Goverment Review of HWC

A bill is being put forward to sentence any cyclist convicted of dangerous cycling to a 14 year prison term.

Current DfT consultations.

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.

Barrier installed between Everglades Avenue and Summerhill Road.

This is a potentially beneficial low traffic route from Milton Road through to London Road and the shops /amenities in Cowplain.

"Cycle Path" between houses has a barrier across it reducing usability for trailers, trikes etc.

Sunnymead Road, Waterlooville is currently a "Cycle Advisory" route" from Milton Road to Charlesworth Drive, marked out with 0.75m (substandard) on road advisory cycle routes.

Approx 10 meters after the junction (north/west bound) after Charlesworth Drive, the route disappears, and there are no signs to show that the route goes via Charlesworth Drive.

Given that many cyclists traversing this road are from Denmead, and have used the Hambledon Road shared path from Denmead, typically to/From Cowplain School, to divert them off Silverster Road having crossed it, then back on again, makes no sense.

Route needs a review with the Council to provide a clearer, safer route from Denmead area to Cowplain School.

The Advisory Cycle Lane and Bus lane layout travelling Southbound on the A3 London Road through Cowplain is a very poor layout leading to a significant pinch point through the lights.

The advisory lane is tiny, and far too often has a car sitting in it, as per the image above, yet the road layout leading to it implies that this is "safe" - it is far, far from it.

I've seen a number of cyclists miss the "move into the main carriageway" signing, and end up at the end of the bus lane, waiting for their lights to go green - and because they never do, they jump them, only to then be left hooked.

The recent 3 year period 01/07/13 to 30/06/16 shows 12 total (1 fatal and 6 serious) collisions, 6 of which were motorcycle collisions.

This scheme aims to improve the visibility of the entrance to the Viewpoint Car Park along Portsdown Hill Road to approaching motorists.

This will be achieved by improving the existing signage, implementing coloured surfacing to highlight the approaching junction and installing countdown markers/rumble strips on each of the approaches to the entrance to advise road users of the potential conflicting traffic manoeuvres within the vicinity.

Portsdown Hill Road & James Callaghan drive are a set of roads along the top of Portsdown Hill that is currently used by a lot of cyclists for commuting, touring and leisure facilties due to the forts, views and open areas around it.

As such, it's a well known tourist spot to stop for a burger or take a picnic and fly a kite.

However, being on top of an exposed hill results in significant side winds which results in cyclists being blown about by gusts, and therefore all cyclists need to take primary position on this road to give them space. As a 40mph road, many drivers have significant issues with cyclists taking primary, and therefore perform many punishment/close passes.

The affect of this on cycling in the area is many
1) More people would cycle from the surrounding areas ( Waterlooville, Havant, Fareham/Lee on Solent ) to work at QA Hospital or the businesses on the hill if there were better cycle infrastructure.
2) More people would cycle from the surrounding area & to enjoy the space & views if it felt safer to get there.