LCN+ CRISP
Received 20 March 2007
The cycle track through the park from Strathville Road to mapleton Road is being examined as part of the London cycle network LCN+ programme.
The deadline for initial comments is 9 April 2007
WCC will be putting in a response, so please leave any comments on the track and how it could be improved for cyclists here or via the WCC website.
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I use parts of this route during daylight hours perhaps several times a week (more in summer than in winter, because of the daylight - I avoid cycling along here after dark because of personal safety concerns). It can be very pleasant as part of a route for local journeys.
ReplyDeleteMy main suggestions re how it could be upgraded are to do with the surface and with how it links to the rest of the cycle network i.e. roads. For most of this length it is *theoretically* segregated using a raised white line. It's frequently necessary to cross this line e.g. to overtake slower cyclists (it's well used by young children learning to ride a bike and by pedestrians, which is great) or to move out in order to improve forward visibility - the bit north of Foster Way is quite bendy and has poor sightlines. I like to be able to see if another cyclist is approaching.... As we've experienced on Wandsworth and Tooting Commons, the raised white line in itself creates crossing hazards for cyclists because it's difficult to cross at other than a very acute angle. The problems caused have been recognised by WBC engineers who have ground down sections of the white line in order to prevent water ponding (and subsequent icing) in winter. Wouldn't it be much simpler just to remove the raised white line and encourage all users to share the space amicably? The surface of the path itself is rather poor in places, e.g. in the section running alongside Wandle Rec. This has previously been reported to Wandsworth Council.
The other main way in which the route could be improved would be if links to it were improved. For example, it would be useful for access to the path to be facilitated at the south pole of the toucan crossing on Kimber Road and signs put in to indicate the existence of the route. This would also alert motorists to look out for cyclists and pedestrians using the toucan. I've often thought it would be useful when I'm cycling westbound on Kimber Road at this point and wish to turn southward, to be able join the path easily, without crossing the white line. Just one example of how access could be improved - no doubt there are others. It would be useful to be able to access the route from the lightly-used (foot)path leading from Burr Road to the bridge over the Wandle into Lydden Grove, and to formalise the track leaading from Burr Road across the park to Fosters Way. Access by bicycle from Henry Prince estate is also currently poor (especially for anyone cycling with shopping/trailer, or a non-standard pedal cycle). At the northern end of this WBC designated route it would be nice if there were simple provision for cyclists leaving the route via KGP eastern entrance to access the car park. This would form a useful very short link for travel in this direction to local shopping facilities.
I've today sent an e-mail to the Council officer dealing with this asking what stage the Pre-CRIM report is at and when the cycle route inspection meeting is likely to take place.
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