Segregated cycleway is a good “first step”, say campaigners

Plans to build new segregated cycleways on two busy Cambridge roads have received a thumbs-up from the local cycling campaign.

Cambridgeshire County Council is proposing new, Dutch-style segregated lanes on Hills Road and Huntingdon Road. Hills Road would have a dedicated cycleway on each side between Cherry Hinton Road and Queen Edith’s Way/Long Road. Huntingdon Road would only get the full segregated treatment in the city-bound direction, with the council citing budget constraints as the reason for not putting one in on both sides.

Cambridge Cycling Campaign says that the plans are the best they’ve yet seen in the city.

“We think the proposals represent a step-change in approaching cycle infrastructure in Cambridge, and a necessary start to tackling the barrier that main roads pose to increased and safe cycling. We commend the officers on the work put into the proposals, and look forward to more high-quality, segregated schemes as part of the Cambridge City Deal.”

However, they point out that the junctions will still be far from ideal, and that Huntingdon Road should have a cycle lane in each direction.

“We view the proposals as a first step. The success of the aim to get more people cycling, particularly those are not confident among traffic, will be dependent on the junctions which connect routes, and those are not within the scope of the plans. Huntingdon Road will be incomplete until it has an outbound cycle lane of the same high quality proposed for the inbound lane. The County must make a clear statement of intention to improve the junctions in future.”

The consultation on the improvements closes today.

Westminster lobbies against new Thames bridge

Plans for a new cycle bridge across the River Thames in London are facing opposition from Westminster City Council – because local gardens and a yachting base would be affected.

Transport for London is planning a new bridge between Nine Elms, by Battersea Power Station, and Pimlico. Nine Elms is being extensively redeveloped, and cycling improvements are a key part of the proposals.

The preferred location for the bridge is from the American Embassy, on the south bank, to Pimlico Gardens on the north side. However, Westminster City Council – generally thought to be the least bike-friendly of all the London councils – is campaigning against this location. They say:

“Officers remain unconvinced about the need for a new bridge and continue to reiterate Westminster’s serious concerns about the likely impact of the bridge in the proposed location (residential amenity, highways impact, loss of public open space and trees etc). Our preference, should proposals for such a bridge proceed, is for an alternative location adjacent to the existing Grosvenor Rail Bridge. No funding has been secured to date and formal consultation will not take place until June 2014 at the earliest.”

Westminster’s approach to the new bike bridge contrasts with their attitude to the proposed (pedestrian-only) ‘Garden Bridge’ across the Thames, which they describe as “overwhelmingly supportive”.

Local Liberal Democrats are also opposed to the new bridge. They say:

“We have been very concerned re: the impact of this option on the local road network and the environment on the north side of the river, notably on the existing open spaces and trees in Pimlico Gardens. Some trees would have to be removed. There would also be a significant impact on the Westminster Boating Base, and residential amenities would be affected as well. The Westminster and City of London Liberal Democrats, along with Westminster Council, have suggested that a more suitable location for the bridge would be adjacent to the existing Grosvenor railway bridge. This would better link the Battersea Power Station with Victoria. It would also be cheaper and greener.”

TfL has acknowledged the Grosvenor railway bridge alternative as a possible alternative to the all-new bridge. Its location close to Chelsea Bridge would mean that fewer new journey opportunities were opened up for cyclists, whereas the new bridge would link with the proposed Cycle Superhighway 5 in Pimlico, which has been altered to run up Belgrave Road. However, those arguing for the Grosvenor option say that it would be more convenient for Victoria railway station.

The bridge is expected to carry 9,000 cyclists and 9,000 pedestrians every day. It would be 7.5m wide and would cost an estimated £30m to construct. No funding has yet been identified for the project.

Eye-level cycle signals could be a common sight

Car drivers’ favourite moan about cyclists is that we skip red lights – rarely recognising that most such lights are introduced to tame cars, not bikes. 

Now, low-level special traffic lights for bikes are starting to appear in Britain, with the second such set to be installed in Norwich.

A major cycling scheme called ‘Push the Pedalways’ proposes to create contraflow cycle lanes on two busy city streets, Magdalen Street and Cowgate. The City Council recognises that local cyclists, exasperated at having to take a long diversion around these one-way streets, have taken matters into their own hands and customarily cycle on the pavement instead.

As part of this, new traffic lights will be installed at cyclists’ eye level, making them easier to see. Such lights are common in Europe but have only been installed at one location in Britain – the notorious Bow Roundabout in East London. According to Local Transport Today, the Department for Transport, which has to approve new designs, has suggested it will “look favourably” on these new signals.

Another traffic light innovation is to be tried in Oxford. The light-controlled junction with Longwall Street and ‘the High’ is notorious for encouraging racing, as buses, cars and bikes jostle to get ahead on their way to the Plain roundabout. As part of its planned changes to the Plain, Oxfordshire County Council is proposing to install a special cycle green light, which would give cyclists a five-second head start. Again, special permission will be required from the DfT.

Bike-carrying buses are just the ticket

The Isle of Wight’s coast is an all-time favourite ride – but if you don’t want to tackle the whole circuit in one go, new bike-carrying buses could be just the ticket.

Local bus company Southern Vectis is fitting bike storage to its four ‘Coaster’ buses. The Isle of Wight Council is paying for each bus to get six bike spaces – the same amount as on an InterCity train. (The Isle of Wight, of course, has London Underground’s cast-off trains.)

Four journeys will leave per day from either Ryde or Yarmouth, with some extended to include East Cowes and Newport, providing a round-the-Island connection for cyclists. It will mean cyclists can now visit local attractions or areas they would normally drive to using public transport instead with their bicycles.

Luisa Hillard from Isle of Wight Council said:

“The project will support cyclists getting from the ferries, to and from their accommodation and to the tourist attractions in more remote locations and will be particularly useful for those who may not feel able to cycle long distances but enjoy cycling locally. It will strengthen the reputation of the Isle of Wight as one of the best places for a cycling holidays in the world.”

General manager of Southern Vectis, Matt Kitchin, added:

"The Coaster route has proven to be tremendously popular as it is a great way to see the Island and visit attractions without the hassle of driving. The addition of space for bikes on board gives more opportunities for cyclists to get out and about, enjoying the scenery without relying on a car."

The cycle-carrying buses are part of a new scheme, ‘Bicycle Island’, which aims to bring more cycle tourists to the island. The newly converted Coaster buses will begin service from 5 April and will run daily until 28 September. There is no charge to carry bicycles on the buses other than the normal passenger fare. The mechanism used for storing the bicycles has been designed by two local engineering students.

Old railway line becomes Wolverhampton cycleway

A long-disused railway line is to be converted into a new urban cycleway for Wolverhampton.

The old branch line from Priestfield to Wolverhampton city centre is to be cleared and tarmaced at a cost of £290,000. The work will be carried out by transport authority Centro and Wolverhampton City Council.

Cllr Judith Rowley from Centro said: 

“This is a really inventive way to make use of a rail line which has been unused for more than 40 years. The route was already in place so it seemed a perfect opportunity for us to create an off-road cycle route in this part of Wolverhampton, which will also serve as an ideal footpath. Cycling and walking can help cut congestion on our roads as well as having clear benefits for both people's health and the environment and we hope this infrastructure will contribute to all of these things.”

The route will provide a direct route from residential areas into central Wolverhampton – as well as Monmore Green Greyhound Stadium!

Meanwhile, two more cycle routes are being planned nearby along the A41 road to link Wolverhampton with Bilston.