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:

  • A47 Alliance / Upgrade

    Created by MJR // 2 threads

    There is a group of councils and others (including the RAC) calling itself A47 Alliance with a website at http://www.a47alliance.co.uk/ calling for a road upgrade.

    The A47 is a significant barrier to cycling in many places, such as the single-carriageway stretch from Tilney All Saints near King's Lynn to Swaffham that blocks several desired east-west cycle routes - it is narrow with much heavy HGV traffic, so it's a challenge to cross and feels no fun for most people to ride along. It is possible that any upgrades could be "cycle-proofed" (to use current jargon) to unblock these routes.

    KLWNBUG has asked if CycleNation and CTC groups can be be invited to join the alliance.

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  • Access to Minster Quarter (Townscape Heritage Initiative)

    Created by MJR // 2 threads

    There was a Heritage Lottery Fund stage 1 project hoping to progress to stage 2 and work for 5 years from June 2014 to regenerate the "old town" around the Saturday Market Place. The initial draft contains no cycle measures but does mention cycle access policy, so may be persuaded to reinstate lost public cycle parking in places like opposite the old Post Office and might even be a way to fill in the missing link in National Cycle Network Route 1. The consultation papers are online at http://www.west-norfolk.gov.uk/default.aspx?page=26919 and open until 16 December.


    The key cycling problem in this area is the difficulty of accessing Saturday Market Place without passing through the poor junction at its east end and the lack of signs telling cyclists to use Priory Lane to reach SMP.

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  • Ashwicken School Rebuild

    Created by MJR // 0 threads

    This is Norfolk county matters application http://eplanning.norfolk.gov.uk/PlanAppDisp.aspx?AppNo=Y/2/2013/2013 due to be heard in a meeting starting Fri 6 Dec 2013 10am at County Hall, Norwich. 7 cycle parking spaces were proposed. I objected for KLWNBUG on the grounds that 26 should be provided. Norfolk County Council Highways suggested 14 spaces and a Standard Highway Condition (27 I think) which would leave it to the Borough Council to enforce, who don't have a great track record on that in my experience. The Borough Green Infrastructure Officer didn't comment on cycle parking. Norfolk Police seem OK with the final revision. NCC planning officer suggested that if the 14 are used then it could be expanded without further application and confirmed that as a county development, there's no scope for section 106 funds for building cycle tracks to neighbouring villages.

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  • Pinch point A65 Rawdon

    Created by WillC // 0 threads

    Road narrows at pedestrian island; pavement cut away but insufficient and not usable because of surface. Creates danger as it suggest to vehicles that there is more space than there is. Passing cyclists is dangerous.

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  • Swavesey to Buckingway Business Park cycleway

    Martin Lucas-Smith // 1 thread

    County Council is building a cycleway that will run for a mile from Boxworth End in Swavesey to Buckingway Business Park and over the A14 to Cambridge Services. This will also be available for horse riders, as it links to bridleways in the area.

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  • Progressing the LCC 2014 election campaign 'asks'

    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.

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  • Zizzi Restaurant on Bene't St - website

    Created by Heather Coleman // 1 thread

    Sorry, being a bit tongue in cheek here, but this just made me cross. And no-one has to follow this issue if they don't want to!

    website here
    http://www.zizzi.co.uk/venue/index/cambridge-benet-street

    I've been "in touch" and left these comments:

    "Your Cambridge Bene't St restaurant is allegedly "inspired by the huge cycling community". Therefore how come, in the "get directions" bit of the page, the only transport options are "car", "walk" or "train"? I know how to get from my place of employment to Bene't St by bike and even that there's a large underground cycle park just around the corner but, frankly, this is poor, and your marketing people need a rocket.

    I will be posting the url of the restaurant and these comments on Cyclescape to see what the rest of the huge cycling community think."

    I'll see what reply I get from their "customer experience team" and post it here as a thread when I do hear back from them.

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  • Deep crack - Very dangerous

    Created by Jose Ferraro // 1 thread

    As the cycle lane on Twickenham Road only goes into Park Road you need to leave the cycle lane to continue along Twickenham Road. At these two roads split there is a very deep crack that almost threw me over my handlebars as my front wheel dropped down it.

    This must have been there for quite a while as it is visible on google maps at the allocated point!!

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  • Clerkenwell Boulevard

    Created by Andrea Casalotti // 1 thread

    Here is an ambitious plan for a Bicycle Boulevard from Shoreditch to Fitzrovia, along Old Street, Clerkenwell Road and Theobalds Road, open only to bicycles, buses and motor traffic for local access only.
    a. It is now the most cycled route in London, showing that it is the desired EW route.
    b. It is of variable width, therefore trying to accommodate bikes, buses, and through traffic in a consistent and safe way is impossible. In other words, a compromise will be a botch job.
    c. There will not be mixing of buses and bicycles: bicycles will have a dedicated two way cycle lane on the South side of the street.
    d. The Boulevard stops being a mega- EW-rat-run. Motor traffic will have to use Pentonville/City Road.

    More details here: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1yw9mkHhGZaVBKYJs6FxyhC1Z4nNYVl-IFH-aR1ScK9U/pub?start=false#slide=id.p

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  • HGV and LGV traffic on Nuffield Road

    Created by Klaas Brümann // 1 thread

    Campaign for a 300m section of the unguided busway between Milton Road and the pedestrian and cyclists access at the end of Nuffield Close to be built as a road, providing a more direct access for lorries and cars to the trading estate.

    Nuffield Road’s residential section should then be cut-off for motorised through traffic just past Discovery Way, turning the first part of Nuffield Road into a residential close.

    Petition: http://iitm.be/ChestertonTrafficReduction
    Picture Gallery: http://iitm.be/NuffieldRoad

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  • Poor visibility junction

    Created by Andrew Clegg // 2 threads

    The majority of motor traffic turns right from Union Road to head north on Radcliffe Road, and vice versa. Radcliffe Road is a home zone southwards of this junction, with associated streetscaping, and NCN 23 follows the length of Radcliffe Road.

    The main problem is when heading North, where some nice streetscaping prevents drivers having a good view of any traffic exiting the home zone. A lesser problem is when heading South, where motor vehicles often pull out in front of you (presumably because they think that everyone will be turning left).

    The most obvious quick fix would be to put a stop sign at the end of union road.

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  • East Area Committee meetings

    Created by Al Storer // 7 threads

    Area Committees are a joint meeting attended by both city and county councillors. They decide on planning issues in the area, but also have a role in the allocation of community development money from S106 contributions. They offer an opportunity to engage with multiple councillors at once, through the Open Forum section and speaking on specific Agenda items. The East Area's website is here: https://www.cambridge.gov.uk/east-area-committee

    Speaking at these meetings is a good way of making your feelings on matters the councils control public.

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  • North Area Committee meetings

    Created by Al Storer // 10 threads

    Area Committees are a joint meeting attended by both city and county councillors. They decide on planning issues in the area, but also have a role in the allocation of community development money from S106 contributions. They offer an opportunity to engage with multiple councillors at once, through the Open Forum section and speaking on specific Agenda items. The North Area's website is here: https://www.cambridge.gov.uk/north-area-committee

    Speaking at these meetings is a good way of making your feelings on matters the councils control public.

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  • Countess Crescent / Countess Road open again

    Created by dan // 1 thread

    Just wondering if a decision has been made about the future of the junction.

    If you look on Crash map http://www.crashmap.co.uk/Search there is a pattern of accidents on Countess Crescent pre-closure near the school. In fact it looks like an accident hotspot!

    During the closure I was happy for my children to cycle up to the co-op to access the high street to go shopping, meet friends, etc. Not now! We live south of the railway line. When the closure was in place Countess Crescent became by accident a Cycling Boulevard. You can see from the dates on crashmap that it worked perfectly well as a Cycling Boulevard and was extremely safe (no accidents), so no trial would be required to determine if it is safer as a Cycling Boulevard as it has already taken place.

    The junction would be the ideal place to be part of a Cycling Boulevard type infrastructure to gain access to the high street and perhaps up to the swimming pool via Parsonspool. Cars would still have easy routes to the high street and swimming pool with a cycling boulevard system in place and cyclists/pedestrians would also have a safe and enjoyable route. That would be a safe and fair compromise for all road users, as all users would have safe and suitable routes.

    Currently it is not safe for adults or children by bike. Bit of a time bomb going on the crashmap site data. A positive change made for cyclists/pedestrians will benefit people locally in a safe and healthy way.

    To make restrictions only during school hours would be very short sighted, as this route is a main artery for all south of the railway to access all the clubs/shops/swimming north of the railway and vice versa for the children visiting hallhill or friends south of the railway. Basically children use this route at all hours not just in school hours. We should not compromise on child safety. The swimming pool is free all summer to the kids...what then?

    As a byproduct of a cycling boulevard, perhaps safe access for cyclists from the south of the railway line would encourage more people to visit the high street and shop, enhancing the local economy.

    Please can you let me know of any developments.

    For your info, a Bicycle Boulevard in Holland is a 'Woonerf', a living street:
    http://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/road-safety/9086705/Why-woonerfs-will-change-how-we-drive.html

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  • A Hazard Rich Environment

    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?"

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  • Cycle track priority over A14 slip roads

    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.

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  • Pampisford to Granta Park proposed cycleway

    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.

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  • Carter Cycle Bridge Western Access Improvements

    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?

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