Our response to the City Centre to A457 Dudley Road consultation

Filed under: Consultation / Cycle Lane Proposal / LTNs

The proposal makes a pop-up cycle lane delivered under the Emergency Active Travel Fund permanent. While this is an interim primary route, like Pushbikes we see this route as secondary to the last mile from the A457 Dudley Road to the city centre core, which should continue directly into the city centre using Summer Hill Road and Sand Pits.

We are in favour of the proposed scheme, whilst raising the following issues with the proposed design.

Zone 1 – Clissold Passage between Spring Hill and Clissold Street

Shared infrastructure rarely makes good cycling infrastructure. It is unpleasant for both pedestrians and cyclists, and we strongly discourage its use.

In this instance, we struggle to see the need to have a shared space from the existing cycle lane on the A457. We would instead prefer to see the proposed protected cycle track from Roseberry Street extended to the A457. A zebra crossing could be installed across the cycle lane where it turns onto the A457, to allow pedestrians to safely cross it.

The proposed shared space area is currently a dark corner hidden from the road by a steep drop-off. It should not be considered safe to use at night. Lighting needs to be installed and the access should not slow a cyclist to the point where they feel vulnerable, as the shared space design currently does.

Zone 2 – Clissold Street between Capstone Avenue and Rosebery Street

Narrowing the road by installing a protected cycle lane is, in our view, an acceptable way to decrease the possibility of speeding on the road. We would, however, like to see a raised continuous crossing across the junction with New Spring Street North. We would also like to see the Camden Street junction squared off and a raised continuous crossing for pedestrians installed.

Zone 3 – Capstone Avenue/Knightstone Avenue between Clissold Street and Hingeston Street

Rather than the modal filter being a shared space, we would rather have the central section marked as a cycle lane.

We would like to see double-yellow lines added to ensure that the modal filter is accessible to cyclists at all times.

Zone 4 – Hingeston Street between Knightstone Avenue and A4540 Icknield Street (Ring Road)

We suggest that adding signage to indicate that there is a safe route to the supermarket and Dudley Road using the cycle street via Ellen Street. There are other examples along the Dudley Road route that signposts the same destination in several routes.

We hope that making the cycle lane wider and permanent will mean it can be regularly swept as this section is currently one of the most littered and clogged with mud on that route.

Zone 5 – Hingeston Street/A4540 Icknield Street/Carver Street Junction

Whilst it is outside the scope of this scheme, we would like to see future consideration given to a cycle lane extension down Icknield Street to the Tesco supermarket, building the ring road Cycleway.

Zone 6 – Carver Street between A4540 Icknield Street and Albion Street

We would ask whether there is any need for the small section of Warstone Lane to Icknield Street to be open to through traffic. A modal filter at the Icknield Street end would allow access to the buildings on that section, whilst making it significantly safer for cyclists and pedestrians to cross the road. We would also suggest a raised continuous crossing be installed on the entrance to that small section of Warstone Lane.

The installation of proper kerbing along Carver Street is welcomed. This needs to be further self-enforcing with bollards in the centre line of the route at junctions to prevent vehicles from entering the cycle lane.

We would like to see better road markings, having had personal experience of being driven at by someone who incorrectly thought they had the right of way.

We would strongly recommend that the previously implemented LTN on Albion Street be reinstated, though we would ask if it would be better placed on the southwest exit of Dayus Square. That would allow the cycle lane to be extended to the square onto Legge Lane, increasing safety.

Zone 7 – Legge Lane between Albion Street and Newhall Hill (including Frederick Street)

We welcome the retention of the protected cycle lane on this section. The proposed change to making the top of Newhall Hill a give way junction is a very welcome safety improvement for cyclists on the cycle lane.

If through traffic on Legge Lane is deemed an issue, it could be eradicated by making its junction with Newhall Hill left-turn only.

Adding a blue-surfaced cycle lane from the proposed section at the top of Newhall Hill to the entrance of Frederick Street would emphasise that cyclists have priority over traffic exiting Legge Lane.

Zone 8 – Graham Street between Newhall Hill and Newhall Street.

We are concerned that the shared space around the bus stop could cause conflict. We think that the cycle lane could be made wider and a second lane added for the other direction by, for example, making the top section of Graham Street one-way towards Newhall Street (we accept that this would require the 101 towards the Jewellery Quarter to be re-routed along George Street and Newhall Hill). The extra space created should allow for a bus stop bypass to be built for the cycle lane.

Putting a modal filter at the entrance to Brook Street would provide a safe cycle route from here to St Paul’s Square. The cycle lane could also then be extended along Newhall Street and up to Colmore Row.

TSRGD blue cycling directional signage should be installed starting from New Street up to the extent of the scheme at Dudley Road, along with floor cycle markings to reassure cyclists they are on a cycle route.

Conclusion

Whilst we feel that this proposal has plenty of room for improvement, we would like to be considered to be in favour of it.