Ealing to scrap almost all LTNs - 'consultation' with handful of responses used as 'referendum'; Council under fire for 'Britain's biggest bike lane'; New Masters hour record; Bike on roof shocker; Search for thief; Bike fairy + more on the live blog

IanMK wrote:

"A neighbourhood consultation asked how the area could be improved and whether cycle routes could be better, which many people agreed to without understanding the details of what would be built."

I'd really love to know this fella's views on Brexit 

He's probably quite happy if he voted to leave, as we left.

Jenova20 wrote:

IanMK wrote:

"A neighbourhood consultation asked how the area could be improved and whether cycle routes could be better, which many people agreed to without understanding the details of what would be built."

I'd really love to know this fella's views on Brexit 

He's probably quite happy if he voted to leave, as we left.

Yeah, cos that's worked out so well for everybody, hasn't it...?

IanMK wrote:

"A neighbourhood consultation asked how the area could be improved and whether cycle routes could be better, which many people agreed to without understanding the details of what would be built."

I'd really love to know this fella's views on Brexit 

There was an article on R4 this morning about Milton Keynes, and one person was asked what they thought of Brexit to which the response was "I voted for it but then they put Boris in charge, and I didn't want that." 

The article talked a lot about transport, but didn't manage to mention the cycle network.

johnsonmoog wrote:

I mean, do they (the van, lorry and car drivers etc.) not have the exact same amount of space on the road that they had before?

I doubt it, the story gives a figure of 18'10" for the road, which is only 2.85m per lane. This is very narrow for UK roads, clearly the road was not this narrow before, especially as a resident reports having lost his garden in the past to make the road wider.

A typical HGV is 2.6m wide + mirrors, so I can see whay they are having problems when lorries pass each other.

wycombewheeler wrote:

johnsonmoog wrote:

I mean, do they (the van, lorry and car drivers etc.) not have the exact same amount of space on the road that they had before?

I doubt it, the story gives a figure of 18'10" for the road, which is only 2.85m per lane. This is very narrow for UK roads, clearly the road was not this narrow before, especially as a resident reports having lost his garden in the past to make the road wider.

A typical HGV is 2.6m wide + mirrors, so I can see whay they are having problems when lorries or busses pass each other.

But it is a B road, some B roads are just single carriageway with passing points, so is it that out of the ordinary for a UK road or simply the locals have been treating it like a motorway for decades ?

Awavey wrote:

But it is a B road, some B roads are just single carriageway with passing points, so is it that out of the ordinary for a UK road or simply the locals have been treating it like a motorway for decades ?

It's a four digit B road, too.  Not the sort of road that's supposed to be a main route to or from anywhere...

brooksby wrote:

Awavey wrote:

But it is a B road, some B roads are just single carriageway with passing points, so is it that out of the ordinary for a UK road or simply the locals have been treating it like a motorway for decades ?

It's a four digit B road, too.  Not the sort of road that's supposed to be a main route to or from anywhere...

I think single track roads with passing places are usually undesignated (i.e. no number) not B roads

wycombewheeler wrote:

brooksby wrote:

Awavey wrote:

But it is a B road, some B roads are just single carriageway with passing points, so is it that out of the ordinary for a UK road or simply the locals have been treating it like a motorway for decades ?

It's a four digit B road, too.  Not the sort of road that's supposed to be a main route to or from anywhere...

I think single track roads with passing places are usually undesignated (i.e. no number) not B roads

There's plenty of 2-digit B roads in the north of Scotland (and possibly parts of Wales) which are single track roads with passing places. A lot of the A roads in the far north west of Scotland (including the Inner and Outer Hebrides) are single track roads with passing places as well.

wycombewheeler wrote:

brooksby wrote:

Awavey wrote:

But it is a B road, some B roads are just single carriageway with passing points, so is it that out of the ordinary for a UK road or simply the locals have been treating it like a motorway for decades ?

It's a four digit B road, too.  Not the sort of road that's supposed to be a main route to or from anywhere...

I think single track roads with passing places are usually undesignated (i.e. no number) not B roads

I've cycled on the B8016 in Islay and had to pull to the side to let an oncoming lorry past.

https://goo.gl/maps/FNkAxSDZqYkmjqGZA

Also the need for a wide road seems to be based on the claim "Around 50 per cent of the vehicles on the road are trade and heavy goods vehicles". The Photos don't reflect this. I presume the photographer hung around for a bit but didn't actually manage to capture any issues.

You do have to wonder why around 50% of the vehicles on a four digit B road are trade and heavy goods vehicles...   Isn't there a main (or, more major) road they could be using?

Certainly looks an issue for 2 buses

Would be better to see the actual scheme documents with the design widths rather than a 'measurement' drawn on a photo.

I don't think there are any buses using this road (but I might be wrong). Lots of lorries going to/from the new housing development along here though

The plans show they are moving a bus shelter as part of the works. Although I suppose that does not mean buses currently run !

Plus

Bus routes

There may be affected bus stop locations throughout the works. Our engineers will liaise with any affected bus companies. Check if there are any route disruptions on Traveline.

wycombewheeler wrote:

johnsonmoog wrote:

I mean, do they (the van, lorry and car drivers etc.) not have the exact same amount of space on the road that they had before?

clearly the road was not this narrow before, especially as a resident reports having lost his garden in the past to make the road wider.

Wasn't that 60 years ago? I'm sure i read that somewhere...He can't still be annoyed by that surely...

He was only two years old at the time - presumably it ruined his childhood.

Jenova20 wrote:

wycombewheeler wrote:

johnsonmoog wrote:

I mean, do they (the van, lorry and car drivers etc.) not have the exact same amount of space on the road that they had before?

clearly the road was not this narrow before, especially as a resident reports having lost his garden in the past to make the road wider.

Wasn't that 60 years ago? I'm sure i read that somewhere...He can't still be annoyed by that surely...

must have been some childhood trauma that as he is only 62. But if the road was widened as it was the trunk road, and it is now no longer the trunk road replaced by the paralel A31 there should be no issue making it narrower again. Certainly the "they made it wider for safety, why are they undoing that?" is not valid if the status of the road has changed.

I still think lanes of 2.75m are a little snug, although I have looked for guidance which allows roads to be as narrow as 5m (7.3m where used as bus routes). I think the "normal" width of a single lane is 3.65m

Maybe the council will helpfully paint parking bays in it, like they've done with a bus lane in Milton Keynes.

Saving grace is the redways - but of course, shared use, giving way at every junction and front doors opening almost directly onto it - I would still ride down the road here.

If you've got evidence of corruption (you say there's "no doubt") please, please report it to the Police.

Could do with a couple decorative trees in the middle, but obviously not small bushy ones. Something more like a pine tree barrier would look good.

Still under construction though so maybe not how it will look.

I see the daily hate has a photo of a cyclist using the road with a caption saying he isn't using the cycle lane. No shit sherlock, if you look at right hand side of the photo, you can see that bit is still being built and is barriered off.

Fair point. I guess overlaying with red tarmac, painting lanes and hatched areas where it undulates next to the road and the raised kerbs would help a lot.

HoarseMann wrote:

The amount of space they've given cycling with that bike lane is ok, but as ever, the actual implementation is woeful. The worst bit being the undulating tarmac and raised kerbs between driveways. Plus, why not paint lane markings on it? Why the  cycle symbols plonked seemingly at random down the middle? Arrghh!!!!

is the kerb between the road and cycleway raised? the kerb between the cycleway and footpath definately undulates for the driveways.

wycombewheeler wrote:

HoarseMann wrote:

The amount of space they've given cycling with that bike lane is ok, but as ever, the actual implementation is woeful. The worst bit being the undulating tarmac and raised kerbs between driveways. Plus, why not paint lane markings on it? Why the  cycle symbols plonked seemingly at random down the middle? Arrghh!!!!

is the kerb between the road and cycleway raised? the kerb between the cycleway and footpath definately undulates for the driveways.

Yes, it looks like there is a raised chamfered edge kerb between the road and cycleway - there's also a large raised bus stop kerb.

Fair enough the bus stop, but the rest is just going to cause unnecessary undulation when riding along.