Narrow cycle lanes on Norwich Road, Ipswich
The cycle lane on Norwich Road is exceptionally narrow and not fit for purpose. Can't even fit a bike in it.
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Listed issues, most recent first, limited to the area of Cycle Ipswich:
Created by Shaun McDonald // 1 thread
The cycle lane on Norwich Road is exceptionally narrow and not fit for purpose. Can't even fit a bike in it.
Created by Shaun McDonald // 1 thread
Ipswich Borough Council are currently consulting on the Cycling Supplementary Planning Document (SPD), and are in the early Call for Ideas stage.
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Cycling Strategy Supplementary Planning Document – Call for Ideas
The Council is preparing a Cycling Strategy Supplementary Planning Document (SPD), as set out in its Local Development Scheme (8th Edition, September 2014). The SPD will provide additional guidance to policies contained in the Ipswich Local Plan (currently the
Core Strategy and Policies development plan document 2011 and remaining saved policies of the Ipswich Local Plan 1997). Further information on the Local Plan can be found at www.ipswich.gov.uk/localplan. The SPD will not set new policies but will be a material consideration in taking decisions on planning applications. The Council has already adopted a number of SPDs which can be found at www.ipswich.gov.uk/content/current-and- proposed-supplementary-planning-documents.
The scope of the Cycling Strategy SPD relates to providing guidance on the provision of cycling infrastructure as part of new development and will also provide an opportunity to identify potential wider improvements to cycling infrastructure across the Borough. Cycling infrastructure in this respect not only relates to places where people cycle but also to provision for parking and storing cycles.
At this stage we are asking for ideas on what the SPD should contain. This consultation is being carried out under Regulation 12 of the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012. Following this initial Call for Ideas consultation, there will be a public consultation on the draft SPD which is anticipated to take place during Autumn 2015.
We would appreciate any ideas you may have on the content of the SPD – the questions below may act as useful prompts.
What measures should be taken to encourage cycling in and around new developments?
What measures should be taken to encourage cycling throughout the Borough?
Are you aware of any particular issues which would currently act to discourage
cycling in the Borough?
Please send us any comments by 11:45pm on Monday 17th August 2015. A comments form is available on our website at www.ipswich.gov.uk/consultations. If you would like further information, please contact Felicia Blake on 01473 432019.
As part of the production of the SPD the Council is also looking for school / college pupils’ and their parents’ views on cycling to school – a short online survey is available at www.ipswich.gov.uk/consultations.
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From https://www.ipswich.gov.uk/sites/default/files/cycling_strategy_spd_call_for_ideas_-_june_2015.pdf
Created by Jon_B // 0 threads
There are currently (29/06/15) temporary 3 way traffic lights in place at the junction where Rope Walk meets St Helen's Street.
This is normally a really painful junction for people cycling from Rope Walks onto St Helens Street at busy times with long waits for a gap in traffic and bad sight lines, particularly where west-bound traffic backs up leaving a gap at the yellow box junction so that people cycling have to venture out halfway across the road to see if there is any traffic coming east-bound.
The lights make this considerably easier and would be worth considering as a permanent signal.
Created by Shaun McDonald // 1 thread
There is a footpath linking London Road to Columbine Gardens and Lupin Road, which has a series of barriers. Removing the barriers, ensuring there are dropped kerbs are on Columbine Gardens and Cowslip Close. Signs need to be added to sign post the route to the town centre, London Road, and appropriate other places.
This would mean that there would be direct link from Chantry on to London Road and into town along a potentially safer route than Gippeswk Avenue/Birkfield Drive.
Created by Shaun McDonald // 0 threads
Discharge of condition 3 of planning permission IP/15/00088/FUL relating to cycle and refuse storage. 17 - 19 Museum Street Ipswich Suffolk IP1 1HE
https://ppc.ipswich.gov.uk/appndetails.asp?iAppID=15/00370/CON
Ipswich Application reference: 15/00370/CON === Need to check that the cycle parking plans are good.
Created by Kevin Ablitt // 1 thread
During the refurbishment of St Mary at the Quay this section of road has been closed. The sky has not fallen on us and neither has traffic ground to ( any more ) of a standstill. In my opinion it should stay closed to MVs and just be segregated for bikes and peds.
Created by Shaun McDonald // 0 threads
Application by Ipswich Borough Council for creation of skate park facility including ancillary external works - earth works, footpaths, fencing and street furniture.
Recreation Ground White House Road Ipswich Suffolk
Ipswich
Application reference: 15/00307/FPI3
Created by Shaun McDonald // 0 threads
Change of use from offices (B1) to 7 no. flats (C3) with associated parking and amenity space.
19 - 23 Fore Street Ipswich Suffolk IP4 1JW
Ipswich
Application reference: 15/00238/LBC
Created by Kevin Ablitt // 1 thread
It is a constant problem that car drivers think it is acceptable to park in this particular spot.
The single yellow needs upgrading to double yellow lines ( is this enforced anyway ) OR we need hard infrastruture design which prevents such selfish behaviour.
Created by Ian Seeley // 0 threads
There is a tree stump about 3 feet high on the cycle track. It's particularly difficult to see at night when travelling east bound and should be completely removed and the cycle track resurfaced.
The surface of the cycle path, which is also National Cycle Route 1 through Bourne Park is of an extremely poor quality. This really needs to have a smooth tarmac surface, and potentially widened.
I would expect kids to be learning to ride a bike along here, however that's not currently possible as its' touch going for an adult to cycle here never mind a child who is just learning to cycle. If this path is upgraded it would be even better if the surfacing was extended to create a circle around the park which is reasonably smooth, so that people can learn to cycle by cycling around this park.
Created by Shaun McDonald // 2 threads
Suffolk County Council have put forward some plans for changes to Mulberry Corner, which Cycle Ipswich don't believe will help cycling.
Created by Shaun McDonald // 1 thread
Dove Street is currently one way. It would be useful if it could be made 2 way for cycling for peopl coming from St Helen's Primary School to NCN 1.
The left turn from St Helens Street into Dove Street is much easier than a right turn from St Helens Street into Regent Street, as you don't have to block a lane of traffic and hope for a gap in the traffic in the opposite direction, especially with kids. It's also a shorter route when heading towards the town centre.
Created by Shaun McDonald // 1 thread
DfT are running a consultation about the East Anglia rail franchise, which will be used for the specification which will be put to bidders in summer 2015 for the start of the next franchise in October 2016.
https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/east-anglia-rail-passenger-franchise
Created by Jon_B // 0 threads
There is a marked ASL at the North End of Upper Orwell Street with a marked cycle lane leading up to it.
However, this end of Upper Orwell Street is very narrow and traffic turning left into it from St Helens Street at an acute angle often swings wide encroaching into the ASL. Very large vehicles making this turn would probably have no choice but to do so.
This makes the ASL a dangerous area for cyclists and I would generally avoid using it.
The junction either needs to be revised to avoid this issue and protect cyclists waiting in the ASL or a one-way motors / 2 way cycling system considered.
Created by Jon_B // 0 threads
Suffolk County Council are proposing a blanket 20mph zone in this area.
Consultation proposal documents are at:- http://www.suffolk.gov.uk/your-council/decision-making/consultations/consultation-on-whitton-and-castle-hill-20mph-speed-limit-proposal/
Cycle Ipswich response (currently in draft):- https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Itk7qCLrdPB3nV5OPjwbszpG42uACzisIjZtjpfbiQI/edit?usp=sharing
Created by Kevin Ablitt // 1 thread
Twice in the past week I have been cycling up St Johns to make a rh turn onto Cauldwell Hall and nearly been taken out by a driver taking the corner too fast as they travel north bound along Cauldwell Hall and turn down St Johns Rd.
The problems are too fast traffic on Cauldwell Hall and poor design at that junction , need an island to separate traffic.
Created by Kevin Ablitt // 0 threads
Recently a cyclist was knocked off here while trying to turn right out of Constantine Road . The car driver took the corner without obeying the white line markers. Needs hard infrastructure changes .
Created by Jon_B // 1 thread
This route is the current North-South route through Christchurch Park, but fails to realise its full potential for cyclists as it is not properly lit and is perceived as dangerous to use at night as it is secluded.
It also suffers from a poor surface and can be dangerously slippy due to fallen leaves, leaf mould etc.
The route needs to be upgraded by cutting back foliage to improve sight lines and reduce the "seclusion", resurfacing and proper lighting along with regular sweeping and maintenance. CCTV coverage would also improve the perception of safety.
The junctions at either end also need to be revised to ensure that cyclists can safely and easily access the route from Park Road and Foneraux Road.
We would also suggest that a new link to the main Park entrance on Park Road could be created inside the existing perimeter of the park, but fenced off so that it could be available for 24 hour access whilst the park is closed.
This would link with the Avenue which, when adopted and resurfaced, could provide a useful continuation, particularly if closed to through motor traffic.
Created by Kevin Ablitt // 0 threads
From the picture ( https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@52.0377162,1.2020237,3a,75y,344.67h,90.27t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1s3qD7ifQ-yxT6s-syDxhktQ!2e0?hl=en ) you can see just how wide the road is. It is like this all the way from St Augustines r/bout all the way to Seven Hills . Look at the picture, the white van is moving but it barely fills half of the eastbound lane. Look at the west bound mandatory cycle lane - as usual has cars in it . The cycle lane is also very rough, much smoother to ride on the white paint !
I believe that we could have a high quality cycle facility in both directions .
The existing cycle route is better than nothing especially as it is mandatory but there is no enforcement against parking in the cycle lane, there are pinch points and the road space is ready for reallocation.
Created by Jon_B // 0 threads
The off-road cycle route between Woodbridge Road and Spring Road leads from the end of St Anthony's Crescent through to Trafalgar Close and could potentially be a useful link between these two roads, which are short of pleasant and safe link routes for cyclists.
However, the route is beset by at least 4 sets of barriers which are two narrow to ride through with a cargo bike, tricycle, bakfiets, hand-bike or similar. They do have a higher barrier which you can push a bike under, but this requires 4 dismounts which makes this totally impracticable as a cycle route and the barriers are still too low to pass under with a child in a bike seat.
It is clear from parallel tracks through the woods that a lot of cyclists simply bypass these barriers, but I can't see any possible reason why these are needed and why access control can't be provided by a set of sensibly spaced bollards. I presume the intention is to keep motor cycles off the route, but this seems like total overkill and in any event they could simply bypass the barriers if determined to do so.
There is no justification whatever for having 4 sets - surely if there is an effective barrier at each end then the middle ones are entirely pointless.
It appears to me that whichever authority is responsible for this route have failed to consider their duty to disabled users of the route (including disabled cyclists) as well as ignoring cargo bike users and cyclists with children.
These barriers should be removed and replaced with more conventional bollards to prevent vehicle access (and could then presumably be lifted out to allow vehicles which are required for maintenance etc.).
Created by Jon_B // 0 threads
The area on the south side of the junction of Elm Street and Museum Street currently houses two decrepit benches, but could more usefully be utilised for cycle parking.
There are a number of businesses clustered around this area (including the large new "MyGo" youth employment centre) which could benefit from customers having access to cycle parking rather than having to go up to Queens Street.
Created by Jon_B // 0 threads
Cycle parking (ideally on-carriageway replacing an existing car parking space) should be provided on Cobbold Street to facilitate parents transporting children to St Margarets CEVAP school by bike. Existing cycle parking within the school grounds does not really make sense for this purpose as it requires cycles to be wheeled in and out of the site which is impracticable and could give rise to health and safety issues.
There seems to be no sensible or convenient cycle route to access Fore Street pools cycle parking from the North as Fore Street appears to be one way for vehicles and cycles and the only other route from Lower Orwell Street is a circuit of the whole Star Lane / Fore Street Gyratory.
This section of Fore Street should be made two way for cycles. As it is only a short stretch and there is plenty of pavement space this might be an appropriate application for shared use on the pavement provided it is properly signed and marked.
Created by Andrea // 1 thread
Remove left-turn priority filter: if you want to cycle to the station from Stoke Park Drive, you currently get a lot of stress from drivers honking at you from behind
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Created by Shaun McDonald // 1 thread
There is a loading bay in the cycle contraflow cycle lane, which means that the cycle lane is blocked for cyclists as soon as a vehicle is parked there. This means that cyclists have to pull out into the path of oncoming buses, thus making the NCN route unsuitable to young children or inexperienced cyclists.
Created by Alex Oldman // 1 thread
Disused railway tracks on St Peters Dock provide short section of road surface that is dangerous to traverse from East to West by bike.
If you are avoiding crossing the tracks then you are forced into oncoming traffic.
If you cross the tracks, you are then potentially trapped between parked cars and the railway tracks, which can be dangerous.
The tracks are very slippery when wet or icy, and sections are often hidden underwater because there is poor drainage after heavy rain.
Ideally the tracks are totally removed, or the surface covered with concrete or tarmac.
Created by Kevin Ablitt // 1 thread
Motorised vehicles currently use the rat run through Milner Street to avoid the fraffic lights at Grove Lane/ St Helens St.
This is part of NCN 41 , any extra traffic passing through here detracts from the cycling experience and is negative for residents.
Cyclist comments are needed now !
Created by Shaun McDonald // 1 thread
St Peter's Dock on the National Cycle Route 51 just north of Stoke Bridge has a really poor surface which collects water, also the old rails that are no longer used and no longer connect to the rest of the rail network are a hazard for cyclists and ideally should be removed.
Created by Shaun McDonald // 1 thread
Improving the connectivity from Bourne Hill over the A14 to Wherestead with dropped kerbs, allowing cycling and signing as a cycle route would be a step in the process to improving cycle access south from Ipswich to various places including Jimmy's Farm (a family leisure venue, which should be cycleable to by a family with young children), Shotley Peninsula, and the land route to Harwich International ferry port for cycling to The Netherlands.
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.
Created by Shaun McDonald // 0 threads
The traffic lights at Eagle Street were timed such that travelling eastbound you would always get caught at the second set unless you were extremely fast setting off. After discussions with the council and it brought up at the Sustainability Forum by Cllr Smart, it was fixed to increase the length of time that those lights were green, and was great as you always knew you could get through the second set of lights without having to wait unless you just went through the earlier ones just before they went red.
However over the past few days the signal timing has changed back to the older timing where the probability of getting through the second set is virtually nil. In an ideal world they would be phased such that the first set would go green, then the second set would go green several seconds later at the point where you would be arriving at them, rather than having them change to green almost at the same time.
Created by Shaun McDonald // 0 threads
The entrance to Dock Street should be turned into a continuous footway with pedestrian and cyclist priority over turning vehicles akin to this Danish junction: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QcnmLU1ClTo
This would improve sight lines for pedestrians too as the dropped kerbs are away from the junction, and it would also go with the pedestrian desire line as many tend to cross closer to the junction than the dropped kerbs. It would also slow down the vehicles entering the narrow street.
Created by Kevin Ablitt // 1 thread
It is a constant problem that car drivers think it is acceptable to park in this particular spot.
The single yellow needs upgrading to double yellow lines ( is this enforced anyway ) OR we need hard infrastruture design which prevents such selfish behaviour.
Created by Ned Harrison // 1 thread
Holywells Park has a section of cycle route 51 running through it, linking South East Ipswich to the centre with a pleasant and safe route down to the waterfront.
During Winter, the park is closed at dusk, sometimes as early as 4, meaning that just when the roads are most dangerous (dark and wet) cyclists are forced onto steep and busy routes either along Cliff Lane or up Bishops Hill.
The closures are largely at the request of the Park Friends group. I've spoken to them, and their concerns seem to be largely about what might go on after dark. It's not clear that there is any evidence for this, nor that the current situation of locking the main gates but leaving others would do anything to deter misbehaviour.
Keeping it open as a cycle route would ensure a legitimate presence in the park, and help provide less confident cyclists in the area with a safe route to and from town.
I'd propose either locking later, or for a trial period leaving the park unlocked.
Created by Shaun McDonald // 4 threads
The Shotley Peninsula Cycle Campaign have plans for a dedicated cycle path from the edge of Ipswich to Shotley. http://www.spcc.info/News%20and%20Projects.html
Upgrades are needed from Ipswich town centre to the new cycle track.
Created by Shaun McDonald // 1 thread
Dove Street is currently one way. It would be useful if it could be made 2 way for cycling for peopl coming from St Helen's Primary School to NCN 1.
The left turn from St Helens Street into Dove Street is much easier than a right turn from St Helens Street into Regent Street, as you don't have to block a lane of traffic and hope for a gap in the traffic in the opposite direction, especially with kids. It's also a shorter route when heading towards the town centre.
Created by Andrea // 3 threads
In Museum Street and Upper Brook Street/Northgate Street it is very dangerous to cycle. Both roads are very narrow, have lots of buses pass through and there are contraflow cycle paths. On those you are very close to the buses (both directions) even if you wait on the pavements to let them through because you are worried about accidents. Can cyclepaths go through Elm Street, Tower Street or Tower Rampart instead?
Created by Shaun McDonald // 0 threads
There is currently a bit of a conflict between pedestrians and cyclists around Stoke Bridge, between St Peter's Street and Dock Street, where there is the legalised pavement cycling.
To resolve this I would propose removing a lane of traffic (which is only needed for a very short time at peak times, and a small modal shift through improved infrastructure would resolve any congestion issues) and giving that lane to cyclists in a segregated fashion.
Created by Shaun McDonald // 1 thread
Many cyclists won't cycle to Harwich International from the Ipswich direction due to the roads. There really should be a high quality cycle route for this to continue the cycle journey from The Netherlands, where you can ride of the ferry and on to quality cycle infrastructure. The fact people choose the train is not a good sign.
This issue is the overall goal, and needs to be broken down into smaller sub issues of smaller more specific projects or improvements that can work towards this goal.
Created by Shaun McDonald // 0 threads
The traffic lights don't detect cyclists, thus you potentially have to wait ages until a car comes up behind you.
Created by Shaun McDonald // 0 threads
The cycle lanes through Trimley stop for each traffic island rather than continuing thus causing a dangerous pinch point for cyclists on the National Cycle Route 51.
Created by Andrea Bredel // 1 thread
this is one of many cycle lanes here in Ipswich that go on and off the road several times. This is very awkward for cyclists as they need to be very careful when getting back onto the road and most probably confuses drivers as well.
Created by Shaun McDonald // 0 threads
The cycle track on the pavement just suddenly stops with no where to go other than to cycle on the pavement. Surely it would be better to nicely guide cyclists back onto the road into a cycle lane?
Created by Shaun McDonald // 2 threads
When cycling west bound from Rope Walk into Eagle Street through the cycle filter (where cyclists are unaffected by the traffic signals except giving way to the traffic from the left), the width between the bollard and the kerb and the sudden left movement required make the travel through the junction more difficult especially when using bikes with trailers, cargo bikes. Ordinary bike users also find it difficult to use and will avoid it instead.
Created by Shaun McDonald // 0 threads
Further to http://www.cyclescape.org/issues/928-paper-mill-lane-alterations-planning-application I think it would be useful to campaign for a cycle and walking link from the site through to the retail park with major supermarket and other amenities, and also other links to that western part of Ipswich.
In my quick skim through the planning application I've not seen any consideration to this route.
Created by Shaun McDonald // 1 thread
The roundabout at the south end of Claydon under the A14 is pretty horrible for pedestrians and cyclists. It would be extremely useful if this could be upgraded to a Dutch style roundabout with:
* tighter entrances and exits will slow down vehicles to a safer speed while cyclists and pedestrians are around. The current dimensions are only ok when there are no cyclists or pedestrians around and it's safe for motors to go fast.
* single lane entrances and exit will make is easier to cross each arm. There would be no zig zag in the island.
* cycle track with separate pavement for pedestrians outside the roundabout, thus preventing conflict between the 3 modes of transport.
* cycle track crossing at 90 degrees to the road to aid visibility between different modes of transport.
Created by Shaun McDonald // 1 thread
Planning application: http://planningpages.midsuffolk.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=summary&keyVal=_MSUFF_DCAPR_92778
There are concerns about no or too little improvements for walking and cycling along Paper Mill Lane with the increase in traffic caused by the development.
Created by Caroline Page // 1 thread
Significant domestic car parking in the advisory cycle lane of westbound lane combines with heavy traffic jams to obstruct/block westbound passage to cyclists in rush hour. Generally there is a section of this route where pavement pushing is unavoidable
Created by Shaun McDonald // 1 thread
This is a signed cycle route from Capel St Mary into Ipswich. It used to be the A12 into Ipswich. Now it's a 50 mph dual carriageway, with little traffic due to minimal access. It would be easy to bring it down to one lane each way, and give the other lane over to cyclists with safe segregation and a wide path. Also on the south end a better link and also signage southbound to Capel St Mary and other places further south is needed.