TAG Report Speed Limit Review Nov 2009

TAG Report Speed Limit Review Nov 2009

AGENDA ITEM 7

BOROUGH OF POOLE

CANFORD HEATH EAST AND WEST, CREEKMOOR AND OAKDALE AREA COMMITTEE

22 JANUARY 2014

REPORT OF HEAD OF TRANSPORTATION SERVICES

UPTON ROAD – CYCLE LANES AND SHARED USE FACILITIES

  1. PURPOSE

1.1.To consider proposals for on and off road cycle facilities on both sides of Upton Road between Roberts Lane and the Fleetsbridge roundabout.

1.2.The development of cycle routes is in line with the Borough’s policy on cycling, which states that a safe, secure and convenient network of cycleways will be developed and maintained to encourage this form of transport.

  1. DECISIONS REQUIRED

It is recommended that this Area Committee approve:

2.1The scheme as shown on Drawing Nos. JC0968-01 at Appendices A1 and A2,subject to the advertising of the associated Traffic Regulation Orders, with any objections being brought back to a future meeting of this Committee. If no objections are received then the orders will be made as shown and the scheme implemented.

  1. BACKGROUND INFORMATION

3.1Since the publication of the current Local Transport Plan (LTP3) in 2011, there has been continued development and investment in infrastructure schemes that support and encourage cycling and walking in the borough.

3.2Requests for the provision of walking and cycling routes are received from a range of organisations representing cyclists and walkers.

3.3In order to rank all the requests received a Delivery Programme has been formulated which proposes a method for prioritising suggested schemes. The Delivery Programme was endorsed by the Economy, Overview and Scrutiny Committee at their meeting on 12 September 2013.

3.4Schemes will be reviewed by officers periodically and any new requests would be assessed using the same process and added to the table with the resultant change in ranking. Currently there are 61 requests listed and ranked in priority order.

3.5A cycling scheme for Upton Road, between Roberts Lane and the Fleetsbridge roundabout, is ranked at No. 5 in the Delivery Programme. This would link the existing cycle facilities of:

  • The shared use footway/cycleway on the north side of Upton Road from the Borough boundary and Roberts Lane.
  • The extensive cycling facilities at Fleetsbridge and nearby Broadstone Way.

This scheme is the subject of this Report.

  1. PROPOSAL
  2. The proposed scheme is shown on Drawing JC0968-01 at Appendices A1 and A2.
  3. The main features of the proposed scheme along Upton Road are as follows :

Roberts Lane to Creekmoor Lane Roundabout

The existing shared use (two way) facility from the Borough boundary to Roberts Lane is extendedin a similar way as far as the Creekmoor Lane roundabout.

Eastbound Creekmoor Lane Roundabout to Fleetsbridge

One lane of the dual carriageway would be removed and a mandatory on-road cycle lane created. Two lanes for vehicular traffic are not necessaryhere, particularly as the road soon narrows to one lane again.

At the end of the dual carriageway section the cycle lane becomes advisory.

As the cycle lane approaches the bridge over Broadstone Way it reverts to a shared use facility on the existing footway, and continues on to meet existing cycle facilities at the Fleetsbridge roundabout.

Westbound Fleetsbridge to Creekmoor Lane

The existing shared use facility at the Fleetsbridge roundabout would be extended across the bridge over Broadstone Way.

After the bridge an advisory cycle lane would be created on the existing carriageway.

On approaching the Creekmoor Lane roundabout it would re-join the footway as a shared use facility.

4.3.The footpath varies in width, but at its narrowest is 2.0m wide. While this is narrower than would normally be recommended for an unsegregated shared use path, it is considered that this design remains appropriate on the basis of:

  • Pedestrian and cycling flows are generally very light.
  • Visibility along the length of the paths is excellent.

4.4The shared path would be delineated by roundels and signs placed at each end. Furthermore the scheme would provide improved crossing facilities for both pedestrians and cyclists along the length.

StrategicCycleway Network

4.5The proposals wouldform an important missing link in the strategic cycle network, providing a facility for people to access the industrial and commercial areas of Nuffield and Fleets Corner where there are several significant sized employers.

4.6The suggested route links:

  • The National Cycle Network route 25 alongside Broadstone Way, running north – south betweenPoole Town Centre to Wimborne.
  • The cycle routes on Fleets Lane and Waterloo Road and the Dorset Way via the subways under the Fleetsbridge roundabout.
  • At the western end of Upton Roadto the Castleman Trailway, Roman Road Bridle Path and the Heritage cycle route.

4.7In addition it is proposed to create a new link from Broadstone Way through the BMX / Skate Park onto the south side of Upton Road. While this will probably be of gravel surface construction it will nevertheless be of benefit to both pedestrians and cyclists.

Consultation with Stakeholders

4.8Consultation with Ward Members and members of the Cycling Liaison Group (CLAG) is currently being undertaken. It is anticipated that their comments will be forwarded as an addition to this report shortly.

  1. FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

5.1The cost of the proposals have been estimated at £73,000, for which there is adequate budgetary provision within the current Cycling and Walking category of the Transportation Capital Programme.

  1. LEGAL IMPLICATIONS
  2. A legal order will be required in order to create the shared use facility. Notices will be erected on site and advertised in the local newspaper, with any objections being brought back to a future meeting of this committee for consideration.
  3. RISK MANAGEMENT IMPLICATIONS
  4. This route along Upton Road is already extensively used by cyclists. Where a shared footway/cycleway is proposed, while the width of the path may not be ideal, the proposals would formalise this arrangement and by means of signs and markingsmake users aware of the shared facility.
  5. EQUALITIES IMPLICATIONS
  6. It is considered that the overall benefit of this scheme would be a positive one for the community, particularly those who do not have access to a car,and is not discriminatory against any particular group of individuals.
  7. CONCLUSIONS
  8. This proposed scheme formalises what is already a well used cycling facility, and in doing so makes it safer and more convenient for all road users.
  9. In respect of providing a ‘missing link’ within the wider strategic cycleway network, this an extremely important and much welcomed scheme.

Julian McLaughlin

Head of Transportation Services

Contact Officer: Graham Spicer (01202 262072)

Appendices A1 and A2

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