Displaying items by tag: cycle

The greatly discussed covid cycle lane or AKA wands of change AKA traffic jam creator was the subject of another FOI asking for a report on the safety review and consultation before removal . Here is an extract of the report with the most interesting areas highlighted. You can download the full reports and the unsafe/not fit for use sections at the end.

Due to the limited time available as set out in the grant conditions, it was not possible to undertake wider public consultation. The Traffic Management Act 2004 has been specifically amended to enable swift implementation of these emergency works. Consequently, consultation was limited to key stakeholders including, West Sussex and District/Borough Council Members; emergency services; bus operators; Freight Services and key WSCC Officers. It was expected that District and Borough Officers would undertake the necessary internal consultation with their own Members.

1.3 - F&RS, SECAMB and Police Consultation

We remain in regular contact with all three emergency services and are closely monitoring the impact on blue light services. Sussex Police have reported one incident where they were unable to pursue a blue light call due to Pop Up Scheme congestion in Chichester, when a suspect continued by foot from a moving vehicle.

Chichester showcase protected c19 cycle lane is being built to go from the railway station to the Hospital. Despite the route it is taking is not the most direct route, nor is it the favoured route, nor one that people would consider taking. The council have decided that with their share of the Covid funding they would build this route.

So far they have apparently only done the College Lane/Oaklands/New Park road end but already people can see its failed in its job.

They are using flexible wands as lane markers, but either someone in the council is a shareholder in the wand company or there was a sale on. They have used so many you cant see the wood for the trees.

Visually while driving the wands blur into each other as they make the previous 2 lane roundabout a single lane.

A few years ago there was a fatal accident in Florence Road which raised calls for a pedestrian crossing. Once the 2 crossings were built, i noticed a very odd arrangement of barriers installed to on a shared (pedestrian/cycle) path that leads up to one of those crossings. Now, my original story was going to be about desire lines and how people just go around these barriers. About how the barriers didn't make sense, and a great chance to show off a desire line demonstration video. BUT since then it has turned into an example of planning "desire" over access desire and "if no one complains it cant be wrong".
The pictures show that the views around the crossing with the barriers installed. According to the documentation these are to prevent cyclists on the shared path from colliding with people coming from behind the bush and fence.
However as the photo shows the desire line would be to the side of the barriers across the un obstructed path. If you do not want to read the FOI request documents then the emails of note:

Chichester is one of the smallest cities, with one of the highest tourist rates, and apparently a non existent budget for road maintenance.

it has a glorious cycle route called the Centurian way that skirts the city from the Fishbourne edge all the way to west dean. however some of the access to it is by 1990s design [naff] award winning entrances.

its main downfall is it city center velo route.

chichester supposedly supports cycling, but like the trike demonstrates above doesnt quite get it. 

Following on from the Fringe Festival in Brighton and Hove comments that have seen calls for his resignation

it has now been added to by the continaul parking abuse by his team. Previously they parked for hours on a loding bay outisde their offices. Now they are parking on a cyle path, by removing a post or two

 Deliveroo are not a company that delivers marsupial meats as believed by Paul O'Grady

Using a fleet of cyclists and moped riders who are all self employed or freelance, the company delivers take away meals from restaurants.

It seems like a great deal for the cyclist who want to be paid to get fit or to do the sports and hobbies I love all the 16 and 17 year olds to earn their first major bit of pocket money

However