Tag: Newbury

Cycle Festival – Saturday 14th June 2025

Posted on by Web Editor

Planning steams ahead for the cycling festival next year. There is going to be an array of activities on the day for people to take part in, as well as (we hope) various displays, stalls, local food and more. One of the main events is a cycle parade through Newbury and we would really like to get as many Spokes people involved in this along with their family and friends. So please pencil that date in. It would be great to have Spokes members out in force.

We’ll publish more details over coming months, and assuming success then there’s a good chance it will become an annual event. If you would to be involved in the planning of the event, then please contact us.

And, to note, as its Newbury Road Club’s (NRC’s) 100th anniversary they are organising other events during the year which you may be interested in, please see: https://www.newburyroadclub.co.uk/ for more details.

Couch to 50k

Posted on by Web Editor

Planning continues across Spokes, NRC and Velo for the support programme to help people (18+) get back into or start cycling again. With support and encouragement to get them to a place where they can join in with any of the cycling groups regular rides, or just have more confidence and skills to cycle on their own.

We aim to have the programme ready early next year, but if you are interested or know someone who would benefit from such a programme (e.g. a non-cycling partner or friend) then please let me, William, know (email: events@westberkshirespokes.org)

Cycling Provision at New Developments

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New developments usually present an opportunity to provide better cycling facilities within the site or contribute funding towards improvements for cycling provision in their vicinity. Since the introduction of LTN 1/20 there is now government issued guidance for minimum standards to be adhered to in new cycling infrastructure. Therefore, developers have no excuse not to comply.

Unfortunately, this is not always the case as they are not always held to account.

For example, in the new housing development next to the council offices, billed as a ‘gateway to the town centre’, there is no cycling access through the site. Cyclists are directed to dismount and walk their bicycle to/from the train station, a major transport hub and trip generator for the area, or go the long way round via Cheap Street. The planning permission supposedly secured a walking and cycling path through the development, but this has not come to be realised.

Another example of a recent development falling short is the poor cycle parking provision at the former Sterling Cables site, on Kings Road. Anyone visiting the site by bicycle is obliged to use the appalling ‘wheel-grabber’ style cycle racks, which offer no security for locking a bicycle other than through the front wheel.

LTN1/20 explains why these are not fit for purpose:

“Concrete ‘slots’ or metal hoops that support only the front wheel and do not enable the frame to be secured should not be used for public cycle parking. Many cycles are fitted with quick release wheels, and this type of support increases the risk of theft.” (LTN1/20 11.4.2 pg.134)

Not only this, but the wheel-grabber racks are mounted high up on the walls so that users have to up-end their bike to secure the front wheel, which is difficult for some bicycle users who have heavier bikes, baskets, wider tyres or mudguards.

Spokes will be writing to West Berkshire Council’s Planning Department to push for these issues to be addressed.

Eagle Quarter Planning Application

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The latest planning application for the Eagle Quarter sets out ambitious plans for the redevelopment of the Kennet Centre. Spokes has reviewed the application to see what provision will be made for cyclists and have submitted comments accordingly.

While cycle parking is proposed within the site for use by residents, we have highlighted issues with some of the proposed locations where cyclists would have to ride through the undercroft car park, or through the pedestrianised area within the site to access them. Also, we have raised concerns about the number of doors that cyclists would have to negotiate to access some of the cycle parking areas.

We were disappointed that the transport assessment appeared to assume that there was sufficient on-street cycle parking around the site, without having done a cycle parking audit, so we have asked that this be addressed. There were also a few inconsistencies in the way that the transport assessment considered access by bike to a range of local facilities, which we have also highlighted.

The proposed development would make some significant changes to the road layout, with Northbrook Street becoming two-way between Market Street and the new car park access. Although it is technically not legal for cyclists to travel south between Bridge Street and Market Street, many cyclists do this when the pedestrian and cycle zone is in force between 10am and 5pm. The proposed change would help to improve cycle permeability through the town centre and we have indicated our support for this.

The proposed travel plan for the site is fairly basic and uninspiring, and we have made some suggestions for improvements. However, there is provision for a cycle workshop within the site, which we support.

Further information on the Eagle Quarter proposals can be found here: https://www.eaglequarter.com/

If you would like to view / comment on the planning application, you can do so here:
http://planning.westberks.gov.uk/rpp/index.asp?caseref=23/02094/FULMAJ

The planning application is likely to be considered by the Council’s Western Area Planning Committee early in the New Year.

Andover Road Cycle Route

Posted on by Secretary

The lower section of Andover Road in Newbury is being upgraded between the St John’s roundabout and Buckingham Road, where resurfacing works are being combined with improvements to the cycle route and parking.

Cyclists heading south away from town, are now taken off the carriageway immediately after the pedestrian crossing and are given priority across Old Newtown Road. This is a welcome improvement. The markings from the previous cycle lane had almost entirely been scrubbed away by encroaching vehicles, which illustrated how little room there was for cyclists at this point.

South of Old Newtown Road, there is a short section of shared path, which takes cyclists behind an enlarged parking bay and relocated bus bay, before the cycle route splits from the footway to run alongside the carriageway as before.  The route then drops back to carriageway level before reaching Wendan Road and continues as far as the pelican crossing. The route fizzles out beyond the crossing where the carriageway narrows.

In the northbound direction, the route is a continuous on-carriageway cycle lane, between Wendan Road and St John’s roundabout. Spokes has been assured that double yellow lines will be provided to prevent cars from parking in the cycle lane. This has been facilitated by providing the enlarged parking bay on the other side of the road to cater for those residents who have no off-road parking.

Other improvements that are expected imminently include improved cycle markings on the exit from St John’s roundabout and a smoother transition between the raised and on-carriageway sections of cycle route on the southbound approach to Wendan Road.

Spokes broadly welcomes the scheme, which addresses some long-running concerns, particularly with parking in the cycle lane. However, it’s by no means perfect – the southbound route around the tree and bus stop involves some significant changes of direction that slow cyclists down, the on-carriageway sections lack any sort of physical protection, and it would be good to have some cycle markings painted on the carriageway where the route crosses Wendan Road.