Election campaign 2023
It is important that we engage with the candidates at each election, scrutinise their views, and press for their commitments to cycling.
Issues
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:
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22/02894/FUL Old building society premises in Cherry Hinton
Demolish and replace with terrace of three: conflicting bike store drawings, so which version already has permission?
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22/05183/FUL Replacement of and increase in cycle parking - Sidgwick Site
Is this a cause for celebration?
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Potential conflict between Perne Rd and Tiverton Way .
Like many other cyclists the majority being school pupils I have used the road between Perne Road and Tiverton Way as a way to avoid the traffic on Birdwood Road , however recently the work has begun to convert the bungalow and often with builders vehicles blocking the cycle path on Perne Road . Today I encountered a group of people gathered ( deep in discussion ) in the road adjacent to the empty site which lies closer to Tiverton Way and on hearing my cycle bell seemed reluctant to move . I am concerned that this could be a site for future conflict .
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22/04989/REM Landscaping, cycle parking etc for Eddington
Reserved matters for another phase of Eddington, including landscaping, cycle and pedestrians routes, and cycle parking.
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22/04491/FUL - Reconfiguration of 2-14 Fitzroy Street to create laboratories
New cycle parking proposed for staff and on street.
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Route for Festive Lights Ride 2022
We need to finalise the route for the Winter Lights ride on 10th Dec
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County Council meetings
The full Council, comprising all 61 County Councillors, is responsible for setting the Council's budget, the Council Tax and agreeing the Council's main policies.
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Combined Authority - Audit and Governance Committee
The Audit and Governance Committee's role is to review the Combined Authority's financial affairs, internal control, corporate governance arrangements and risk management. The Audit and Governance Committee was established by the Combined Authority in March 2017 in accordance with the Combined Authorities Order 2017. The committee is made up of one member from each of the constituent councils of the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority.
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Planning application: 22/00786/FPC Link road Europa Way and Bramford Road
Proposed construction of a link road between Europa Way and Bramford Road, with a new mini-roundabout on Bramford Road, together with a shared footway/cycleway, sustainable drainage and landscaping (Suffolk County Council ref. SCC/0090/22IP).
Land Between Europa Way And Bramford Road Ipswich Suffolk
Ipswich
Application reference : 22/00786/FPC
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Herbert St - bollards after roadworks
The bollards at the bottom of Herbert St haven't been replaced after the electricity cable was laid last week.
Rather than directly replacing the bollard slalom that existed beforehand, the bollard specialists might have suggestions on what the layout should be here which camcycle can suggest as for the replacement...
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Sawston/Babraham cycleway closure 2022-09-15 for 3.5 weeks
We've received a note from a concerned resident:
Not too sure if this has been informed of this but the Sawston to Babraham CyclePath is planned to be closed by a commercial property developer on 15th Sept. Don't know when it'll reopen. All cyclists will be forced to cycle on the main road that is a pretty hairy affair at the best of times. They did this already for 2 days back in August without any consultation. The cyclepath has become very popular in the last few years as many employees from the Babraham and Granta Parks use it for commuting. Also it's relatively new so can't believe that private developers are allowed to shut it basically to use it as a free convenient storage area.
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Unlit post hazard
Where the path splits there is a marker post that is completely invisible at night. It should be fitted with reflective material or removed.
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Dangerous to cross Milton Road diagonally at Toucan crossing
As the bridleway crosses Milton Road, it swaps sides of the busway, so most pedestrians and cyclists want to cross diagonally. However the toucan crossing only protects people crossing Milton Road. It doesn't stop busway traffic.
This is confusing and dangerous. When the road traffic stops at red lights, and the Toucan crossing turns green, it feels very safe to cross the busway. Yet buses can come from three directions (busway west, busway east, Milton Road south) at speeds of 30 mph.
Cyclists in particular are tempted to cross diagonally from north west to south east. Last week I saw a near accident.
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Long wait to cross Busway / Station Road, Histon
Pedestrians and cyclists at the toucan crossing where the busway meets Station Road, Histon have to wait a long time for the lights to change even if there is zero bus or road traffic.
This seems inconsistent with Highway Code rule H1 about the hierarchy of road users. Pedestrians should have priority over non-existent buses!
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safety issue
There are no give way markers where Max.Railway Path joins the Garroch Loaning cycle path
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East Cambridgeshire campaigns
Campaigns to improve active travel provision in East Cambridgeshire.
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Erection of 3no 2bed units by Pembroke College on Panton | 22/02776/FUL
22/02776/FUL | Erection of 3no 2bed units providing accommodation for use by Pembroke College, as well as alterations/refurbishment of existing Coach House to rear of 32 Panton Street and associated landscape works/vehicle and cycle parking, and bins storage, including the front gardens of nos 32-40 Panton Street. | The Coach House Rear Of 32 Panton Street Cambridge Cambridgeshire CB2 1HP
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Dwelling to HMO at 11 Darwin Drive
unacceptable cycle parking arrangement at dwelling house to sui generis large HMO (9no. bedrooms / 9no. occupants). | 11 Darwin Drive Cambridge Cambridgeshire CB4 3HQ.
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22/02722/HFUL | Erection of cycle shelter in front driveway
Hello
This is my application for a cycle shed on my driveway.
Unfortunately I have received an objection from a neighbour.
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Outline application for 125 dwellings in Fowlmere (22/02356)
Outline application for the development of up to 125 dwellings, with all matters reserved except for access. | Land East Of Long Lane Fowlmere SG8 7TG
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9 Flats on the Ives and Reed site | Newmarket Road | 22/02127/FUL
Demolition of existing house and erection of eight flats and one maisonette (net eight new homes) together with ancillary works | 611 Newmarket Road Cambridge Cambridgeshire CB5 8PA
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Orchards Green local centre
New local supermarket, day nursery, community centre and retail units being planned in the new estate in Ely. Lack of segregated/marked cycle access to the only community facilities in the North of the city, and by the looks of it not much cycle parking either. There is already a primary school and care home in the area and any cycle access provided is on shared paths.
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Manual for Streets update
The updated Manual for Streets is to be published on 1 July 2022.
This map shows all issues, whether points, routes, or areas:
The most popular issues, based on the number of votes:
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Lower Mortlake Road side roads
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. -
Dangerous cycle lanes in Ipswich Town Centre
In Museum Street and Upper Brook Street/Northgate Street it is very dangerous to cycle. Both roads are very narrow, have lots of buses pass through and there are contraflow cycle paths. On those you are very close to the buses (both directions) even if you wait on the pavements to let them through because you are worried about accidents. Can cyclepaths go through Elm Street, Tower Street or Tower Rampart instead?
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Proper cycle provision on Cherry Hinton Road needed
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.
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Cycle lane forces cyclists to yield priority
When cycling north-bound along Tavistock Road, there is a cycle lane in places. Once out from under the Crownhill Road bridge the lane turns sharply left, forcing cyclists to yield to traffic joining Tavistock Road from the left.
The Highway Code states you should yield to traffic from the right and this junction is very dangerous to cyclists. It would be far better to simply continue the cycle lane straight ahead and erect yield signs to traffic joining Tavistock Road -
Twickenham Bridge to Thames Path
The cycleways along the Thames Path and along Ducks Walk are not connected with the south/east side cycleway across Twickenham Bridge and only to the north/west side cycleway via a long detour through Old Deer Park or along The Avenue.
A ramped way down from the bridge would create a useful route for people into and out of Richmond town center that is currently only possible by using two flights of steps.
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Exeter to Crediton Cyclepath
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.
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Railway Route between Cambridge and Cherry Hinton
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.
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Litlington to Therfield over the A505 at Royston
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.
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Thames Garden Bridge
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 -
Petersham Road
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.
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Cycle lane infringement on Pembroke Street and Downing Street
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.
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Chicanes too close
Added to reduce confict with pedestrians at back of Leith Academy.
Will act as a barrier to long bikes, trailers and probably buggies and wheelchairs.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/chdot/8116937797/sizes/l/in/photostream
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Emmanuel College 12/0029/FUL
Starting a thread about this application here so we can continue on from the previous planning list discussion.
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Turn Dock Street entrance into continuous pavement/cycle track
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.
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Calton Gardens / Holloway
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.
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Upgrade footway on Wherestead Road over A14 to allow cycling and sign
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.
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Narrow Approach To Clifton Suspension Bridge With Unsuitable Cycle Lane
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.
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Restrictive Permeability between Bristol and South Gloucestshire on Wordsworth Road
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.
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Cottenham to Histon Cycleway
The Cottenham to Histon cycleway needs improvement.
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Link from SPCC route to Ipswich town centre
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.
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Various improvements between Ipswich and Harwich International
Many cyclists won't cycle to Harwich International from the Ipswich direction due to the roads. There really should be a high quality cycle route for this to continue the cycle journey from The Netherlands, where you can ride of the ferry and on to quality cycle infrastructure. The fact people choose the train is not a good sign.
This issue is the overall goal, and needs to be broken down into smaller sub issues of smaller more specific projects or improvements that can work towards this goal.
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Palewell Fields pedestrian route - obstruction
The path linking Bank Lane to Palewell Fields is currently pedestrian only, with gates across it. Opening this up to cyclists would improve permeability and provide a quiet route to Richmond Park Academy school from Roehampton (east-west); and to Ibstock Place school from Sheen (west-east).
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Should Cambridge 'Go Dutch' (or Danish)
London Cycling Campaign has reorientated its policy towards a 'Go Dutch' approach.
This aims to learn from best practice abroad rather than continuing with the 'hierarchy of provision' that, in 20 years in the UK, has arguably failed to deliver meaningful change.
This is an overarching issue for conceptual discussion of this issue.
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The 'Milton Road Effect'
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.
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Phasing of Eagle Street Lights eastbound such that you always get caught at second again
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.