Review of the Highway Code
Goverment Review of HWC
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 Newcycling - Newcastle Cycling Campaign:
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Highway Code changes
A bill is being put forward to sentence any cyclist convicted of dangerous cycling to a 14 year prison term.
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DfT consultations
Current DfT consultations.
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DfT Policy Paper - Inclusive Transport Strategy
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/inclusive-transport-strategy
Lots of interesting stuff about inclusive transport regarding trains, buses, cars, public realm, streets and yes a bit about cycling too. Quotes:
Shared Space:
8.11 While we consider CIHT and DPTAC’s recommendations and how to take them
forward, we are requesting that local authorities pause any shared space schemes
incorporating a level surface they are considering, and which are at the design stage.
We are also temporarily suspending Local Transport Note 1/11. This pause will allow
us to carry out research and produce updated guidance.Objectives regarding Cycling:
• Update Local Transport Note 2/08, which sets out the Department’s guidance to
local authorities on designing safe and inclusive infrastructure for cyclists, to take
account of developments in cycling infrastructure since its publication in 2008 and
the responses to the draft AAP consultation and publish a revised version by early
2019;
• By 2020, explore the feasibility of amending legislation to recognise the use of
cycles as a mobility aid71 in order to increase the number of disabled people
cycling. -
Inappropriate hard segregation of cyclists at junction
There are short, narrow kerb separated cycle lanes on the approach to the roundabout at Gateshead Interchange.
The primary desire line for Southbound cyclists is along cycle route 725 straight across the junction.
The cyclelanes bypass the small roundabout forcing cyclists to cross each leg in a similar manner to pedestrians.
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City Centre Infrastructure - General
On the 5th September NewCycling will be holding a city centre infrastructure safari at 10am looking at infrastructure within the area.
Full details are here: http://newcycling.org/event/city-centre-in…ari-cycle-ride/
If there are any specific issues you are aware of please discuss them below, if discussed before the event, they will be considered for discussion during the safari.
This can also be used to discuss city centre infrastructure for those who cannot attend the event.
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Heaton Road council scheme
Council is planning changes on parts of Heaton Road
http://www.newcastle.gov.uk/parking-roads-and-transport/cycling/strategic-cycle-routes/improvements-heaton-roadDiscuss your thoughts and ideas here!
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City centre - road designations
The (draft / emerging) 1Core Strategy seems to hint at a bus loop (Policy UC7) and a motor vehicle "ring road" (Policy UC9) too. It mentions pedestrian routes but there's no mention of cycle routes. See attached photo. (I didn't mark up the map, as it might become a tad too messy)
The "ring road" is just like Scott / esde84 described before http://newcycling.org/space4cycling/part2 (in comments)
The photo in the attachment is from "Newcastle Proposals Map" listed here http://onecorestrategyng-consult.limehouse.co.uk/portal/examination_library (not sure how long thi link will stay live, link rot may happen)
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Tyne - No good crossing available
Despite the number of bridges that link Newcastle and Gateshead, there is not a single route across the Tyne that throws bike users in to conflict with either high volumes of motor vehicles at high speeds or that uses shared paths that create potential conflict with pedestrians.
Due to the amount of people who already cycle between Newcastle and Gateshead and the potential for this to grow, there should be at least one high level crossing that gives bike users there own space when crossing the Tyne.
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Grey Street
Redesign of Grey Street to remove the danger of cars reversing (blind) out parking bays into middle of the road.
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Pilgrim Street - close to motor traffic
Superfluous to entry by motor traffic. East Pilgrim Street re-development takes note of that, and arranges Swan House roundabout accordingly
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Tankerville Terrace - our design
Remove council's paid car parking (not well used anyhow) whilst retaining residents car parking on the east side, turn car parking space into two-way cycleway. The road might be turned into a one-way, or better still 'residents only' street
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John Dobson Street - our design
Space for cycling, two-way cycleway, kerb protected
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Great North Road / Broadway - our design
Set aside space for cycling, and protect it by using a kerb. The road is busy as fast, and cycling requires dedicated space.
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Great North Road / Harewood Road - our design
Necking-down for slower turning speeds and better pedestrian desire lines, clear marking of cycle ways, zebra crossing giving pedestrians priority over turning traffic
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Salters Road / Curch Road design
This re-design (incl re-alignment) is a pure 1960s motorway scheme. Very disappointing.
Pedestrians and cyclists are virtually NOT considered here.
http://newcycling.org/sites/default/files/105_salters_church.pdf
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Regent Farm Road / Christon Road design
Some rejigging
There some flaws in the design. Pedstrian desire lines are ignored leading to staggered / staged crossings. The whole design does not do much for the public realm in general and the area remains an 'urban motorway'.
The cycle lanes (width unknown) are an inadequate separation for the volume/speed of traffic and not even elephant footprints across to guide cyclists across the wide opening of the Regent bus stop entry have been included.
Regent Farm Road entry should be closed down.
We do not hold out much hope for the traffic light phasing. They will likely to be conventional highway design too.
Plan is downloadable here
http://newcycling.org/sites/default/files/104_regent_christon.pdf -
Hollywood Avenue design
Major re-design
There are many flaws in this conventional highway road design. Pedestrian desire lines are disregarded. No cycle-specific light phasing has been included it seems. ASL are a token effort. No elephant footporints. But the biggest mistake is to keep the left-turn filter. It really puts cyclists directly at risk and in conflict with drivers - we urge council to remove that filter.
There also is a new right-turn lane into Knightsbridge which puts cyclists at risk of turning drivers. The entrance to Knightsbridge should also be necked-down for pedestrian and cyclist safety and comfort.
Plan is downloadable here
http://newcycling.org/sites/default/files/103_hollywood_pale_.pdf -
Park Avenue / Harewood Road design
Some re-adjustments. Includes cycle space and necking-down on Park Avenue are good.
Not so good is inconsistency in the cycle infrastructure design, and disregard to pedestrian desire lines over Park Avenue (which could be rectified by moving the raised table), and no necking-down of Harewood Road.
Plan is downloadable here
http://newcycling.org/sites/default/files/102_park_harewood.pdf -
Broadway design
Large scale re-design.
Looks okay, even quite innovative, some design clarificaitons are needed re: turning speeds / neckdowns, separation types, transitions
Plan is downloadable here http://newcycling.org/sites/default/files/101_broadway.pdf
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SCR 7 - Walker
This is one of the seven routes called Strategic Cycle Routes or SCR where Newcastle City Council wants to drastrically improve cycling experience, to increase cycling level six-fold across the city.
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SCR 6 - Benfield
This is one of the seven routes called Strategic Cycle Routes or SCR where Newcastle City Council wants to drastrically improve cycling experience, to increase cycling level six-fold across the city.
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SCR 5 - Longbenton
This is one of the seven routes called Strategic Cycle Routes or SCR where Newcastle City Council wants to drastrically improve cycling experience, to increase cycling level six-fold across the city.
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SCR 4 - Gosforth
This is one of the seven routes called Strategic Cycle Routes or SCR where Newcastle City Council wants to drastrically improve cycling experience, to increase cycling level six-fold across the city.
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SCR 3 - Great Park
This is one of the seven routes called Strategic Cycle Routes or SCR where Newcastle City Council wants to drastrically improve cycling experience, to increase cycling level six-fold across the city.
This map shows all issues, whether points, routes, or areas:
The most popular issues, based on the number of votes:
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Grey Street
Redesign of Grey Street to remove the danger of cars reversing (blind) out parking bays into middle of the road.
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Cycle contraflow
This is one of the prime candidate for a cycle contraflow in Newcastle City Centre. Currently one way for all traffic from Percy Street to Strawberry place. Allowing cyclists down from Strawberry Place to Percy Street would improve permeability and connectivity for cyclists. Note: not a lot of traffic, space not an issue, short uphill section so speeding not an issue.
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Tyne - No good crossing available
Despite the number of bridges that link Newcastle and Gateshead, there is not a single route across the Tyne that throws bike users in to conflict with either high volumes of motor vehicles at high speeds or that uses shared paths that create potential conflict with pedestrians.
Due to the amount of people who already cycle between Newcastle and Gateshead and the potential for this to grow, there should be at least one high level crossing that gives bike users there own space when crossing the Tyne.
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City centre - road designations
The (draft / emerging) 1Core Strategy seems to hint at a bus loop (Policy UC7) and a motor vehicle "ring road" (Policy UC9) too. It mentions pedestrian routes but there's no mention of cycle routes. See attached photo. (I didn't mark up the map, as it might become a tad too messy)
The "ring road" is just like Scott / esde84 described before http://newcycling.org/space4cycling/part2 (in comments)
The photo in the attachment is from "Newcastle Proposals Map" listed here http://onecorestrategyng-consult.limehouse.co.uk/portal/examination_library (not sure how long thi link will stay live, link rot may happen)
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Ilford Road / Rectory Drive - inconsiderate driving
It's a route to school and a natural route for Gosforth residents to walk and cycle into the city centre. Yet it's incredibly over-run by inconsiderate drivers, speeding and blighted by pavement parking. It's 20mph but due to its rat-run nature feels like a motorway thorough-fare. There are blind spots at the metro bridge crossings either end which are dangerous to navigate too. Drivers turning into Ilford / Rectory are also cutting corner, so you'd find a situation of an oncoming cars in your traffic lane.
Newcastle City Council have said there's nothing they can do. I don't believe that to be true. I think they are putting drivers needs before the needs of people walking and cycling.
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Pilgrim Street - close to motor traffic
Superfluous to entry by motor traffic. East Pilgrim Street re-development takes note of that, and arranges Swan House roundabout accordingly