Tag: NCN422

Q&A with a Sustrans Ranger

Posted on by Secretary

SPOKES Secretary Clive Tombs is also a local Sustrans Volunteer Ranger – part of a network of wonderful people who give up their time on a regular basis to help look after the National Cycle Network. He kindly agreed to answer a few questions to provide us with some insights about his role.

So what is a Sustrans Ranger?
Sustrans’ Volunteer Rangers get actively involved in maintaining sections of the National Cycle Network (NCN).  It’s great to get out in the fresh air and to do something positive to maintain and improve paths that get used by people on a daily basis to get to work or college, pop to the shops, or just for leisure.

What section of the NCN do you look after?
The local Ranger team looks after the section of NCN Route 4 from Bedwyn through Newbury and Thatcham, to where we meet the Reading group’s section at Woolhampton canal bridge. It’s quite a long stretch! 

What sort of things do you typically do?
Our main activities are: cycling (or walking) the route section/s to carry out checks; cutting back vegetation that is encroaching on the NCN routes; cleaning, checking and where appropriate replacing signs; and reporting issues to partner organisations such as the Canal & River Trust. 

What is the time commitment for a Ranger?
It’s really as much time as you can give, but the guideline is 3 to 4 hours a month.

Are there other Rangers that help you?
At the moment there’s only a couple of active volunteers, so it would be great to have a few more to help out with maintenance and keeping the route in good shape.  It’s great being able to have a coffee and a chat part way through the day, as well as doing something positive and practical!   Helen, the Sustrans’ regional volunteer co-ordinator, is based in Reading and comes to join us too.

What happens when you find something that you can’t fix?
That depends on what it is and where it is!  If it’s an issue with the condition of the towpath, it gets reported to the Canal & River Trust.  If it’s something on the public roads, it gets reported to West Berkshire Council via their website. We have offered Canal & River Trust the opportunity of some joint work, under their risk assessment, but that offer is yet to be taken up.

If someone is interested in becoming a Ranger, how do they go about it?
Visit the ‘Volunteer with Sustrans’ webpage: sustrans.org.uk/get-involved/volunteer. This will give you more of a flavour of what the large group of volunteers across the country does to maintain the vast network of NCN routes. Alternatively, you can talk to our local volunteer coordinator about the role:

Helen Fisher
Volunteer Coordinator | England South
RISC | 35-39 London Street | Reading | RG1 4PS
07500 833 152 | 0118 958 1712 | @Volcosoutheast

A4 Cycle Route (Phase 2) Consultation

Posted on by Secretary

West Berkshire Council is continuing to develop its plans for a cycle route along the A4 between Newbury and the district boundary at Calcot, which will form part of the new National Cycle Network Route 422. When complete, this will connect 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 Berkshire since NCN Route 4 was created.

The scheme is being progressed in phases. The Council consulted on Phase 1 back in October last year and work has already started on the section between Newbury and Thatcham.

Phase 2 will continue the improvements through Thatcham. The proposals include:

  • 1.5m wide cycle lanes marked on the carriageway along the entire length of A4 on both sides
  • more dropped kerbs for better transitions between existing off-road facilities and on-carriageway lanes
  • parking amendments to prevent parked cars blocking the cycle lanes (alternative provision will be created for residents)
  • upgraded pedestrian and cycle crossing facilities
  • changes to traffic islands to remove ‘pinch points’ for cyclists
  • advance stop lines for cyclists at junctions with traffic signals

Further information with detailed drawings can be found on the Council’s website.

Please take the opportunity to review the proposals and have your say. We would be delighted if you could lend your support to this comprehensive set of improvements for local cyclists. You can send your comments or objections to this proposal to the Highways Project Team, no later than 13 May.

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.