Florence Road, desire lines, speeding cyclists and the fatality.
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:
maybe we care a little bit, but not much
For those following my mini drama series on Network Rail may like to know the latest follow up.
After their last email i responded:
Response By CSS Web (02/11/2019 12.19 AM)
QuestionReference # xxxxxxx your answer is pure drivel and irrelevant to the question.
Just about summed it up. At this weekends closure I took a picture of the station crossing, nearest the care homes etc to demonstrate what people were faced with.
Still couldnt care less!
Recently you may have read my article on how Network Rail couldnt care less.
After nearly a week with the "ticket" reopened i have had a response
|
Couldn't Care less?
Network Rail is undergoing major refreshing of track and signals in the Barnham to Havant area https://www.networkrail.co.uk/running-the-railway/our-routes/sussex/upgrading-the-brighton-main-line/barnham-to-havant-improvement-works/ . Part of this work involves the closure of 2 major level crossing (Stockbridge Road and Basin Road) at the same time to both traffic and pedestrians. The only way to cross the line is to use the footbridge.
So therefore I realised that any Motability scooter, wheelchair or any other person unable to cross the footbridge would need an alternative route.
So i asked Network Rail
"
@networkrailwith the closure of both level crossings at #chichesterthis and next weekends to both vehicles and pedestrians, and with only the footbridge open, how are you maintaining #accessforall#,#Disability #wheelchairs"
Tick or treat posters and advice
Follow these tips to help keep everyone happy and safe this Halloween
If you have teenagers:
•Make sure they don’t have access to fireworks, alcohol, eggs or flour
.• Explain why they must not play tricks on strangers
.• Tell them that if nobody answers the door, or a ‘No trick or treat’ sign is on display, they must leave immediately
.• Remind them to stay with their friends and make sure they know that they should never enter the home of a stranger.
West Sussex do not routinely undertake bus stop assessments!
Following a recent FOI request it was discovered that West Sussex have not undertaken risk asessments for bus stops in years!
We asked some really simple questions and the results were shocking. Apparently they also work from a DRAFT copy of a manual instead of a final copy. So i suggest you all go and request a full risk asessment of your local bus stop now!
1. A list of any safety audits relating to bus stops and their locations
within the Chichester, Bognor, Tangmere, Pagham areas. This should include
the dates and result.
West Sussex Concessionary cards
There are currently 164,747 live English National Concessionary
Travel Scheme bus pass concessions on issue (of which 154,514 are older
person and 10,233 are disabled person)
The number of passes reported as lost/stolen in the year April 2018 - April
2019 is 2458
Are birthdays over rated?
As some of you know, i hate the over commercial "days" such as mothers day or fathers day or secretary day etc. This also extends to having a bad memory for birthdays and yes, it is well known that i don't do 25th December in the way most people do. The later mainly spring from my work and personal life in my formative years.
More...
Midhurst Bridge. Twinned with Patcham Treacle mine & Wigan Pier
I came, I saw, I ducked.
Recently i was introduced to the lesser known Midhurst Bridge. Every one knows it has a tunnel remaining from the Chichester to Midhurst (or vice versa) railway and is currently full of bats and terminates at Holmbush.
The bridge is one of those awesome sights that is best viewed when the wind is right and the sun is in a parabolic eclipse. The Highways department know exactly where it is as can be seen from their regulation road sign as you approach its last known location.
Salthill Lodge just off Centurian Way is a lovely little find.
