The Most Dangerous Roads for Cyclists in Nottingham – What You Told Us

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We would like to thank everyone who responded to our recent survey, each giving us up to 3 locations in Greater Nottingham which they find particularly dangerous to use as cyclists.

Within 2 weeks over 150 responses were received, mainly from Pedals members, followed by readers of the Nottingham Post and West Bridgford Wire, and via @leftlion on Twitter. The 150 respondents collectively identified 54 danger points in total. Of these, 17 blackspots were mentioned at least 10 times. The 10 Most Dangerous areas were found to be:

  1. Trent Bridge
  2. Mansfield Road
  3. West Bridgford (many danger points)
  4. Broadmarsh, Canal St, Collin St area
  5. London Road (BBC rdbt to Trent Bridge)
  6. Lady Bay Bridge
  7. Lower Parliament St/ BBC Island
  8. Northern sections of Ring Road
  9. A610 Nuthall Road/ Alfreton Rd
  10. Any Road or cycleway shared with a tram line

A Pedals spokesperson said “Most of the people responding to the survey were clearly confident, experienced road users, using their bikes for commuting from all over the conurbation. We are alarmed at the depth of feeling expressed by many about the dangers on roads which Pedals has been seeking improvements for many years.” 

The problems most frequently cited occur when a confluence of roads forces cyclists into middle lanes squeezed by traffic on either side. These are pinch-points where vehicles deny cyclists space to switch lanes safely. This happens particularly on the southern side of Trent Bridge, at many points along Mansfield Road, and in all lanes around the Broadmarsh Car Park/Bus Station.

The survey is very much a wake-up call for Nottingham City Council and the County Council: most of the blackspots occur in locations which are not priorities in the City Cycling Ambition Plan and the south side of Trent Bridge isn’t even mentioned in the West Bridgford Cycle Network Strategy.

Pedals’ most imminent concern is the success with which cyclists needs are accommodated within the new plans for the Broadmarsh, Canal St, Collin St area.

  • Heading south on Radmarsh Rd as it crosses Derby Rd (drivers turning right across your path don't expect emerging cyclists and don't give priority resulting in fairly terrifying near misses)
  • London Road towards the BBC roundabout
  • Collin St/Canal St/Castle Blvd - The western corridor disappears just before the loop around broad marsh bus station.
  • Crossing from lady bay bridge onto meadow lane
  • Train station to West Bridgford is awful!
  • mansfield road past the forest
  • A60/a52 roundabout between west bridgford and ruddington
  • from trent bridge onto London road (into town) traversing lanes across the bridge
  • Mansfield road junction with Forest Road
  • Anywhere with a tram line
  • Junction Melton Road/Loughborough Road/Wilford Lane end of suspension bridge crossing to West Bridgford
  • Trent Bridge turning right from Radcliffe Road then having to cross over the traffic from the slip road in front of County Hall
  • A610 alfreton road bewteen intersection with gregory boulevard and aspley lane
  • Literally every junction with a "bike box" at the front, that you can't access because the road is too narrow and there are no bike lanes to get to them.
  • London road roundabout
  • Exiting the cycle superhighway in town. It just stops! Where are you supposed to go if you want to access, say, London Road end of Canal Street
  • Junction melton Road/Loughborough Rd/Wilford lane in West bridgford. Traffic in left lane on melton Rd should go left but only told this by paint on road surface which could be covered by a car.
  • A610 between ring road and phoenix park
  • Mansfield Road, between Sherwood shops and Hucknall Road junction inbound
  • London Rd & Crossing Trent Bridge in either direction
  • Loughborough Rd, Wilford Rd, Melton Rd junction. Particularly bad when approaching from Wilford Suspension Bridge - a major cycling route.
  • A60 Nottingham Knight Roundabout
  • The roundabout where the A606 Melton road crosses the A52
  • Ladybay bridge junction with meadow lane
  • Davies Road, West Bridgford - the horrendous bike path exit at the Radcliffe Road end and so many close passes in the morning because of the parked cars and people using it as a rat run
  • Machine Mart Corner
  • Castle Blvd/Castle Bridge Rd junction - heading west on Castle Blvd the lights go green for going straight (cars and cyclists) but stay red for turning left onto Castle Bridge Rd
  • Trent Bridge/London Road - Trent Bridge is horrible to cross on bike, but is the most direct route for most of west Bridgford. It's six-lanes wide, one of these should be converted into a cycle track, all the way into the city.
  • Newly created pedestrian island and right hand turning into new Llidl on carlton hill road leading to loss of cycle and bus lane - compressing the traffic into 1 lane
  • A60 Trent Bridge crossing from the West Bridgford side over towards the city. There's a merging lane of traffic coming from the left which cyclists must cross in order to get to the left hand lane.
  • Access to Phoenix Park from A610 westbound
  • Radcliffle Rd East bound from Trent Bridge to Regatta Way Junction
  • Canal Street / Collin Street

Growing menace of taxi abuse on Queen’s Bridge Road cycle route

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Pedals is well aware of the increasing problem of abuse by taxi drivers with the Queen’s Bridge Road cycle route and we are pressing the City Council for urgent action to address it. We are also are very concerned about the poorly designed new taxi feeder lane (especially as we were not consulted on the plans) which may well make this an ongoing problem without the City Council modifying the layout and taking the dangers of increased conflict between cyclists and taxi drivers much more seriously!

To help tackle this menace it would be very helpful please for people to send details of continuing problems, including the number plates of taxis obstructing cyclists, to the City Council. Please send details to John Bann: john.bann@nottinghamcity.gov.uk Photos and video footage would also help them to take appropriate action.

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Sustrans Bennerley Viaduct project continues to attract wider support

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Photo of the viaduct by Paul Atherley

 

UPDATE: On March 28 the Nottingham Post published a double spread article which records the growing support and enthusiasm for the Sustrans Bennerley Viaduct restoration Project.

Pedals is one of several local groups involved in the Friends of Bennerley Viaduct working with Sustrans to restore this major structure between Ilkeston and Awsworth, with a walkway /cycleway over the top and linking to both sides of the Erewash Valley Trail, etc.

The exhibition they arranged this summer about their project in the Erewash Museum in Ilkeston attracted much interest, and included a model of the restored viaduct and its new links at both ends. This model is now being shown at other local venues.

As well as continuing a wide range of efforts to encourage local interest and support Sustrans are focusing on many other elements of preparing the first part of their main funding bid, to be submitted in mid-2017 to the Heritage Lottery Fund. The HLF have already funded two part-time posts as part of this long process.

 

[Previous post on Bennerley Viaduct]

Pedals comments to Nottingham City Council Overview and Scrutiny Committee discussion on cycling on 8 March 2017

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The City Council’s Overview and Scrutiny Committee carries out regular reviews of various aspects of City Council policies and their meeting on 8 March 2017 focused on cycling and the draft new City Cycling Action Plan for the next 4 years.

In advance of the meeting Pedals was invited to submit one page of comments as a stakeholder, as were RideWise and Highways England.  Here is our submission.

Nottingham City Council Scrutiny Panel Discussion on Cycling of 8.3.17:
Comments from Pedals

Pedals welcomes the commitment to higher standards of cycling provision, as in the recently adopted Nottingham Cycling Design Guide, provided that it is kept up to date and reflects the latest developments in best practice.

The Western Cycle Corridor in general is of much higher standard, e.g. wider paths and with more cycle priority at junctions but has some more problematic areas, e.g. at Gregory Street junction, on the Abbey Street cycle path by the QMC, and some issues with the new signals at the Castle Bridge Road junction. Safer connections at the east end to and past the Broad Marsh area and to and from Nottingham Station are also vital. We much welcome the new connecting route between University Boulevard and Thane Road (Boots Enterprise Zone) including the new bridge over the railway etc.

The Eastern Cycle Corridor is also very welcome but will only achieve its full potential with more links, especially across the Island Site to and from the City Centre, Canal Street and Nottingham Station.

Southern Cycle Corridor. Much reliance on the recently built tramside paths but part of these are distinctly substandard and will need upgrading as part of a higher standard route. This route would also achieve more with wider links, e.g. to and from the proposed major new housing development S of Clifton and to and from Rushcliffe Country Park, etc. Needs close collaboration with the County Council and Rushcliffe BC, as well as Highways England.

Close collaboration with the County Council, Rushcliffe BC, and Highways England also needed on the SE side of Nottingham with improved cycle links across the Trent to serve the major new housing developments E and S of West Bridgford, e.g. our proposed new foot-cycle bridge between Trent Lane and The Hook, with upgraded and extended connections on both sides of the river, particularly extended riverside paths between Trent Bridge and Colwick Park, etc. Such a facility would provide much more attractive cycling conditions than on Trent Bridge and Lady Bay bridges, with their very serious congestion and air pollution problems, and would also to do much to help promote cycle tourism, as well as being of great appeal to walkers, especially in terms of providing much better connections between the Colwick Park, Colwick Woods and Holme Pierrepont areas, and other major leisure attractions.

Other points of increasing relevance in the future:

  • Growing concern with the very serious health effects of traffic-generated poor air pollution and the need for cycling (and walking) to be seen as part of the measures required to address this, not just cleaner buses and motor vehicles and tram route extensions.
  • Growing interest in e-bikes and their value in encouraging longer trips and cycling in hillier areas and by older people. This could do much to encourage cycling in hillier areas of the city. We would much welcome expansion of the Citycard hire bike fleet to include ebikes to help promote this new dimension of cycling.
  • Need for upgrading of many older substandard cycle facilities, e.g. narrow cycle lanes, A-frame barriers and inconspicuous bollards on off-road paths.
  • Need for all (major) transport, planning, regeneration or traffic management schemes to consider likely impact on cyclists and how cyclists might gain advantages from rather than be disadvantaged by such schemes, including any future NET extensions, especially on-road tram schemes, learning more from the detailed experience of all three existing NET lines.
  • Lower speed limits, and proper enforcement of speed limits, vital for promoting the safety of vulnerable road users, particularly cyclists and pedestrians.

Hugh McClintock, for Pedals, 23 February 2017

Photos

Western Cycle Corridor issues

Increased priority for cyclists generally welcome, as in this example on Castle Boulevard

Main concerns from feedback include:

Lack of complete segregation for cyclists at the junction of Abbey Street and Abbey Bridge with Gregory Street (1 of 2)

Lack of complete segregation for cyclists at the junction of Abbey Street and Abbey Bridge with Gregory Street (2 of 2)

The intrusive poles on the widened cycle path on the north (QMC) side of Abbey Street, just east of the Dunkirk flyover

Some issues relating to the low level lights for cyclists at the junction of Castle Boulevard with Castle Bridge Road

 

 

Proposed cycle route between University Boulevard and Thane Road

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Proposed cycle route between University Boulevard and Thane Road (click for detailed view)

Pedals generally supports this proposed cycle route between University Boulevard (near the Tennis Centre) and Thane Road (Boots). It includes a new foot-cycle bridge over the railway. Due for completion by Easter 2018.

Approximate north end point of the route

Approximate south end point of the route

Pedals response to Network Rail re. Attenborough Crossings

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Pedals sent the following response to Network Rail today:
Please find below the response by Pedals to your consultation regarding the three level crossings at Barratt’s Lane, Long Lane and Nature Reserve (Meadow Lane) as set out in your letter to local residents dated 28th November 2016.

We restrict our response to discussing the crossing at the end of Meadow Lane, Chilwell (Nature Reserve) as this, as you will know, forms part of a Bridleway connecting Meadow Lane and The Strand in Attenborough village and is therefore a legal right of way for cycling.

It is our opinion that should the level crossing be closed without replacement with a suitably ramped bridge there will be a significant detrimental effect to cycling levels and safety in the area.

The crossing is used as a commuter and leisure route by many cyclists providing as it does access to and from the Nature Reserve and links to the Big Track and Beeston Canal towpath for journeys to and from Nottingham.  Were this access to be removed it would seriously affect the journeys of people from an area far wider than the immediate neighbourhood of the crossing.  The alternative for many would be the busy A6005 Queens Road though Beeston which has no cycling provision for much of its length. The potential for serious accidents for cyclists along that route must surely be considered against the current risks posed by the crossing.

In addition to the current use of the crossing there is the potential for an additional direct route to Beeston Rylands  via Technology Drive and the flood wall running parallel to the railway. This would be an excellent active travel route between the Rylands and Chilwell School.  It would be very unfortunate if this potential were to be ruined by the loss of the ability to cross the line.

Finally, at a time when people are encouraged to seek greener routes to work and take more exercise it seems extraordinary that anything other than a bridge should even be considered for such a busy, healthy route.

RideWise Cycle Maintenance and Repair Workshops

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RideWise have announced details of their basic and advanced cycle maintenance workshops.

RideWise is a Nottingham based charity whose aim is to help and encourage as many people as possible to get on a bike and safely enjoy this wonderful form of transport. Workshops are held at The Lenton Centre, Willoughby Street, Lenton, NG7 1RQ and everyone is welcome to book a place.

They are a ‘not for profit’ organisation so charges are just enough to cover costs.

The next workshops will be –

 Sunday  24th April 2016

10.00am – 12.00pm

 Cycle set up and puncture repair.

£15 per session
 Sunday 15th May 2016

10.00am – 12.00pm 

  Brakes, cables and gears.

£15 per session
Contact Vera@ridewise.org.uk

for information on dates. 

  ADVANCED Cycle Maintenance. 

(2 workshops of 4.5 hours each, over 2 consecutive weeks)  

 

£80 in total.

Workshop Content

Cycle set up and puncture repair.

The “M” check :  an easy to remember safety check which should be done before going out on your bike and for when you are out and about, how to mend Punctures. You will find out how to locate a puncture and repair it and the importance of using the correct tyre pressures.

This session also covers getting the bike set up to fit YOU – this makes riding much more comfortable and takes very little effort. Not to be missed!!!

Brakes, cables and gears.

Brakes : you can find out what type of brake system is on your bike and how to adjust brake pads to cure a squeaky brake and replace worn brake pads.  The workshop also looks at positioning and maintenance of cables, levers, pads, etc.

Gears : This bit sounds a bit more mechanical but it’s not too technical.  The instructor will be talking about types of gear systems, how they are set up and about maintenance of levers, cables, changers, drive chain, etc.

ADVANCED MAINTENANCE

Attendees receive 8-9 hours of expert instruction to make adjustments and repairs and avoiding Bike Shop labour costs and reducing the cost of parts. As a result this course could save in excess of £80 on the items marked with a * on the list below, as compared to high street cycle shop charges.

The main topics will be some or all of the following, depending on demand:

  • Hub Gears – check/adjustment of Sturmey Archer 3 speed; Nexus 7; Alfine 9; Alfine 11.
  • Cassette –  Replacement of 8/9/10/11 speed Shimano / SRAM cassette / Campagnolo
  • Chain – correct length / replacement
  • Disc Pads – adjustment of cable operated / replacement
  • Suspension – adjustment of front and rear air suspension systems
  • Hydraulic disc brakes – bleeding.

If you have any questions, please contact Vera Cerri at RideWise:  0115 9552288

EMT open new Cycle Hub at Nottingham Station

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Why is this so poorly planned and promoted?

 

In May East Midlands Trains opened their new Cycle Hub on the south, i.e. Queen’s Road, side of Nottingham Station, but Pedals thinks that this has been very poorly planned and promoted.

Click for full image

We have now had many complaints on several issues including:

  • Very poor cycle access, especially bearing in mind that the already busy Queen’s Road will soon be taking a lot more traffic with the City Council’s plans for next year to divert most through traffic from Collin Street and Canal Street in the Broad Marsh area.
  • Very poor signing of the new facility, by the entrance, within the Station and on the main approach routes.
  • Lack of publicity on how to obtain the fobs to access the facility, on payment of the £10 fee.

We therefore arranged a meeting on 19th September to discuss these with Sarah Turner and colleagues from EMT, as well as Keith Morgan from the City Council. Peter Briggs, Hugh McClintock and Paul Abel attended from Pedals, and Adrian Juffs from Ridewise.

Comments were also made at the meeting about the poor state of the older Secure Bike Compound on the north (Station Street) side of the Station, opposite Loxley House, and accessible with a Citycard (for free). The doors often do not close properly and maintenance has been much neglected, with weeds growing everywhere, and much litter, very much giving the impression that cyclists are a second rate form of station user!

As a result of the meeting the following actions were agreed and it was also agreed to meet again in 3 months to review progress. We will also invite Russell, who will soon be taking over a new retail business in the hub (based on his successful experience in running such a facility for EMT at Sheffield station) to a Pedals meeting to discuss its operation, once it is up and running.

1. Station Street Cycle Store

Electronic doors have not closed properly for the last few months.

There is confusion as to who is responsible – NCC are responsible for the cage and the electronic door as this is a City card entry system

Entrance area inside the cage is dirty and requires weeding. Keith confirmed that EMT are responsible for the area. EMT do not have access.

nottmstationcyclehubweeds290916-small

The older cycle hub on the north (Station Street) side of the Station opposite Loxley House (accessible for free using a Citycard) showing just how much its maintenance has recently been neglected. EMT are supposed to maintain it but claim that the City Council who control it, have not given them keys to do so! The City Council however dispute this view!!

ACTIONS:

Arrange for door to be fixed and place a sign on the cage with contact details to report issues. (Keith Morgan)

EMT to be provided with city cards for access to clear the facility (Keith Morgan / Matt Bamford)

2. New Queen’s Road Cycle hub

Group provided feedback on new hub:

Group frustrated at the lack of engagement from EMT in the run up to the hub opening.

The entrance is unsafe due to Queens Street road – there is no turning point or dropped kerb for cyclists to safely exit the busy road.

Branding for new cycle hub is poor and entrance area is difficult to see.

Window coverings do not make it clear that it is a cycle facility.

The entrance is lost and confusing.

The top doors do not always work and you cannot gain entry from them.

No signage with contact details of whom to report faults or contact if there is a problem.

Poor advertising for the facility and confusion of where to purchase a fob from.

Facility has been in very poor state of cleanliness.

No tools for cyclists – pump etc.

There is no instruction how to use the cycle stands and the top stands are too high and dangerous to place your bike.

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Pedals member Chris Gardner by the 2-level bike racks in the new Queen’s Road Station Cycle Hub. Clearly the upper level racks will be easier for some cyclists to use than others. We have urged EMT to provide posters with clear advice on how to use them and suggested that they also provide video clips on their website. If you can manage to work out how to obtain a fob to access this site (for £10) you can then use them at similar facilities at other EMT Stations including Sheffield and Leicester.

EMT Provided an update:

EMT will work with the group on the hub to improve and promote the facility.

New cycle shop fit out starts next week and Russell should be open for October.

Cycle hub has now been placed on the cleaning spec and will be cleaned daily.

Marketing campaign will start once the shop opens.

Fobs can now be purchased from the ticket office.

Racks are used in all of our hubs. We have not received any complaints regarding the top racks.

ACTIONS:

EMT to review signage in and around the station for the hub (Matt Bamford)

Window signage to be reviewed to better promote the hub (EMT Marketing)

Instructions to be placed around the hub for the racks (Matt)

Guidance and hub etiquette to be placed on the walls (Matt / Russell)

NCC / EMT to meet to discuss Queen street entrance improvements (Sarah Turner / Keith Morgan)

Pumps and basic tools to be placed in the hub for cyclists to use (Matt/Russell)

Notice boards to be placed in the hub (Matt)

Review of hub facility to take place to make minor improvements (Matt / Sarah/ Paul Abel)

EMT ask Russell to attend monthly PEDALS meetings (Matt)

EMT to arrange 2nd marketing campaign for hub once the shop opens (EMT Marketing)

EMT / NCC to review the milk dock area for increased capacity and dual fob usage (Keith/Sarah)

EMT to look into electric charge points in the hub (Sarah)

Follow up meeting to be arranged in 3 months’ time (Sarah)

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Click for full image

 

UPDATE: Nottingham Station Cycle Hub Follow-Up Meeting Minutes/Actions – 12/12/16

UPDATE: Nottingham Station Cycle Hub Follow-Up Meeting – Actions Update – 3/2/17