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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Created by Tammy Hervey // 0 threads
There is a bike rack outside Leopold Square. But it was full when I arrived there at 3pm on Thursday 6 Sept 2012. So I locked my bike to the railings outside the Aagrah Restaurant on Leopold Square. When I came back to it (after a lovely afternoon tea in the Leopold Hotel) someone had locked another bike to it. After frantic asking around everyone I could see in the square (embarrassing!), I found that the manager of Aagrah had done it. He was most unpleasant about it, saying (I believe correctly) that it is private property and that I could not park a bike there. There was no notice anywhere requesting bike users not to do so.
I gather that the issue has been taken up with the management - so if whomever did this on my behalf would like to comment, I'd be grateful.
Created by t1mmyb // 0 threads
This shortcut is technically pedestrians-only, but forms a useful link from the environs of Bath Spa station (Widcombe) to Holloway, a dead-end for motor vehicles and therefore a quiet, if steep, climb to Bear Flat, Wellsway and beyond.
Dropped kerbs, barrier/chicane removal etc. would make this route usable by parents with cycle trailers, people on cargobikes and the like.
It was slated as a piece of work to be done by Bath & NE Somerset, but there's been no news lately.
Created by James Avery // 1 thread
The UHCW NHS Trust has applied for planning permission for a new access roads and multistorey car parks, under a plan drawn up by leading global engineering firm Arup.
Please ask them to go back to the drawing board and come up with something better.
The planning application details are here:
http://planning.coventry.gov.uk/portal/servlets/ApplicationSearchServlet?PKID=744613
Please state that you OBJECT to the current proposals as they don't give any consideration to encouraging more cycling (or walking).
The trust are open to discussion via twitter (@NHSUHCW), but the council need to be asked to bring this matter to the committee (currently it is just classed as deferred, which means officers decide themselves).
Created by Shaun McDonald // 1 thread
This section of the flagship National Cycle Network Route 1 on entering Ipswich is of particularly poor quality. There are nettles, brambles and other bushes overgrowning the very rough and narrow path. Is this really the quality of cycling that we want to show to Dutch cyclists coming over from the Netherlands who would have expected there to be a tarmaced cycle path that's a couple of metres wide. There is space to here to place a good surface.
Created by James Avery // 0 threads
As freeholders of the site, Tesco have applied for planning permission for two new restaurants between the roundabout shown and the railway tracks / A444 (above the dual carriageway).
Two core issues:
1) This is an extremely dangerous, uncontrolled crossing - traffic leaves the A444 at 50mph, and is still 30 as it reaches the roundabout. As the map shows, there are Belisha crossings both north and south of this roundabout, so why not to the west, where traffic is still fast and undivided?
2) Cycle parking on the rest of the site is still grossly inadequate. 18 cycle parking spaces are proposed with the restaurant - the same number as the rest of the site combined - although these are actually all in one place at the south of the site.
Created by Andy Allan // 0 threads
There's no bike parking outside of the parade of shops at the top end of Leigham Vale. The only options are the railings on the railway side of the road, or the handrail outside the post office.
There's plenty of space outside the front of the shops, and it would be good to have some near the garden centre.
Created by Richard Alderson // 0 threads
Near Cob Kiln Lane commuter route to Urmston Rail Station Cyclists and pedestrians are supposed to use this kissing gate. The dwell space is far too small and very muddy. There is a horse stile as well which is equally muddy - this is a major access route to the Trans-Pennine Trail
The busway cycleway is sometimes flooded in this section.
The County Council need to address this.
Created by cobweb // 1 thread
The installation of one stand in the boundary of M&S facing Market Hill Square.
Martin Lucas-Smith // 0 threads
The Virgin Gym trade entrance is being used by drivers as a shortcut.
Other than two sheffield stands in the train station there is no secure cycle parking available in Buxton. This is discouraging people from travelling to this tourist hotspot by bike.
Created by Jim Chisholm // 1 thread
Proposals are coming forward for the redevelopment of part of the Cambridge University Pres Site as a single location for Cambridge Assessment. Some public engagement will apparently start in November
Created by mike1727 // 0 threads
The Stonecross/Avenue road junction is to be redesigned. It is rounoured there may be a ban on bikes turning right from Stonecross onto Avenue road, which makes bike journeys W-E using Avenue road difficult. It would be better to redesign the junction to allow bikes through since many people will continue to ride/use the pavement as this is a desire line route.
Bermondsey St is being used as a rat run not just along its length but also across at Tanner St. Through traffic should use the A100, Tooley St or Borough High St.
Could be a good mode filter project
Created by mike1727 // 1 thread
Traffic on the redbourn road is often fast and uncomfortable for novice/nervouse riders. The footpath running along Redbourn road sees few walkers and appears suitable for a conversion to a bike route. This is being progresses through the Herts Cycle Forum
Footpath 32 is to be converted to be a bridleway. The footpath runs at the edge of a field parallel to the Wheathampstead road from the Hertswood Forest car park entrance to Nomansland. It will have a garpack surface for cycling/walking and a larger strip of grass for horse riding.
Funding comes largely from a Paths For Communities grant with other contributions from local sources.
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.
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 Chris Peck // 1 thread
Upgrading the narrow footpath into a wider route usable by cyclists has been a long term priority for the Godalming Cycle Campaign. This route is a key link for pedestrians and cyclists between Farncombe/Binscombe and Godalming.
This year the Waverley Local Committee has dedicated funds to construct the path, which will run over land currently owned by Jewsons.
Created by David Earl // 2 threads
11 flats replacing existing building
Created by Jose Ferraro // 0 threads
Coombe Lane West heading towards Raynes Park: There is a long downhill slope which has new potholes appearing frequently which after a long while are filled with blobs of tarmac creating equally dangerous lumps. Grit fallen from HGVs and parked cars narrowing the lane make this a very risky road to cycle along at speed. A cyclist needs to slow down to be prepared to manoeuvre these hazards which puts them into conflict with motorised traffic behind them who wish to pass but lack the room. This is especially true when cycling uphill over the flyover (in either direction).
There is a short piece of cycle lane only at the base of the hill which does not continue over the flyover and leaves slower cyclists to mix in with the much faster flow of motorised traffic.
The result is frequent close passes unless you cycle in a primary position which invites further conflict (tailgating and intimidation) from impatient motorists.
Created by Robin Heydon // 3 threads
There is a need for a link between the A14 Histon interchange with Ring Fort Path in Orchard Park.
Created by Jon Warbrick // 1 thread
The link from Barton Road to the Lammas Land car park (and the car park itself) have been closed to all use by the County Council for some development work. This is a buisy cycle route, and no effort has been put into providing a diversion. Currently most people are cycling across the grass behind the hedge beside the road (though how long this will remain possible if it rains is unclear); an alternative is to use other paths across Lammas Land, but they are narrow, not actually marked for cycling, and it's further.
According to a notice at the junction with Barton Road this work will continue to the start of December. There was and is no warning when approaching from east of the river.
Created by David Earl // 1 thread
It is intimidating to use this roundabout because of the high shrubbery in the middle. It is supposed to slow traffic down but my subjective feeling is that it doesn't
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)