Issues

Create new issue

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:

  • Woodbridge Road Cycle Lanes and Bus Stops

    Created by Jon_B // 2 threads

    The marked cycle lane at the beginning of Woodbridge Road (heading East) is interrupted by two bus stops (seen in the photo - photo is actually taken looking west).

    Unsurprisingly, buses pull in there regularly, leaving cyclists to either wait behind them or to overtake, which involves moving into the right hand lane. This is also at a point where traffic coming from St Helen's Street is merging into this right hand lane from the right, which is basically a recipe for disaster.

    My view is that the bus stops should be repainted outside the cycle lane, and the cycle lane then interrupted with a give way marking requiring cyclists to give priority to pedestrians crossing the lane to board or alight from buses.

    There would be no additional inconvenience to cars (as the buses block the lane anyway) and risk of bus passenger / cycle conflict could be minimised by the give way markings.

    Please sign in to vote.

  • Faded paint and invisible signs on shared/dual use pavements

    Created by Heather Coleman // 3 threads

    This is a general use issue so people can create specific threads about shared or dual use pavements where mainly the paint is so worn that they sometimes get abuse or are told off for riding where it's perfectly legal to do so.

    I'm not a great fan of these facilities, and totally subscribe to their use being 100% optional, but there are places where they are useful for some or many, for example a short stretch to avoid having to turn right twice, or to be able to make a turn at traffic lights rather than in the middle of an unsignalled area.

    Please sign in to vote.

  • Cycle Parking at West Norfolk NHS/GP/Medical Sites

    Created by MJR // 1 thread

    I have yet to find a NHS site in West Norfolk with cycle parking that is up to standard. Common defects include it being shoved on the far edge of the car park or behind a building, or being inaccessible by bicycle. This might be resolved by the planning process or by the site operators.

    Please sign in to vote.

  • Lynn Town Centre Parking

    Created by MJR // 2 threads

    We need more good cycle parking in the town centre, both resident and visitor parking. This may be achieved through planning applications or otherwise.

    Please sign in to vote.

  • Norfolk Policing Priorities

    Created by MJR // 1 thread

    Some cycling issues could be improved if the traffic laws were enforced. Do police give enough resources to traffic policing? Should we be asking for plain clothes police on bicycles with cameras? Should Norfolk have something like London's Operation Safeway?

    Or is that a bad idea? As one ex-policeman claimed on CTC forums "it's a darned sight easier for anybody to issue a tcket to a cyclist... than it is to do a proper check of a truck, including tachograph etc. This will "prove" that cyclists are the problem"

    Suggestions by Tonyf33 on those forums included the following policing-related suggestions:
    "Enforcing the law properly with regard to cyclist/motorist incidents in a way that should be a deterrant not a signal that it is okay to kill/maim people knowing you're more likely to get a slap on the wrist if at all.
    Ensuring that the CPS/Judges do their jobs properly/fairly & that Police do not ignore crimes committed against cyclists which they do at present.
    Making sure cyclists get dealt with regarding breaking the law fairly and in proportion to motorists
    STOP THE VICTIM BLAMING CULTURE, no 'advice' from police et al regarding hi-vis & helmets, focus on the real problems"

    Please sign in to vote.

  • New potholes around drains

    Created by Alistair // 1 thread

    New potholes have opened up around the drain covers on the eastbound A1214. They are on the "Straight On Lane" at the roundabout with Ropes Drive.

    Please sign in to vote.

  • Poor visibility on cycleway exit due to tree

    Created by Alistair // 0 threads

    When exiting the cyclepath to join Anson Road you need to see the roundabout clearly (especially to see southbound A14 traffic turning left to join Anson Road. A large tree has overhanging branches which block the view. It's worse when it has leaves.

    Please sign in to vote.

  • Cemetery Lane layout creates conflict

    Created by Kevin Ablitt // 0 threads

    To carry on towards Colchester Road or bear right into Belvedere Road is OK but if you are approaching the junction from Belvedere Road and wish to turn into Cemetery Lane northbound you must come right up to a blind corner and make a sharp turn into a narrow kerb edged cycle facility. This is quite a dangerous manouevre to carry out. It would have been better to have a lane entering the wide oad marked with stop lines and no-entry as it is further back from the blind turn. In fact some people may be tempted to do this, but it is both dangerous and illegal. Both the danger and the temptation to carry out an illegal manouevre could have been excluded at the design stage.

    Please sign in to vote.

  • New white lines needed on contrflow

    Created by MikeH // 0 threads

    The contraflow on Museum St is not my favourite bit of cycle route, but given that it xcan be a busy and tricky bit, the white lines where it crosses Westgate St should at least be in good order, but they're not. An easily fixed problem you would think?

    Please sign in to vote.

  • Access to Arnison centre

    Created by Matthew Phillips // 1 thread

    The main routes into the Arnison Centre are understandably pretty busy with cars and involve negotiating roundabouts. The quietest route in for bikes is via Abbey Road, the entrance in the middle of the south of the site, as used by the buses. However, the road is currently one-way. It would be good if it could be made an official entrance and exit for bikes. It lands you closest to the large rank of cycle racks outside Sainsbury's. There is sufficient width on Abbey Road to allow for cycle lanes to help connect with Newton Hall and Pity Me.

    The County Durham Plan envisages another large supermarket and car-park being built immediately to the north of the Arnison Centre, across the other side of the main road, as part of the large housing development proposed. DBUG has objected to this as part of our response to the plan, as providing more local shops would encourage walking and cycling whereas these proposals will just further entrench shopping by car. The proposals appeared to include cycle access to the new housing site via an upgraded path to the west of the Arnison Centre (shown as a footpath currently) but failed to address access to the shops by bike.

    The Arnison Centre could do with more cycle racks dispersed round the site, outside each of the shops. At present there is a very large number of racks, but they are all outside Sainsbury's.

    Please sign in to vote.

  • Durham bus station redevelopment

    Created by Matthew Phillips // 1 thread

    The Durham City Integrated Transport Approach document, part of the proposed new County Durham Plan, states that it is the Council's intention to relocate the bus station in Durham and to remove the A690 roundabout by the railway station, converting it to an ordinary junction with lights.

    The document can be viewed at http://durhamccconsult.
    limehouse.co.uk/file/2679025 and the relevant sections are 3.49 onwards. The document mentions improving the area for pedestrians but neglects to consider the potential for cycling infrastructure improvements in the area.

    The DBUG response to the County Plan (available at http://community.dur.ac.uk/m.e.phillips/cycling/DBUGResponse.pdf ) devotes a section to this matter (see pages 21 to 23).

    Opportunities for better cycling infrastructure include:
    * restricting vehicle access to North Road and allowing two-way cycling
    * linking the station to neighbouring cycle lanes
    * better connection to Framwellgate Peth and the north of the city
    * remodelling the Milburngate roundabout also
    * removing through traffic from the portion of North Road beyond the viaduct

    We need to lobby not just for immediate cycling needs to be taken into account in the design for the new road layout, but also for future possibilities by bringing forward design of strategic cycle routes through the city, otherwise we risk losing a very rare opportunity to transform provision at a key city-centre junction.

    According to the document, construction will commence in the 2014/15 financial year, with a timescale of 18 months. This means the plans must already be fairly fully developed.

    Please sign in to vote.

  • NCN 12/61 crossing on A414 entry slip.

    Created by John Shead // 1 thread

    When busy, crossing this junction is hazardous when negotiating with northbound vehicles at speeds of up to 40mph.
    No indication is provided to motorists that there will be conflict.
    A speed table with dragons teeth markings needs to be installed.

    Please sign in to vote.

  • St Peters Dock lethal rail tracks

    Created by Alex Oldman // 1 thread

    Disused railway tracks on St Peters Dock provide short section of road surface that is dangerous to traverse from East to West by bike.

    If you are avoiding crossing the tracks then you are forced into oncoming traffic.

    If you cross the tracks, you are then potentially trapped between parked cars and the railway tracks, which can be dangerous.

    The tracks are very slippery when wet or icy, and sections are often hidden underwater because there is poor drainage after heavy rain.

    Ideally the tracks are totally removed, or the surface covered with concrete or tarmac.

    Please sign in to vote.

  • cycle lane waving in and out of road

    Created by Andrea Bredel // 1 thread

    this is one of many cycle lanes here in Ipswich that go on and off the road several times. This is very awkward for cyclists as they need to be very careful when getting back onto the road and most probably confuses drivers as well.

    Please sign in to vote.

  • Holywells Park Cycle Route

    Created by Ned Harrison // 1 thread

    Holywells Park has a section of cycle route 51 running through it, linking South East Ipswich to the centre with a pleasant and safe route down to the waterfront.

    During Winter, the park is closed at dusk, sometimes as early as 4, meaning that just when the roads are most dangerous (dark and wet) cyclists are forced onto steep and busy routes either along Cliff Lane or up Bishops Hill.

    The closures are largely at the request of the Park Friends group. I've spoken to them, and their concerns seem to be largely about what might go on after dark. It's not clear that there is any evidence for this, nor that the current situation of locking the main gates but leaving others would do anything to deter misbehaviour.

    Keeping it open as a cycle route would ensure a legitimate presence in the park, and help provide less confident cyclists in the area with a safe route to and from town.

    I'd propose either locking later, or for a trial period leaving the park unlocked.

    Please sign in to vote.

  • London Road / Hospital Walk Junction Signals Upgrade

    Created by MJR // 1 thread

    Discovered that this junction is "due for upgrade in the 2014/15 financial year. The budget for the traffic signal upgrade programme is essentially aimed at a like for like replacement scheme with new equipment. However we try to accommodate low cost improvements that can be implemented at the same time. ... There is scope to implement an advanced cycle stop line on Hospital Walk, although there would not be sufficient carriageway width for a lead in lane."

    This is one possible way to improve westbound connectivity from the Walks and Chase through Millfleet to the town centre and southbound Route 1. The increased distance (compared to Broad Walk) is offset by light traffic, a 20mph zone and a potentially easier crossing - but at the moment, the lights make bikes exiting Hospital Walk wait a long time and then it lets hardly any out before turning red again.

    Please sign in to vote.

  • No safe cycle access to Beacon Hill services/Travelodge Hotel

    Created by Shaun McDonald // 0 threads

    Considering that this is very close to the National Cycle Route 51, I'm wondering why it's basically impossible to get to, on a bicycle without going on a major trunk road roundabout?

    Cyclists may not be their target market, however service stations can be useful on longer cycle rides for food supplies. Also hotels can prove useful if a longer journey, touring, or realise your too tired on an overnight ride, such as the nearby Dunwich Dynamo.

    Please sign in to vote.

  • Awkward turning onto cycle path, Shincliffe Peth

    Created by Matthew Phillips // 1 thread

    Coming out of Durham down Shincliffe Peth on the A167, there is a pedestrian refuge at the foot of the hill, by the turning to the cycle-track which skirts the bottom of Maiden Castle hill-fort. You are expected to negotiate a 180 degree turn to access this track, at the same time as avoiding speeding cars and the pinch-point of a refuge. In the other direction, cyclists have to be cautious of using the refuge as the width of it is not sufficient to accommodate a tandem or a cycle with trailer or child tag-along attachment. Visibility is poor when crossing the road from north to south.

    Improvements might include moving the 30mph limit to the foot of the hill, introducing speed cushions or a raised junction table. If the speed were reduced, the central refuge would not be needed and some of the difficulties might be avoided, but that may not be the best solution at this site.

    Speed of the traffic is the main issue here, both for cyclists and the pedestrians who use the popular footpaths.

    Please sign in to vote.

  • Does the path towards Shincliffe end here?

    Created by Matthew Phillips // 0 threads

    From the bottom of Shincliffe Peth, past Houghall College, there is a shared use pavement on the south-west side of the A177, as can be seen from the map. However, if you are proceeding south-east towards Shincliffe, it is unclear what you are supposed to do at the point shown in the photograph. It is easy enough for cyclists coming the other way to leave the road as indicated, but going south-east should you cross to the other side of the road, or continue along the increasingly narrow footway, which is not really wide enough for pedestrians and cyclists to share? There is certainly no signage further along the path to suggest that cyclists are supposed to be there.

    Please sign in to vote.

  • Strange end of cycle route by Maiden Castle sports ground

    Created by Matthew Phillips // 0 threads

    On the north-east side of the A177 there is a short stretch of pavement cycle route which ends abruptly as shown in the photograph, with no dropped kerb back onto the road.

    The purpose of the sign and the route are unclear. From Google Streetview you can see that there is a path leading into the sports grounds: http://goo.gl/maps/ELHci -- if that is the destination of the cycle path then why does it have an "End of cycle route" sign, if the user is intended to continue into the grounds?

    Even if that's the intention, a dropped kerb would be handy as cyclists may have taken to the pavement not realising that the route was going to finish again so soon.

    Please sign in to vote.

  • Framwellgate Waterside roadspace allocation

    Created by Matthew Phillips // 0 threads

    The picture shows Framwellgate Waterside, part of the national cycle network route through Durham which also connects with a major route to Newton Hall and the riverbank paths. Yet as a car driver you could be completely unaware that this is a major cycle route as there is no obvious cycling provision. Cyclists can be unsure whether they are meant to be on the road or on the footway by the river.

    At the far end of the shot, the road disappears under the Gates shopping centre, where are located two car parks with a capacity of over 450 places. Despite this we have on-road car parking all along this stretch of road. Providing a fully-segregated bi-directional cycle path of decent width instead would send a much stronger signal that cycling is being taken seriously as a mode of transport. If the parking really is required, then when the passport office site is redeveloped the road should be shifted across to make more room for dedicated cycle infrastructure.

    Please sign in to vote.

This map shows all issues, whether points, routes, or areas:

Back to top