Issues

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 St Albans Cycle Campaign:

  • England's Economic Heartland

    http://www.englandseconomicheartland.com/

    "About us

    Stretching from Swindon to Cambridgeshire and from Northamptonshire to Hertfordshire, England’s Economic Heartland brings political and business leaders together in a strategic collaborative partnership with a shared commitment to realise the region's economic potential.

    We provide the region’s voice on strategic infrastructure and services. Our leadership is focused on addressing barriers to realising our potential.

    • We are the Sub-national Transport Body for the region. Our overarching Transport Strategy will be a 30 year strategic vision for our transport system that puts the needs of businesses and individuals at the forefront of investment decisions

    • Our work on wider strategic infrastructure is focused on making sure investment in transport, digital and utilities infrastructure is ‘joined up’

    • Our work with our delivery partners is focused on identifying investment priorities, getting the funding secured and then delivering improvements to budget and on-time.

    Working in collaboration with Government and partners across the Heartland, we are committed to creating places where people and business realise their potential, and are able to compete on the global stage for UK plc.

    Our 5.1m population and 280,000 business together generate around £155 billion GVA. We have a 21st century economy, particularly rich in high value engineering, science, technology and research. Most of our firms are small or medium sized enterprises with many based in rural or semi-rural areas.

    Overall, our economy is successful and we’re a net contributor to the exchequer. However, the National Infrastructure Commission believes our economy could double or even triple in size. But it also warns this opportunity cannot be taken for granted.

    Indeed, our success already comes at a price. Economic growth combined with underinvestment in infrastructure and services means that the pressure on our transport, digital and wider infrastructure networks has grown to the point where they operate close to capacity most of the time. The resilience of our networks has dropped, affecting business productivity and making travel for individuals increasingly challenging.

    Our transport system continues to be dominated by the legacy of investment that left us with a largely radial pattern of strategic networks centred on London. Travel across the Heartland – and in particular east-west – is hamstrung by poor connectivity and poor integration.

    Digital connectivity remains a challenge at a time when lifestyle and business changes mean our demands and expectations of digital infrastructure continue to increase. And economic success brings with it further pressure on wider strategic infrastructure, including power and water supplies.

    England’s Economic Heartland is the response of strategic political and business leaders to overcome these challenges, with investment in strategic infrastructure and services key to realising our potential."

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  • Highway Code changes

    sound+fury // 1 thread

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

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  • Ayot Greenway Greenspace Action Plan 2020-2025

    Created by JonC // 1 thread

    The Countryside Management Service is currently developing a Greenspace Action Plan for the Ayot Greenway. Attached (see thread) is the briefing document which explains more about the community engagement and plan production process. This briefing document is being sent to relevant local stakeholders. There will be further engagement on a draft plan during January and February 2020.

    We would welcome any comments you may have on the objectives proposed, or your thoughts on the future management of the Ayot Greenway. Should you have any questions, or if you would like to meet to discuss the plan, please get in touch with me using the contact details below.

    Rhiannon Barton, Trainee Land Management Projects Officer

    Countryside and Rights of Way, Environment and Infrastructure Department

    Hertfordshire County Council  I  County Hall  I  Pegs Lane, Hertford  I  SG13 8DN  I  Postal Point: CHN101

    ( 01992 555173 (Comnet 25173)  Email: Rhiannon.Barton@hertfordshire.gov.uk

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  • DfT Policy Paper - Inclusive Transport Strategy

    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.

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  • South West Herts Growth and Transport Plan Consultation

    Created by JonC // 1 thread

    Hertfordshire County Council has developed a new transport strategy for the South West Herts area. The Draft South West Herts Growth & Transport Plan (GTP) proposes packages of transport schemes responding to transport challenges linked to planned growth across the area, and in support of the proposed objectives of this plan and the objectives of Hertfordshire’s new Local Transport Plan 4.

    The South West Herts GTP focuses on Hemel Hempstead and the Watford area as well as links to surrounding towns including St Albans, Harpenden, Luton, Bushey and Rickmansworth. The plan has been developed with support from HCC’s consultant AECOM and with input from local county councillors and district council partners.

    A Summary of the draft South West Herts GTP has been produced for this consultation. If you would like to explore the proposals and background in more detail this is set out in main document for the plan -- the South West Herts GTP Prospectus.

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  • Rate my route - software / app ideas anyone?

    Created by GG // 1 thread

    For a long time I have wondered about a crowd-sourced cycleability map.

    In this, people cycle along a link (accepting the first question of how to define the beginning and end of this) then give it a thumbs up or down. After enough people do this, then others can see how popular it is.
    Some people wonder about subjectivity but I think this should be less of a problem with more voters.

    The reason I am asking is because this method could apply to a potential commercial project for a Council which wants to drive around 100km of rural roads and use a panel of 4 experts to grade meaningful segments on a 1 to 7 scale according to their suitability for HGV movements.

    Any views on whether this is already done within an app I am not aware of, or could be it done by anyone as an add-on to something else, or is it something CamCycle could offer as a commercial package (there may well be more than one local authority looking for this sort of thing)

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  • Rumble strips instead of paint

    Created by Simon here // 2 threads

    Complete separation of cyclists and cars can't always be achieved. To make sharing of the road safer I would like to propose using rumble strips instead of flat paint to separate the bike lane from the rest of the road. It would act as a physical reminder for car-drivers that they are encroaching the bike lane. This happens particularly near pinch points like road bends or crossroads. So even just a selective application of rumble strips could have a very positive effect, I believe. What's the view of the cycling community? Has it been tested?

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  • Hatfield St Albans all year commuter route

    Created by Adam Edwards // 1 thread

    The Alban Way is unlit and isolated from main roads. Thus it does not provide a safe commuter route in the winter months.

    WelHatCycling believes there should be an all year route alongside the A1057 along the route shown, linking Hatfield to the St Albans Green Ring at Fleetville and then continuing in to the city centre.

    This will be a challanging route where streets are narrow and car use is high. The priority therefore might be University of Hertfordshire - Oaklands College - Fleetville to encourage cycling to these two key educational institutions.

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  • Lemsford Road Avenue Road junction

    Created by Rona471 // 1 thread

    HertsCC proposal to create a junction speed table and zebra crossing at the junction of Avenue Road and Lemsford Road. The proposed zebra crossing will be north of the junction. The proposal is part of the Maple School Safer Routes to School project.

    This junction is on the route of the Green Ring, where it crosses the railway using the bridge from Jennings Road.

    The Avenue Road - Jennings Road link is used by many pedestrians and cyclists going to and from: St Peters Street / Carlisle Avenue (ie NCN6); Morrisons & the Alban Way (ie Green Ring); Verulam School (secondary); High School for Girls (secondary) and Maple School (primary). For cycling the route is great for avoiding Sandpit Lane.

    The desire for cycling is that the raised table will provide easier access to the link and make the junction safer for cycling.

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  • King Harry Lane - Shared footway Consultation

    Created by John Metcalf // 1 thread

    "Hertfordshire County Council (HCC) has recently undertaken a feasibility report to investigate cycle links to the new Verulamium Park (Ver Park) Route link to NCN 6 from the King Harry Lane area. We have looked at ways to improve the cycling and walking environment; particularly where this would improve the continuity of cycle routes and the movement of people via active modes around your area. A section of shared use cycle route has been recently provided by the developer Linden Homes and the intention is to extend this facility to Abbey Avenue and northwards towards The Ramparts via an upgraded traffic signal crossing point into Verulamium Park.

    The proposals include the following:

    · Upgrade the existing traffic signal controlled crossing near Verulamium Park access to a Toucan Crossing,

    · To provide improvements to the footway areas on both sides of the traffic signal controlled crossing to make it both suitable for pedestrians and cyclists, and linking into the new section of shared use footway/ cycleway that the developer has recently provided.

    · To the south of the new roundabout, on the western side, the existing footway will be widened from 0.9-1.1m to 2.5m to continue the shared use route towards Abbey Avenue.

    To upgrade the existing uncontrolled crossing at King Harry Lane jw Abbey Avenue by increasing the widths of the existing pedestrian refuge to widths that can accommodate both cyclists and pedestrians.

    This option has been carefully evaluated and full consideration has been given to the likely effects that it may have on residents.

    Please find attached a plan which shows details of the proposed scheme for Ver Park Highway Link (Cycleway/ Footway).

    At this stage we are intending to implement the proposals during the next financial year, 2014/15.

    As such we are now finalising the design and we are interested in hearing your views or any comments you may have regarding the proposals"

    Initial comments by John Metcalf

    Overall to be welcomed as better than what is there already. But, it could be improved?
    1. Traffic entering Abbey Avenue is likely to be going too fast for a safe crossing for those walking or cycling. This is a rat-run to avoid the King Harry roundabouts. Therefore tighten the radii of the junction and make a raised crossing (on a hump). Do we want a Tiger (Zebra for walkers and cyclists) crossing?
    2. The crossing of the new roundabout exit into King Harry Park is hazardous. It needs to be upgraded with a humped crossing (and a Tiger?). Is this sufficient or should there also be measures to slow down the traffic entering and leaving King Harry Park.
    3. The best solution would be to upgrade the ROW footpath from the toucan crossing of King Harry Lane to Rowlatt Drive

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  • Green Ring : Griffiths Way, Holywell Hill

    Created by mike1727 // 1 thread

    Route proposal for the link from Prospect Road/Verulamium Park to the start of the Alban Way.

    The route is a shared, wide, pavement with a width around 3 metres- in line with minimum width for a shared route.

    Documents are available at http://www.stalbans.gov.uk/planning/Planningpolicy/greenring/hccsiteb.aspx

    Please have a look at the thread on this as there are a few point which STACC will bring out, you may want to consider these in your response.

    Please return any comments to Clare Martin via phone, email or post.
    Please also contact Clare if you have any further queries about the proposed works.

    Clare Martin
    Project Engineer, Integrated Transport Planning
    Highways
    Postal Point CHO317
    Hertfordshire County Council, Leahoe Annexe, Pegs Lane, Hertford, SG13 8DN
    t: 01992 658478 Comnet / Internal: 58478
    email: Clare.Martin@hertfordshire.gov.uk

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  • Alban Way flooding

    Created by mike1727 // 1 thread

    In the recent wet weather an approximately 30 yard section of the Alban Way on the Hatfield side of the has started to flood to a depth of up to 4-5 inches. This is at the point where the sunken drain presents a hazard- wonder if the two are linked?

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  • Sandridgebury Lane railway bridge

    Created by Rona471 // 2 threads

    Flooded again! Has been for weeks, although it has been a bad winter for floods throughout the UK.
    Was badly flooded before to depth of three feet and a lot of mud was removed, but clearly more work is needed as this is a recurring problem.
    Today was passable, almost up to bottom bracket though.
    Not readily passable for pedestrians - on 30 December saw a runner actually go up the bank and across the railway line, very dangerous.
    Benefit for bold cyclists - some drivers won't go through, so lane is quieter for us!
    Possible solution - fix the drains. Alternative - provide a boardwalk for pedestrians, cyclists could also use it too.

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  • Green Ring Everlasting Lane section

    Created by mike1727 // 1 thread

    "The St. Albans Green Ring route will run approximately parallel to Everlasting Lane in Batchwood Everlasting Lane is an un-surfaced green lane that can be used as an alternative route to avoid traffic. "

    It is proposed to construct a new tarmac path across the recreation ground in Temple View from access on Temple View going North West to an entrance onto Everlasting Lane"

    Feasibility study pages 15-17
    Googlemap ref http://goo.gl/maps/MjClP

    2.5m wide tarmac cyclepath sloping down from playing fields to Everlasting Lane max gradient 1:12 sides 1:2.5

    this appears to be option 3 from the feasibility study

    Questions:
    Why was Sutrans' reccomended route not taken up?

    Will there be a cycling right of way accross the Recreation ground to provide a legal link to City Hospital?

    Will cycle parking be installed in the Recreation Ground?

    What work is being planned on the Everlasting lane section of this route? (In particular surfacing and width)

    Will lighting be installed?

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  • Green Ring Bernards heath section 2

    Created by mike1727 // 0 threads

    2.5m bound gravel cycle path following existing informal route "proposed to widen and reconstruct the existing path through the Recreational Ground to Sandridge Road. "

    Feasibilty study page 24
    Googlemaps ref http://goo.gl/maps/97an1

    Questions:
    What is being planned for the crossing of Sandridge road and when will it be delivered?

    Sustrans reccomendation:
    Cross Sandridge Road via a central refuge – consider creating another central refuge
    on Sandridge Road to the north east of Boundary Lane for cyclists wishing to travel in
    that direction. An alternative would be to create a Zebra crossing at this location
    without a central refuge. This would avoid the pinch point created by a refuge for
    those cycling along Sandridge Road.

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  • Green Ring Bernards Heath section 1

    Created by mike1727 // 1 thread

    Link between NCN 6 near Townsend Drive to Edward Beaufort Drive

    "It is proposed to cross Bernard’s Heath on a 2.5 metre width hard-surfaced gravel pathway running approximately parallel to Heath Farm Lane. It will follow the existing informal route through the Heath. "

    Feasibilty study page 23
    google map reference

    Questions:
    Please ensure any bollards/posts at each end of the section allow sufficent width for tandems and bike trailers.

    When is additional work on this link due?

    Feasibility study reccomended :

    •Widen roadside footway to maximum available using Highways land to rear of footway between Edmund Beaufort Drive and new crossing of Harpenden Road

    • Cross Harpenden Road using Toucan on crest of hill

    We could do with some photos of this please.

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  • Route from Sandridge to St Albans

    Created by mike1727 // 1 thread

    Route along St Albans Road providing a direct link between St Albans and Sandridge. This would connect to the footpath/bridleway conversion from Sandridge to No-Man's land and to a potential route from No-man's land to Wheathampstead providing a route from St Albans to Wheathampstead.

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