Pedal Power
Issue 167
November 2023
www.ldcuc.org.uk
Charnwood Draft Transport Strategy
Charnwood Borough Council has recently produced a Draft Transport Strategy to support its proposed Draft Local Plan.
Some of the proposed highway improvements will make the roads more dangerous for walking, cycling and wheeling. While there are many references to the need to encourage sustainable transport modes, the proposed highway improvements do nothing to encourage active travel, and in some cases will discourage it. This is disappointing in that the objective is to mitigate the risk of increased traffic congestion following residential and other developments. Encouraging active travel as an alternative to private car use will provide such mitigation.
The document includes proposals for widening and lengthening the flare lanes onto roundabouts that would encourage higher speeds from motorists, thus increasing danger to pedestrians and cyclists crossing the arms of the roundabouts.
A segregated left turn bypass is being proposed for the Epinal Way / Beacon Road roundabout. This would worsen conditions for both cyclists using the cycle path and pedestrians proceeding along Beacon Road. Both would be delayed by the additional Toucan crossing. Cyclists who choose to stay on the carriageway would have to tolerate an extra element of danger. They would encounter vehicles using the bypass merging in on their left when the cyclist would often be in the driver’s blind spot.
No improvements are proposed for the Epinal Way / Park Road roundabout, even though this is probably the most problematic (for motorists as well as cyclists and pedestrians) of all the roundabouts on the A6004. The existing facilities for cyclists and pedestrians are a complete mess, with a signalised crossing over Park Road in the wrong position for users of the cycle path alongside Epinal Way.
The A6004 / Allendale Road roundabout is another junction where no improvements are proposed although the current conditions are dangerous for cyclists and pedestrians. Its design encourages high vehicle speeds, causing serious danger to cyclists and pedestrians crossing arms of the roundabout, particularly Allendale Road. This must be discouraging Rawlins Academy students and staff from walking or cycling rather than travelling by car.
Charnwood 2023-2030 Climate Change Strategy
In addition to publishing its draft Transport Strategy, the Council has also updated its Climate Change Strategy. The Strategy and Action Plan have been formed around seven key themes of which Transport is first on the list.
The stated aim of the Transport theme is “to deliver low carbon, affordable transport options and to decarbonise transport within our own operations and services”. To achieve this the Council will
It states that “Transport is our largest source of CO2 emissions”.
Amongst the Adaptations it says it will make are
We can only hope that those drafting the Transport Strategy will liaise with those responsible for the Climate Change Strategy.
Putting Cycling and walking on the Map
Max Hunt
A few years ago, Charnwood Borough Council, who have responsibility for street naming, rolled out a policy of naming footpaths and cycleways in Loughborough. They were slightly smaller than street signs and had green lettering. You can see them dotted around the town. Some of them, though not all, were carried on to the National Gazetteer (see findmystreet.co.uk). The gazetteer is the source of all the street names you see flashing up on your Garmin, Wahoo or other satnav app.
The idea was to give cycling and walking a higher profile and was justified by the fact that reports of maintenance, crimes and direction finding were greatly simplified. With attention to detail the names could reflect history (Clay Pipe Jitty) or direction (William Way goes to William Street). As well as this, it cultivates a greater sense of place.
Despite the increased emphasis on cycling and walking, the practice only lasted a few years, so it’s time to put cycling and walking back on the map.
If you know of a path in your neighbourhood that needs to be put on the map, for all the reasons above, drop me a line giving the location and your preferred name and why. Small steps they may be, but if we get a good response, we can use this to give sustainable modes greater visibility.
max.hunt@leics.gov.uk Thanks.Garendon Park Access
Jim Thorpe has been in contact with planners about the surfacing of footpaths and cycleways in the Park. He has stressed that, from a cycling perspective, the best surface would be tarmac. This is a long-lasting, good walking and cycling surface. Whilst some cycle tracks are surfaced in crushed stone, these quickly start to decline in quality. The surface breaks up, dips form which create puddles, weeds invade, and leaves and other debris tend to collect.
A very good example of the durability of the two surface types can already be seen on the old Charnwood railway track. The sections near the schools are tarmac, and remain clean and useable all year round. The sections beyond Cowbridge Drive are the grit style finish. They have gradually narrowed, the surface has been broken up in places, and there are plenty of large muddy patches. During the winter months they are unsuitable for normal cycling and walking.
Looking at the continuation of the route from Pitsford Drive into Garendon Park, this is tree lined all the way. Leaf and branch debris will fall onto the track. If this is not a tarmac surface, it will not take many years before it is in the same state as the preceding sections.
The opening up of Garendon Park could be a real positive for Charnwood residents, providing pleasant walking and transport routes for all to use. Good quality cycling surfaces between Loughborough and Shepshed would encourage more people to consider switching from using the car to travel. Done properly, this could help offset the many complaints about this large new housing development.
Retain low traffic neighbourhoods and 20mph!
Rishi Sunak and his Ministers have attacked their own Government policy supporting low traffic neighbourhoods and 20mph zones in England.
These vital measures have helped bring cycling fatalities to a 30 year low, but we urgently need to see them rolled out more widely, alongside protected cycle lanes.
A Government U-turn on safe residential roads would destroy any hopes of a cycle friendly future. But if we don't stand up to be counted, politicians will never know that we want action for safer cycling.
Cycling UK is advocating sending letters to the Prime Minister on the subject and is providing a draft letter that you can edit as you see fit.
NHS Net Zero travel and transport strategy
NHS England has published this new strategy document. In order to function, the NHS requires journeys between hospitals, clinics, communities, and suppliers, accounting for just under 10 billion road miles per annum (3.5% of the UK total). With 1 in every 25 working age adults devoted to providing health care, commuting by staff accounts for almost 60% of its CO2 emissions.
The document states that most NHS staff commuting journeys are in single occupancy vehicles. A shift to public transport and active travel will not only reduce greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution, but also deliver significant health and wellbeing benefits to the individual and wider society. Physical activity has significant and wide-ranging health benefits including improved cardiovascular, metabolic and musculoskeletal health; reduced risk of falls and cancer, and improved mental health outcomes, including reduced incidence of depression and dementia.
Cycling UK East Midlands Mince Pie Run
This event, that raises funds for Rainbows Children's Hospice, will again be taking place at Belton Village Hall (weather permitting) on Sunday 17th December. If you could spare some time to assist with the running of this event please let John Catt know or email mincepie@ctclr.org.uk.
