Tag: consultation

Rights of Way Improvement Plan

Posted on by Web Editor

West Berkshire Council is currently consulting on its Public Rights of Way Improvement Plan (ROWIP). This sets out the council’s strategic goals and priorities for public rights of way in the district.

It is based on a full assessment of the needs of the public in using public rights of way, now and in the future, and sets out a statement of action. The ROWIP has been informed by extensive engagement with stakeholders and the public, with a full consultation and call for evidence back in 2021. The Rights of Way Team has also undertaken a thorough review of evidence.

Spokes has responded to the consultation. Some of the key points that we highlighted were:

  • Ideally, conditions surveys should be undertaken more frequently than once every 10 years, with high priority routes prioritised for more frequent surveys.
  • The Kennet and Avon Canal towpath is in a very poor condition due to a lack of maintenance by the Canal and River Trust, and the situation is likely to deteriorate further due to significant cuts in government grant funding from 2027. A massive investment programme is needed, to bring this up to scratch and this should be recognised in the ROWIP.
  • The extension of the Eling Way to Newbury should be a top priority in the ROWIP’s action plan.
  • The ROWIP should recognise the benefits of long-distance cycling routes such as Eurovelo 2, National Cycle Network Routes and the King Alfred Way, which pass through the district.
  • There are already a number of disparate groups who undertaken maintenance activities on public rights of way (particularly the towpath), but there is no coordination of these groups, which is inefficient. This may be an area for the Council to explore.

The public consultation on the draft ROWIP runs until 26 November and can be found here:
https://www.westberks.gov.uk/draftrowip

Newbury Towpath Consultation

Posted on by Secretary

When they granted planning permission for the racecourse development, West Berkshire Council managed to secure developer contributions to help improve cycle links between the site and Newbury town centre. Enough people have now moved into the new flats to trigger payment of these contributions.

SPOKES has lobbied for the money to be spent on upgrading the section of towpath between Hambridge Road and Victoria Park. This section has deteriorated significantly in recent years and is now in an unacceptable condition. In some places the path has lost its top surface, exposing larger stones beneath. This makes it is uncomfortable to ride along on any bike without suspension. Other sections are plagued with puddles, making it unpleasant for pedestrians and cyclists alike.

We are delighted that the Council has listened to us and has allocated the funds to the Canal and River Trust to carry out the works, which will involve providing a new 1.8m wide surface over a 1,500m stretch of the towpath.

The River Kennet is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and the Trust quite rightly wants to achieve the best balance between protecting the river and its wildlife, and creating a path that will deliver the greatest benefit for the local community.

They are currently consulting on three options for the path construction:

  • Option 1 – Tarmac path construction with a tar and chip surface (surface dressing) along the full length of the resurfaced section of towpath.
  • Option 2 – Rolled gravel surface along the full length of the resurfaced section of towpath.
  • Option 3 – Tarmac path with surface dressing along the north side between Victoria Park and the footbridge to the rear of Tesco, and a rolled gravel path along the south side from the Tesco footbridge to Hambridge Road.

The tarmac path has the highest quality construction, with a true all-weather surface. It is also the most durable, typically lasting 25-30 years before major repairs / resurfacing is required. Although construction costs are slightly higher, on-going maintenance costs are significantly lower, resulting in a lower whole-life cost. However, it may be viewed as being more suitable for urban areas.

The rolled gravel surface gives a softer, more natural appearance that is more in keeping with a rural setting. However, it is softer and more liable to wear and therefore has a much shorter lifespan. It typically needs major repairs / resurfacing after 12 years. It is particularly prone to incursion from grass growing in from the sides, particularly on paths without timber edging. While it is usable in all weathers, it can be a bit muddy after long periods of rain.

SPOKES favours Option 1, since the whole section of route is well-used by both walkers and cyclist and the level of use will only increase as the racecourse development is built out. The existing rolled gravel path suffers from significant erosion where it meets bridge decks / ramps leading to hazardous level differences and requiring regular repair.

CRT suggests that cycle speeds are higher with a tarmac path construction, but in reality any difference in speeds is likely to be negligible and we do not feel that this is an issue.

Regardless of the type of construction, we will push for the path to be constructed with a slightly raised profile so it drains to the verges on either side rather than collecting water. We would also like to see the width increased to 2m or more where space allows.

If surface dressing is used on the tarmac path, then care needs to be taken to properly sweep the path afterwards to remove any loose chippings. We will ensure that the Council undertakes the appropriate inspections once construction is complete.

To find out more about the proposals, watch the video that the Canal and River Trust has produced and complete their on-line survey. The closing date for responses is 20 January 2019.

A4 Cycle Route (Phase 1) Consultation

Posted on by Secretary

West Berkshire Council is in the process of developing plans for a new cycle route along the A4 from Newbury all the way to the district boundary in Calcot. This will form part of the new National Cycle Network Route 422, which will link Newbury and Thatcham to Reading, Wokingham, Bracknell and Ascot. The scheme has received funding through the Thames Valley Berkshire Local Enterprise Partnership and will be one of the biggest cycling schemes in the county since NCN Route 4.

Given the length of the scheme, it will be rolled out in phases. The Council has just gone out to consultation on phase one. This will see improvements on London Road and Benham Hill, from the junction with Faraday Road right up to the Wye Vale Garden Centre roundabout.

The scheme will create safe space for cyclists on the road and will include the following changes:

  • cycle lanes on both sides of road where width allows
  • making better use of available road space by removing hatching and right turn lanes where it is appropriate to do so
  • removing traffic islands to get rid of ‘pinch points’ for cyclists
  • installing advanced stop lines at signalised junctions
  • new dropped kerbs to help cyclists get on and off the route

There will also be improvements to off-carriageway facilities. This recognises the fact that not all cyclists have the confidence to mix with traffic and there are areas where accessibility is currently restricted for those in wheelchairs, mobility scooters and with pushchairs.

The following improvements are proposed:

  • widening and resurfacing sections of pavement, and converting them to shared paths
  • giving cyclists priority across the entrance to the B&Q / Dunelm Mill retail park
  • removing unnecessary road signs, and relocating street furniture
  • creating wider pedestrian islands to improve crossing points for all users

It is also proposed to introduce new double yellow lines, in areas where there is a problem with cars parking and blocking footways. There will be separate consultations to follow for these restrictions as they require Traffic Regulation Orders.

You can send your comments or objections to this proposal to the Highways Project Team, no later than 22 October 2017.

Give us your thoughts on ‘quick win’ schemes for cyclists

Posted on by Secretary

Cheap Street, Newbury - cyclists exempt from banned right turn

Often, little changes can make a big difference for cyclists – for example, exempting them from a banned right turn, or providing a contra-flow in a one-way street.  These schemes can create useful short-cuts and help to make cycling safer and more attractive for local journeys.

West Berkshire Council has told us that there is money available in this year’s budget for small schemes like these and has asked us for suggestions. Ideas so far include:

  1. In Newbury, allow cyclists to turn right into Cheap Street from Market Street.  This would help cyclists travelling from West Fields to Sainsbury’s and Hambridge Road.
  2. Formally designate Newbury Town Centre as a ‘Pedestrian and Cycle Zone’. Although cycling is already allowed in Bartholomew Street and Northbrook Street, existing signs are confusing.
  3. Where possible, exempt cyclists from one-way restrictions on roads in and around Newbury town centre.
  4. Put direction arrows in each lane on the St John’s Road approach to the Burger King roundabout in Newbury. This would reinforce that the middle lane is for straight ahead movements only. Increasingly, motorists are turning left from the middle lane, which goes against Rule 186 of the Highway Code. This results in cyclists being cut up when they are travelling from St Johns Road to Greenham Road.

If you can think of a small change that would make a big difference to your journey, then please let us know. We can’t promise that they will all see the light of day, since each scheme will be subject to a safety audit and appropriate consultation, but we’re happy to pass on ideas for consideration.

Canal and River Trust seeks your views on towpath use and possible traffic calming

Posted on by Secretary

Towpath sign

Our canal towpath network represents an incredible recreational resource that is enjoyed by millions of visitors every year. The Kennet and Avon is an excellent case in point, since it is used by cyclists, walkers, runners, boaters, anglers, canoeists, and even the odd horse pulling craft along the water.

Having so many different activities in close proximity means that people must share the space considerately if they are going to get along. Unfortunately, there is always the odd inconsiderate person who upsets the delicate balance of give and take, and recently there have been reports of runners and cyclists charging along canal towpaths at top speed in order to set the best link times on Strava.

The Canal and River Trust has tried to respond to the problem by creating the Towpath Code, which clearly states that cyclists should slow down and give way to pedestrians and other waterway users. This has been promoted through the ‘Share the Space, Drop Your Pace’ campaign.

However, this has not been sufficient to completely eradicate the problem and in some places the Trust has carried out trails of speed reducing features such as speed bumps and chicanes in an effort to make the code self-enforcing. Unfortunately, these have the potential to cause additional problems, particularly for wheelchair and pushchair users. They also create hazards for users who may not be expecting them, particularly when using towpaths at night.

In order to get a better understanding of the extent of the problem and to identify possible solutions, the Trust has decided to carry out a survey of towpath users.  This asks:

  • how you currently use the towpath network
  • if you have had any negative experiences whilst using the network (e.g. crashes, near misses, or confrontations)
  • whether or not you use technology to track your speed when using towpaths
  • your impressions of how fast people generally travel on towpaths
  • your thoughts on chicanes, barriers and any other potential speed reducing features

The survey takes about 10 minutes to complete and by giving your views, you will be entered into a prize draw to win one of three £50 Wiggle vouchers. The consultation runs until 20 January.