Review of the Highway Code
Goverment Review of HWC
This section lists issues - problems on the street network and related matters.
Issues always relate to some geographical location, whether very local or perhaps city-wide.
You can create a new issue using the button on the right.
Listed issues, most recent first, limited to the area of Maidstone Cycle Campaign Forum:
sound+fury // 1 thread
A bill is being put forward to sentence any cyclist convicted of dangerous cycling to a 14 year prison term.
Created by Matthew // 1 thread
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/inclusive-transport-strategy
Lots of interesting stuff about inclusive transport regarding trains, buses, cars, public realm, streets and yes a bit about cycling too. Quotes:
Shared Space:
8.11 While we consider CIHT and DPTAC’s recommendations and how to take them
forward, we are requesting that local authorities pause any shared space schemes
incorporating a level surface they are considering, and which are at the design stage.
We are also temporarily suspending Local Transport Note 1/11. This pause will allow
us to carry out research and produce updated guidance.
Objectives regarding Cycling:
• Update Local Transport Note 2/08, which sets out the Department’s guidance to
local authorities on designing safe and inclusive infrastructure for cyclists, to take
account of developments in cycling infrastructure since its publication in 2008 and
the responses to the draft AAP consultation and publish a revised version by early
2019;
• By 2020, explore the feasibility of amending legislation to recognise the use of
cycles as a mobility aid71 in order to increase the number of disabled people
cycling.
Created by maidstoneonbike // 1 thread
Highways England are spending up to £100 million on changes to this roundabout. The following is from their website:
Traffic using the M2 junction 5/A249 Stockbury roundabout suffers delay and the junction has a poor safety record. The approach to the junction from the north and east, in particular, experiences high levels of delay and the junction is identified in the list of the top 50 national casualty locations on the trunk and motorway network.
An increase in capacity is necessary to accommodate traffic from planned new developments and the capacity problems are also inhibiting economic investment plans.
Improvement of the junction was proposed in Swale Borough Council’s Draft Transportation Strategy 2014 and in Kent County Council’s framework for regeneration in 2010 (Growth without Gridlock). It is also proposed within the South East Local Economic Partnership’s Growth Deal and Economic Plan 2014.
The scheme was included in the March 2015 Roads Investment Strategy (RIS) and in our Delivery Plan 2015.
Aims
The objectives of this scheme are to:
reduce travel time and improving journey time reliability in the hotspot areas
reconnect communities
reduce and the impacts of pollution
enable local planning authorities to manage the impact of planned growth and in doing so support the wider economy
provide safer roads with fewer delays which can adequately cater for the impacts of adverse weather
minimise impacts on the natural environment and optimising environmental opportunities and mitigation
provide opportunities for improved accessibility for all users
---
There is an opportunity for cycling and walking provision, and Highways England have suggested that Maidstone Cycle Campaign propose such provision to them so they can make arrangements to sort funding for it.
Any suggestions for cycling and walking provision would be beneficial
Anon // 1 thread
Proposal to prohibit motor vehicles (except for access) with the clear intention of restricting through traffic.
There are works in progress on Pilgrims Way at present although these may be unconnected.
Anon // 1 thread
KCC scheme aimed at increasing available parking.
I am not familiar with the area but from a brief tour on Streetview I expect this will effectively formalise parking behaviour that is already occuring.
What should our response be?
Anon // 1 thread
Reduction of Speed limit from 40mph to 30mph
Anon // 0 threads
http://consultations.kent.gov.uk/consult.ti/LenhamRd_MAidstone/consultationHome
Reduction from NSL to 30mph in area shown.
Anon // 1 thread
http://consultations.kent.gov.uk/consult.ti/30mphmardenroad/consultationHome
Currently 40mph. New roundabout proposed (access to new housing?), essentially extending the residential 30mph zone to include some additional existing properties and the new development.
Anon // 1 thread
Progress Report to Joint Transport Board 14 October 2015
Anon // 1 thread
Progress Report to Joint Transport Board 14 October 2015
http://services.maidstone.gov.uk/meetings/documents/s44749/JTB%20Report%20Medway%20Towpath.pdf
The line on the map may be inaccurate as I do not have a map of the scheme and lack familiarity with the area.
Anon // 1 thread
Progress Report to Joint Transport Board
http://services.maidstone.gov.uk/meetings/documents/s44746/JTB%20Report%20Loose%20Greenway.pdf
Broadly speaking the aim is to connect Coxheath through Loose to Maidstone.
I have neither sufficient familiarity with the scheme nor the area to draw a line on the map.
Anon // 1 thread
KCC are consulting on speed limit reductions creating a 20mph zone in Bearsted.
http://consultations.kent.gov.uk/consult.ti/speedlimitsbearsted/consultationHome
Anon // 1 thread
KCC Consultation: http://consultations.kent.gov.uk/consult.ti/speedlimitamendsmaidstone/consultationHome
Extends the 30 mph limit on Sittingbourne Road to include the Chiltern Hundreds roundabout.
It leaves a 40mph limit on Bearsted Road where the marked cycle route from Mote Park to Detling crosses at Hockers Lane / Weavering St.
That seems to me like an opportunity missed to reduce the 40mph limit on Bearsted Road to 30mph from Newnham Court Roundabout to Hockers Lane.
Anon // 1 thread
KCC are consulting on proposals to upgrade streetlighting to LEDs.
This effects the whole of Kent (excluding Medway unitary authority), Cyclescape will not allow such a large area marking.
This includes reviewing the current "switch off" policy operating at certain locations 12:00-05:00.
Anon // 1 thread
KCC consultation on reduction in speed limit to 40mph
http://consultations.kent.gov.uk/consult.ti/40mphspeedlimitheadcorn/consultationHome
Consultation closes 28 Sept 2015.
Anon // 1 thread
KCC are consulting on a width restriction for vehicles using this road.
http://consultations.kent.gov.uk/consult.ti/Churchstreetwidthrestriction/consultationHome
Seems like something we should support.
Any comments to TRO@Amey.co.uk by 12 noon Monday 14th September 2015.
Anon // 1 thread
Consultation by KCC on proposed reduction of speed limits.
http://consultations.kent.gov.uk/consult.ti/speedlimitslowerroad/consultationHome
Seems like a good idea to me.
Anon // 2 threads
Early in February I came across some changes to the layout of the road.
There were notices up explaining that it was an experimental scheme, intended to stop lorries parking. 500 metres of the road had been made one way southbound and one lane plus the parking bays bollarded off.
The cycle route between Maidstone and the Medway Towns via Bluebell Hill used that 500 metre stretch northbound. I saw that as a problem.
Don’t worry I was told, the scheme isn’t complete yet.
Returning in March I discovered that the adjacent footway has been marked for shared use by equestrians, pedestrians and cyclists. Some blue signs have been added but the path remains cracked, potholed and broken and it is around one metre wide. It's also rapidly becoming overgrown.
There are design manuals for cycle facilities. They recommend a width of three metres for two way traffic. They also recommend that, where space is available, cycle facilities should be on the carriageway.
KCC say they considered cyclists and equestrians at the earliest stages of the design and that a minimum level of provision was made as the scheme is temporary.
I don’t know why KCC haven’t done the job right but I do know the situation may become permanent unless cyclists campaign against it.
The consultation period ends on 15 July, please take some time to object to the scheme in its present form.
http://consultations.kent.gov.uk/consult.ti/ChathamRoad/consultationHome
Related FOI here: https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/the_kent_county_council_chatham
Created by Gregory Williams // 0 threads
The cycle parking standards for Medway can be found here:
http://www.medway.gov.uk/pdf/Medway%20Council%20Residential%20Parking%20Standards%20Jan%202010.pdf
The standards have low minimum quantities and are very basic in their detail. There is no mention, for example, of the minimum space needed to be left around cycle parking, or the spacing of the cycle parking for it to be effective. Nor is there any mention of what constitutes an acceptable type of cycle parking (e.g. Sheffield stands) and what is unacceptable (e.g. wheelbenders). No mention is made about provision of covered cycle parking. No mention is made of the proximity of cycle parking to building entrances. No mention is made of the need for cycle parking to be highly visible and for lighting and CCTV coverage.
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