Bridge across King's Cross station
There is a campaign to get Google (who are currently building their new HQ in the King's Cross development) to provide this much-need bridge for pedestrians and cyclists. See http://googlebridge.kccp.org.uk/ .
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, limited to the area of Cyclenation:
There is a campaign to get Google (who are currently building their new HQ in the King's Cross development) to provide this much-need bridge for pedestrians and cyclists. See http://googlebridge.kccp.org.uk/ .
Created by Sam Saunders // 0 threads
A recent Bristol Cycling Campaign ride returned to Bristol from Nailsea using the Festival Way.
Daylight was fading & they were already using front & rear cycle lights (which would be "side on" to approaching traffic whilst crossing B3128).
The final North Somerset stretch after Long Ashton crosses the B3128 to use the off-road route past the Dovecote.
Concern was raised about the safety of this crossing to the central island due to:-
traffic approaching at speed on a bend - potentially endangering "Bristol bound" cyclists
Poor site line - "Bristol bound" cyclists view of approaching fast traffic is obstructed by both the bend & by vegetation
low cycle capacity at the central island (for a Festival Way route potentially with significant numbers "stranded" on the island or left waiting to cross to it compounding the dangers of poor sight line).
One of our concerned participating cyclists on that ride is the Chair of Bristol Civic Society.
This location was previously raised in my snagging email of 12 April 2013 14:11 headed "Re: 24 April Cycle Forum reminder and item for discussion"
.
" 1.1.2 NCN 33 crossing B3128
Vehicles approaching from the SE have a "cycle crossing" sign but will tree growth soon obstruct drivers vision when approaching?
Does the central island have enough capacity for peak numbers crossing?"
Created by Shaun McDonald // 1 thread
There is a loading bay in the cycle contraflow cycle lane, which means that the cycle lane is blocked for cyclists as soon as a vehicle is parked there. This means that cyclists have to pull out into the path of oncoming buses, thus making the NCN route unsuitable to young children or inexperienced cyclists.
Created by Shaun McDonald // 1 thread
It would be much safer to have cyclist priority on the slip roads here as is done in The Netherlands http://www.flickr.com/photos/smsm1/10046288016/ , or even the following example from Britain: http://www.cycling-embassy.org.uk/photos/good-cycling-facility-of-the-week/good-cycling-facility-of-the-week-14th-november-2013-0
The slip roads also need to be narrowed to slow motor vehicle speeds as does the turning radii of the roundabout.
Created by Simon Nuttall // 3 threads
London Cycling Campaign's Space for Cycling campaign
Has a clear message - what can we learn from them?
Created by David Earl // 1 thread
South Cambridgeshire District Council is considering a bus that carries bikes.
Created by David Earl // 1 thread
The County Council has sent Cambridge Cycling Campaign an outline consultation on a proposed cycleway to Granta Park (the PDF will be attached to this issue in a thread). There's not a lot of detail about e.g. junctions, and nothing about how this relates to any extension of the cycleway between Wandlebury and Brabraham. It appears they have abandoned attempts to use the bridleway between Baraham and Abington and chosen a route along the A5050 instead.
Created by Edward Leigh // 2 threads
Hidden away in the planning application for the Skanska development around the new Northern Access Road to Cambridge station are detailed proposals for the redesigned cycle access to the western end of Carter Bridge:
http://idox.cambridge.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=documents&keyVal=MPYVR2DX08L00
[Scroll down to 'CARTER CYCLE BRIDGE WESTERN ACCESS IMPROVEMENTS'.]
My concern is that the new junction with the bridge on-ramp will be difficult and dangerous to negotiate for cyclists and pedestrians. With 450 cycle movements towards the city at peak time, this will be a busy junction where cyclists are moving rapidly as they descend the slope. Those cyclists heading for the station will have to break hard before turning across the path of oncoming cyclists and across the footway in order to join the new link path.
This is undoubtedly an improvement on the existing arrangement (which involves crossing Devonshire Road twice to access the station), but two options that seem to have been considered in the past but rejected would be safer and more convenient:
1) Opening a route via Ravensworth Gardens through the existing wall at the boundary of the station car park.
2) Adding a cycle-only ramp joining the south side of the bridge opposite the stairway.
Any thoughts?
Created by Chris Brown // 1 thread
Conflict between pedestrians and cyclists on stretch of CGB shared-use path alongside allotments and CGB in Trumpington
Created by Kate // 1 thread
I would like to propose the parade of shops in Ashburnham Road, opposite Ham Library as a spot that would greatly benefit from cycle parking. This spot was turned down for cycle parking in 2012 on the grounds that there is already cycle parking in Ham Street outside Hansel & Pretzel (opposite Grey Court School).
The Ham Street cycle parking is not convenient for people who want to park their bikes in order to pop into the shops in Ashburnham Road. The cycle parking in the library is reserved for library users only. As you can see from the attached photos people end up laying their bikes down on the pavement, thereby causing an obstruction for pedestrians.
2 or 3 Sheffield stands would be sufficient to solve this problem.
I have obtained signatures from all but one of the shops in Ashburnham Road in support of this idea. The remaining one also supports the idea but they want to be sure that the parking would not be directly outside their shop, thereby possibly obstructing deliveries.
My suggestion would be to put stands either as a group on the corner next to the mosaic and the Indian takeaway restaurant, or to locate them on the opposite side of the road to the shops, in a similar way to the ones in Back Lane, Ham (see attached photo).
As I am sure you are aware, convenient cycle parking not only encourages people to use their bikes but has also been proven to help the local economy as people are more likely to stop and use the local shops if they can easily park their bikes nearby.
Created by Robin Heydon // 1 thread
Looks like they've just improved the cycle parking at Waterbeach railway station, doubling it to 24 bicycles.
Created by George Coulouris // 2 threads
Camden officers have indicated that they would like to receive prioritised list of suggestions for (very) minor improvements throughout the borough that will make cyclists feel better catered for. Examples of changes that will be considered:
- dropped kerbs
- obstructive barriers (i.e. anti-motor cycle barriers)
- stretches of poor road surface (such that you have slow down on a Brompton or weave around holes)
- Feeders into ASLs that are too short or non-mandatory
Changes that shouldn't be suggested for this initiative include:
- anything that would require a local consultation
- anything that involves changes to parking provision
- individual pot-holes
To compile a list, we want suggestions from members. The Council's deadline is Monday November 25th. So can we have members' suggestions by Wednesday November 20th please. That will allow time for us to compile a list and circulate it here for comment.
Martin Lucas-Smith // 1 thread
This area has long had dangerous cycle lanes that encourage people to cycle in the dooring zone.
The County have funds to upgrade this section. The question now is what should be present instead.
Created by Richard Jennings // 2 threads
Because of queuing for the Grand Arcade car park, amongst other things, the mandatory cycle lane on Pembroke Street and Downing Street is routinely abused by motor vehicles – one every 66 seconds on a Saturday afternoon http://www.cyclestreets.net/galleries/221/.
The corner at Free School Lane is a particular concern because vehicles traveling east can't see oncoming cycles.
Created by Heather Coleman // 1 thread
Since they appear to have changed the phasing at the lights at Cherry Hinton Road the other side of the railway bridge this morning, it becomes ever more apparent that if you have queueing traffic all the way southbound from Station Road to Cherry Hinton Road, the lack of even a narrow "queue-busting" cycle lane here, combined with the shocking state of the kerbside approx 9 inches of road surface (uneven cobbles and slabs, very slippery, very difficult even to use while scooting your bike along by a foot on the pavement), that cyclists are being seriously held up. Once the advisory lane outside the Centennial Hotel (well obeyed by drivers this morning in general apart from when the right hand turn queue for Brooklands Ave starts) ends, you just get stuck in a queue of kerb-car-car traffic and cannot access the ASL at the junction with Brookgate, in order to take advantage of the cycle lanes which queue-bust you across the railway bridge.
This leads to a) pavement cycling, b) people nipping in and out of a queue of vaguely stationary/starting to move traffic c) nipping back infront of traffic which is starting to move at the lights after white lining to get past the queue. All of the cars stuck in that queue will have to wait at least two cycles of the lights at Cherry Hinton Road before proceeding and thus are just an obstruction.
Given that this is a relatively recently refurbished/altered road, I suppose this should have been spotted at the time.
What can be done about it retrospectively? If the traffic light phasing at Cherry Hinton Road stays as it is, there will be an accident before too long.
Created by David Earl // 1 thread
What on earth do they think they are doing here? The cycle lane alongside the new development on Cherry Hinton Road (former Tim Brinton motors) has been removed (after being closed for months) and now splits into two, one part directing cycles onto what looks like it will become an exceptionally narrow cycleway on the pavement (which ends up rejoining the road just at the lights on the far left); or diverting cycles in a weird swerve out into the road to meet the sides of the constant queue of vehicles.
Created by mike1727 // 1 thread
"The St. Albans Green Ring route will run approximately parallel to Everlasting Lane in Batchwood Everlasting Lane is an un-surfaced green lane that can be used as an alternative route to avoid traffic. "
It is proposed to construct a new tarmac path across the recreation ground in Temple View from access on Temple View going North West to an entrance onto Everlasting Lane"
Feasibility study pages 15-17
Googlemap ref http://goo.gl/maps/MjClP
2.5m wide tarmac cyclepath sloping down from playing fields to Everlasting Lane max gradient 1:12 sides 1:2.5
this appears to be option 3 from the feasibility study
Questions:
Why was Sutrans' reccomended route not taken up?
Will there be a cycling right of way accross the Recreation ground to provide a legal link to City Hospital?
Will cycle parking be installed in the Recreation Ground?
What work is being planned on the Everlasting lane section of this route? (In particular surfacing and width)
Will lighting be installed?
Created by mike1727 // 0 threads
2.5m bound gravel cycle path following existing informal route "proposed to widen and reconstruct the existing path through the Recreational Ground to Sandridge Road. "
Feasibilty study page 24
Googlemaps ref http://goo.gl/maps/97an1
Questions:
What is being planned for the crossing of Sandridge road and when will it be delivered?
Sustrans reccomendation:
Cross Sandridge Road via a central refuge – consider creating another central refuge
on Sandridge Road to the north east of Boundary Lane for cyclists wishing to travel in
that direction. An alternative would be to create a Zebra crossing at this location
without a central refuge. This would avoid the pinch point created by a refuge for
those cycling along Sandridge Road.
Created by mike1727 // 1 thread
Link between NCN 6 near Townsend Drive to Edward Beaufort Drive
"It is proposed to cross Bernard’s Heath on a 2.5 metre width hard-surfaced gravel pathway running approximately parallel to Heath Farm Lane. It will follow the existing informal route through the Heath. "
Feasibilty study page 23
google map reference
Questions:
Please ensure any bollards/posts at each end of the section allow sufficent width for tandems and bike trailers.
When is additional work on this link due?
Feasibility study reccomended :
•Widen roadside footway to maximum available using Highways land to rear of footway between Edmund Beaufort Drive and new crossing of Harpenden Road
• Cross Harpenden Road using Toucan on crest of hill
We could do with some photos of this please.
Created by Al Storer // 1 thread
The new road between Addenbrooke's Road and Robinson Way has some poor design features.
Created by Richard Moss // 1 thread
Network Rail planning application for replacement of level crossing with footbridge
Created by Paul L // 1 thread
Between the practically traffic free road through Bushy Park and the quiet roads of Hampton is the busy High Street. This could be a route for all cyclists by segregation as a two-way widened shared footway and conversion of an existing pelican to a toucan crossing.
Created by Paul L // 0 threads
Burtons road has been part of the borough cycle network usually acting as a quiet parallel to Queens Rd. Unfortunately growth of traffic has led to it being a rat-run at peak times despite numerous road humps. As parking leaves space for only one vehicle this makes it unpleasant to cycle.
Created by Gareth Evans // 0 threads
This roadworks is very extensive. There are many cones. However this lorry just blocks not only the lane but the sight lines just next to St Kilda avenue
Created by David Earl // 2 threads
The new flats at the fire station seem to be attracting delivery vehicles to unload in the cycle lane at the west end of East Road. The wide lane here is separated from the road by cross hatching. Should we ask for physical segregation on this short length, e.g armadillos. Would delivery vehicles still bump over them to park are make matters worse to get round them? Would a barrier be effective?
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The most popular issues, based on the number of votes:
Created by Robin Heydon // 2 threads
The Landbeach Parish Council would like the bridgeway from Landbeach to Cambridge to be upgraded to a cycleway.
Created by Simon Nuttall // 3 threads
The railway line from Cambridge to Newmarket turns out across Coldham's Common and right through the middle of Cherry Hinton, and then carries on passing to the north of Fulbourn.
There are currently (2013) two main routes from the east of Cambridge to Cherry Hinton - the Tins and Snakey Path. However both have long very narrow sections involving pedestrian conflict.
The railway line is single track - but satellite images show the bridges crossing Barnwell Road and Coldham's Lane were both built for dual track. So this means there should easily be enough room to accommodate a cycleway alongside the railway.
This route could then connect up with the Chisholm Trail and provide a direct fast cycle route to and from the city and the Science Park area.
Created by Paul James // 0 threads
West side the cycleway terminates at the Manor Rd zebra crossing.
East side it vanishes 20 meters from the junction at the Lower Richmond Rd zebra crossing.
Path between is not shared use and is very narrow due to excessive road width on roundabout due to dedicated turning lane and large roundabout center.
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.
Created by Paul James // 0 threads
All the sideroads between Richmond Circus and Manor Circus are a danger to cyclists on the cycleway.
There is no warning to motorists that there will be crossing cyclists and the building angles make it hard to see if anything is coming.
Turning traffic from the A316 can have an obscured view of the cycleway due to foliage.
Decrease corner radii.
Make road hump more pronounced.
Make cycle surface colour continuous across roadway.
Add markings across roadway.
Add warning signage.
Move give way lines back to before cycleway or add additional give way lines.
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.
Created by kirbyjames // 2 threads
The primary route between Crediton and Exeter is the narrow and busy A377. It has been the site of at least one cycling fatality near Newton St Cyres.
An alternative route is possible using the lanes north of the A377 through Sweetham. However this route is compromised at both ends - at Exeter in the Cowley Bridge area and in Crediton by the approach along the A3072.
Development of a safe route is belived to be of high priority.
The service entrance to the motorway services now has priority over the shared use path which runs parallel to the main road.
I have contacted both Hampshire County Council and Test Valley Borough Council about this change in priorities, but neither has responded beyond a cursory "we have received your email".
This is yet another example of through traffic being de-prioritised simply because it is on a cycle (or shared) path, rather than on a road.
Created by Shaun McDonald // 0 threads
There is currently a bit of a conflict between pedestrians and cyclists around Stoke Bridge, between St Peter's Street and Dock Street, where there is the legalised pavement cycling.
To resolve this I would propose removing a lane of traffic (which is only needed for a very short time at peak times, and a small modal shift through improved infrastructure would resolve any congestion issues) and giving that lane to cyclists in a segregated fashion.
Created by Richenda // 1 thread
Apparently TfL commissioned "...to explore the opportunity of a pedestrian river crossing ....". They may not think bikes should also be included, but they should!
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/luxury/travel/4162/a-garden-bridge-across-the-thames.html
http://www.gardenbridgetrust.org/index.html
Starting a thread about this application here so we can continue on from the previous planning list discussion.
Created by Richard Jennings // 2 threads
Because of queuing for the Grand Arcade car park, amongst other things, the mandatory cycle lane on Pembroke Street and Downing Street is routinely abused by motor vehicles – one every 66 seconds on a Saturday afternoon http://www.cyclestreets.net/galleries/221/.
The corner at Free School Lane is a particular concern because vehicles traveling east can't see oncoming cycles.
Created by Dylan // 1 thread
There is a fairly good cycle lanes from Kingston towards Richmond up until you reach the Richmond Council border where Richmond Road (A307) turns into the Upper Ham Road (A307) and eventually Petersham Road (A307). At traffic lights along this route there are reserved areas for cyclists but along the roads there is nothing to remind drivers that cyclists share the road especially when the road narrows after Sandy Lane through Petersham. The road surface here is terrible and the speed bumps are pointless because some driver sprint between the bumps.
The best solution would be to remove the cyclists from this route altogether by upgrading the Thames Path to create a proper cycle path along the River Thames towards Richmond that currently stops at Teddington Lock. If a cycle/foot bridge linking Ham with Twickenham was built over Eel Pie along this route it would create an obvious link for those want to reach Twickenham.
Created by Mark A // 1 thread
A dropped kerb at this point would improve the route that people can take to cycle between Bear Flat and the city centre - making it easier to use Calton Gardens to avoid the section of footpath on the alternative via Holloway and St Marks Church.
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.
Created by Shaun McDonald // 4 threads
The Shotley Peninsula Cycle Campaign have plans for a dedicated cycle path from the edge of Ipswich to Shotley. http://www.spcc.info/News%20and%20Projects.html
Upgrades are needed from Ipswich town centre to the new cycle track.
Created by Sam Saunders // 2 threads
On the eastern approach to Clifton Suspension Bridge the narrow road curves past a pedestrian refuge next to a toilet block. The short cycle lane that had started as approximately 1.2 metres wide narrows to approximately 0.9 metres at the refuge. More than half of the cycle lane at that point is paved with uneven cobbles unsuitable for cycling, especially on a bend. The traffic lane (approx 3.2 metres) is too narrow for a car and a bicycle to pass together. The cycle lane, in effect, is encouraging inexperienced cyclists to adopt a vulnerable road position and to cycle on an unsuitable surface.
Created by Andrew Woodward // 1 thread
Footbridges at Mortlake railway station should be fitted with troughs to enable cyclists to easily wheel bicycles to the other platform. Cyclists frequently carry bicycles over the footbridge, as per the photo - one going in each direction!
Created by Robin Heydon // 1 thread
The Cottenham to Histon cycleway needs improvement.
Created by Sam Saunders // 1 thread
A northern stretch of Bristol's waymarked "Concorde Way" runs along a quiet residential street, Wordsworth Road. On the newest housing development as Bristol gives way to South Gloucestershire there is a barrier between the end of Wordsworth Road and the start of Eighth Avenue to prevent motor vehicles passing through. There is a raised curb, offset railings and large grey concrete bollards and only a narrow passage either side of one bollard for cyclists to ride through. Tricycles, cargo bikes, or trailers might be to be lifted over the raised curb. In dusk or darkness neither the bollards nor the curb are easy to see. There is a light on the traffic sign offering some help, but a less intimidating arrangements or reflective/high-visibility surfaces could be considered.
Created by Shaun McDonald // 1 thread
Improving the connectivity from Bourne Hill over the A14 to Wherestead with dropped kerbs, allowing cycling and signing as a cycle route would be a step in the process to improving cycle access south from Ipswich to various places including Jimmy's Farm (a family leisure venue, which should be cycleable to by a family with young children), Shotley Peninsula, and the land route to Harwich International ferry port for cycling to The Netherlands.
Created by Sam Saunders // 1 thread
Heading south west on Upper Maudlin Street, cyclists approaching lights have a narrow cycle lane cum ASL lead-in immediately adjacent to parked vehicles. The risk of dooring is clear. The lane or the parking should be removed.
Created by Shaun McDonald // 0 threads
The traffic lights at Eagle Street were timed such that travelling eastbound you would always get caught at the second set unless you were extremely fast setting off. After discussions with the council and it brought up at the Sustainability Forum by Cllr Smart, it was fixed to increase the length of time that those lights were green, and was great as you always knew you could get through the second set of lights without having to wait unless you just went through the earlier ones just before they went red.
However over the past few days the signal timing has changed back to the older timing where the probability of getting through the second set is virtually nil. In an ideal world they would be phased such that the first set would go green, then the second set would go green several seconds later at the point where you would be arriving at them, rather than having them change to green almost at the same time.
Created by velocipedus@gmail.com // 12 threads
Project Orange is an attempt develop our general strategy during the year 2013.
It involves
1) Should Cambridge Go Dutch (or Copenhagenize)
2) A more assertive stance in our interactions with agencies: Demanding of them to make feasible what seems infeasible
3) focus on a regional area 10 miles (15 km) around Cambridge and a dartboard network structure to connect villages,
4) the development of a Bicycle Infrastructure Assessment Tool (BIAC) which will allow us to grade and praise provision
5) Priority over sideroads as part of a Dutch-style approach
5) Development of Visualisation Tools for major projects (Chisholm Trail, Newnham to Newmarket Rd, Mitcham's Corner)
Vehicles are continually abusing cyclists who use the road here because the bus lane on the other side forces the carriageway to be narrow.
Although there is the cycleway, it has the usual problems of loss of priority at sideroads, bins in the way, people going in and out of driveways, etc.