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 Chris Brown // 1 thread
Conflict between pedestrians and cyclists on stretch of CGB shared-use path alongside allotments and CGB in Trumpington
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 // 2 threads
11 flats replacing existing building
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 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)
Created by David Wilcox // 1 thread
Proposal
To provide a shared use facility on St Phillips Road that links the Toucan Crossing on Midland Road with the Bristol Bath Railway Path. The route will then continue on a traffic calmed Horton Street
Rationale
The Railway Path is one of the City's busiest parks, with an estimated 5,000 sustainable transport journeys made along the St. Philips end of the path each day either by foot or by bike. With this volume of traffic using the path, it is unsatisfactory that users are channelled into St Philips Road into a busy industrial estate. Since the bus priority measures on West Street and Old Market on the A420 corridor, there has been an increase in private motor vehicles using St Philips Road as a rat-run causing conflict with the volume of cycle traffic. The end journey for users of the Railway Path acts as a barrier to new cyclists.
An improved link form the railway path to Temple Meads would help achieve the Local Enterprise Site aims for sustainable transport and will help to provide for the 17,000 employees at the site.
Part of the 2013 Bristol City Council LSTF proposals.
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
Created by George Coulouris // 7 threads
This issue is intended to act a repository for material that can be used to back-up the LCC's 2014 Local Election Campaign 'Asks'. There are 6 'asks' that were finalised and agreed at the LCC's AGM on 19 October 2013:
1. Safe routes to schools
2. Areas without through motor traffic (AWTTs)
3. Protected space on main roads/major junctions
4. Safe cycle routes via parks and canals (Greenways)
5. 20mph speed limits
6. Liveable town centres
so we'll have 6 threads under this Cyclescape issue where we can collect explanations, discussions and most importantly concrete illustrations of what is meant by each ask.
Created by Caroline Page // 1 thread
Significant domestic car parking in the advisory cycle lane of westbound lane combines with heavy traffic jams to obstruct/block westbound passage to cyclists in rush hour. Generally there is a section of this route where pavement pushing is unavoidable
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 Gerhard Weiss // 0 threads
Superhighway 3 on cable street is also a rat run. Cell 1 marks the area bounded by 'logical' cell boundary streets. There should be no through motor traffic within this area
Created by David Earl // 5 threads
Greater Anglia has just issued a consultation on cycles at stations and on trains
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 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
Proposal
To investigate the purchase of land adjacent to the Bristol Bath Railway Path (BBRP) to provide a link to the Dings Railway Path which connects to Temple Meads station.
Rationale
The BBRP is one of Britain’s busiest off-road pedestrian and cycle paths with over 5000 people using it daily. The current link to Bristol Temple Meads is via St Phillips Road and Horton Street, both of which can be heavily trafficked with vehicles travelling at speed. A continuation of an off road route into Temple Meads would be very popular and help achieve the Local Enterprise Site aims for sustainable transport.
Part of the 2013 Bristol City Council LSTF proposals.
Created by TMiles // 0 threads
Cyclists benefit from an almost continuous cycle or bus lane along the A660 from the city centre. This route is much used by students cycling between central university campuses and accommodation in north-west Leeds.
After the central traffic lights in Headingley, the cycle lane ends and the road narrows. Although the road later widens out to two lanes, there is a stretch (marked on the map) where cyclists have insufficient space on what is a busy radial road.
There are two possible solutions here. The first would be to widen the north-west bound lane to allow a standard width cycle lane to be marked out. The second option would be to add a phase into the traffic light sequence that grants cyclists a ~10 second head start to clear this narrow stretch. This solution could involve detectors in the cycle lane upstream of the lights to avoid its unnecessary activation. It would also allow cyclists to position themselves better for the next junction, where traffic is split into two lanes.
Created by Harry Wood // 1 thread
I cycle southwards down Sussex Way each morning, and the logical thing to do is continue down Hornsey Road. Even better would be if this could somehow join onto the nicely cycle provisioned route down Arnette Road. Would make a logical route southwards, but short of bulldozing some shops, I'm not sure how it could be made to join up better.
So anyway I go down Hornsey Road, but the weird thing is I'm not allowed to turn right from Severn Sisters Rd to Horsey Road. It's weird because there's a little strip of cycle lane on Severn Sisters Road leading into this junction, which would very much imply that the highway planners are expecting cyclists to do this. Maybe there should be a blue 'except cyclists' sign there.... except that cyclists need to avoid running over the pedestrians who are crossing at that time in the traffic light sequence.
I'm actually not sure what can be done to improve this. Maybe someone else can think of something.
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 David Wilcox // 1 thread
Proposal
To provide either a fully segregated two-way cycle facility on the south side or a suitable alternative on Commercial Road and Clarence Road. If delivered this would provide an excellent East/West route that extends from Avonmouth to Temple Meads and beyond.
This scheme would tie in with proposals on Redcliffe Hill. BRT designs will be considered in conjunction with the proposals. This route will significantly help achieve the Local Enterprise Zone sustainable transport aims.
Rationale
Research has identified three key perceptions that deter people from taking up cycling: lack of personal safety; inconvenience; poor image. Experience from countries in northern Europe shows conclusively that in order for cycling to become a mass activity attracting all ages and abilities these perceptions have to be tackled and potential cyclists must believe they will feel safe, valued and normal. Facilities are needed that form a coherent network, separate cyclists from fast, high volume traffic and offer them a high degree of priority and convenience both on main routes and local roads. The purpose of Bristol's 'Design Cycling' work programme is to create a network and that is convenient, safe and provides speedy access all over the city. A network which a 12 year old would feel comfortable using.
Part of the 2013 Bristol City Council LSTF Proposal.
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 MikeF // 1 thread
Traffic light sensor on Beechwood Avenue does not detect 6061 T6 aluminium bike frames very well
Created by Shaun McDonald // 1 thread
Planning application: http://planningpages.midsuffolk.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=summary&keyVal=_MSUFF_DCAPR_92778
There are concerns about no or too little improvements for walking and cycling along Paper Mill Lane with the increase in traffic caused by the development.
Created by Shaun McDonald // 1 thread
The roundabout at the south end of Claydon under the A14 is pretty horrible for pedestrians and cyclists. It would be extremely useful if this could be upgraded to a Dutch style roundabout with:
* tighter entrances and exits will slow down vehicles to a safer speed while cyclists and pedestrians are around. The current dimensions are only ok when there are no cyclists or pedestrians around and it's safe for motors to go fast.
* single lane entrances and exit will make is easier to cross each arm. There would be no zig zag in the island.
* cycle track with separate pavement for pedestrians outside the roundabout, thus preventing conflict between the 3 modes of transport.
* cycle track crossing at 90 degrees to the road to aid visibility between different modes of transport.
Created by David Wilcox // 1 thread
Bristol City Council are changing the waiting restrictions across the whole of Clifton in Bristol. The number of places that you can legally park in are being decreased.
Cycle Parking is being removed on Victoria Street.