light sensor on Beechwood Avenue does not detect 6061 T6 aluminium bike frames very well
Created by MikeF // 0 threads
When cycling along western park road towards mutley. On sections that have speed bumps without the traffic islands/bollards, car/taxi drivers dangerously position their cars (across both lanes) at speed to avoid the speed bumps. Friday & Saturday nights is the worst time with the taxi's.
Created by Shaun McDonald // 1 thread
The "cyclist priority route" on NCN1, Felixstowe Road obviously isn't that subjectively safe as I've seen someone cycling on the pavement southbound rather than on the road.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DItGP0Lt200 is a video of the road from another occasion.
Created by Robert Asher // 1 thread
Hello, I'm wondering how many other Cambridge cyclists have shared the experience I've had (about once per month now) regarding a particular elderly lady who insists that bikes are not allowed on the "footpath" adjacent to the Trumpington allotments, between Shelford Rd & the new busway in CB2. This path seems clearly demarcated as a shared pedestrian-cycle path on the cycle maps provided at the council link (below). However, it is not clearly labeled as such on the path itself, leading her to become quite angry with any cyclist who gets near her & her dog while they're out walking (and obstructing the path to underscore her point). "It's a footpath" she yells, and storms away.
So my questions are 1) am I correct in interpreting the council map (below) as permitting bikes on this path and 2) how might one go about requesting proper signage, clearly saying bikes & pedestrians are both welcome?
Thanks for any feedback, Robert
https://www.cambridge.gov.uk/sites/www.cambridge.gov.uk/files/documents/cambridge-cycling-map.pdf
Created by George Coulouris // 1 thread
We've launched the campaign for a major upgrade to the cycle tracks on Tavistock Place/Torrington Place. The campaign is fronted by this video:
http://camdencyclists.org.uk/camden/campaigns/ssl-upgrade/index_html
This issue provides a forum for discussion by (a) CCC committee and (b) campaign activists. Please create threads as necessary.
Created by David Earl // 5 threads
Greater Anglia has just issued a consultation on cycles at stations and on trains
Martin Lucas-Smith // 4 threads
The cycle lanes here are a mish-mash of narrow legacy infrastructure, and are often awkward to use.
Created by Andrew Woodward // 1 thread
Dear RCC - I have written because of a junction which is a frequent danger spot to cycle through. It is the junction where Dukes Avenue and Tudor Drive intersect with the A307 Upper Ham Road and Richmond Road.
1. The painted arrows in the middle of the junction suggest that turning traffic should pass on each other's left. This creates a serious blind spot for oncoming traffic and for the cyclist turning. Traffic code 181 suggests vehicles can pass either way but highlight that left to left is the more dangerous for this reason. 90% of the time motorists pass according to how the arrows are painted leaving a cyclist who is turning blind to oncoming traffic. The 10% of the time when a vehicle decides to turn right to right this puts them head on with a vehicle who may have decided to pass left to left. Very dangerous for a cyclist in either situation, there does't seem to be a safe way to tackle this junction as what ever you do.
https://www.gov.uk/using-the-road-159-to-203/road-junctions-170-to-183
2. Recently I was waiting to turn right on this junction (left to left position) when a motorist behind me undertook me to place himself to my left blocking oncoming traffic to pass on my left and therefor forcing them to drive at me and pass on my right. Simply because he didn't want to wait behind me until the coast was clear that I could turn.
3. Needless to say the ASL's at this junction are almost completely ignored.
I hate cycling past and turning at this junction. Is there any way it can be improved to become safer for cyclists? A short head start (green light for cyclists) would be ideal but I doubt this will ever happen.
Google Streetview shows the problem nicely: http://goo.gl/maps/8gdo2
The link is scheduled to be closed for water main installation for six weeks from 30 September.
Nearest alternative ways to cross the railway line are Sandpit Lane (busy road with splitter islands!) or bridge link to York Road (nice and quiet but steps to bridge)
The route through Verulamium Park towards the museum was built to substandard width. There is a considerable risk that this will cause conflict between walkers and cyclists.
Route widening is not due until the Green Ring is built in 2015.
STACC will campaign for widening of the route to begin as as soon as possible since we see no need to delay waiting for the Green Ring.
Resurfacing of the Alban Way begins in September 2013- this project draws upon Green Ring funding so why can't Green Ring funding be deployed now to widen the Ver Park route?
Created by mike1727 // 1 thread
The King Harry lane end of the Causeway route is currently a no cycling area, making the route less effective and dangerous since many people will cycle this part of the route regardless.
Action is required by HCC/SADC to plan and install a bridge and change the route to allow the full length to be used.