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ITEM EX25 - ANNEX 1

EXECUTIVE – 19 MARCH 2002

BETTER WAYS TO SCHOOL - CYCLE ROUTES OUTSIDE HEADINGTON JUNIOR SCHOOL

 

Communications received

Respondent

Support

Suggestions/Concerns

Officer comment

Police

Y

Concern about speed on the cycle track.

This will be reviewed in the Safety Audit and measures to reduce speed introduced.

Oxfordshire County Council Access Officer

Y

Concern about a vulnerable pedestrian standing in the cycle lane waiting to cross the road

This is discussed in more detail below as issue 2. The officer view is that the design shows the best overall position.

Disabled Drivers Association

Y

Supports making full use of pavement width

Cyclists Touring Club

(CTC)

Y

Detailed comments:

wants to see flush kerbs with smooth surfaces. Suggests tree pruning if lighting is moved back. Requests clear markings for pedestrians and cyclists

The detail design will attempt to achieve these objectives. Smoothing out all surfaces may encourage speed.

Association for the Blind

Y

Wants to ensure visible and smooth edged street furniture

We will select suitable products

Headington and Marston Residents Association

Y

Concern about use of the route and whether level needs to be split.

Also the possible pavement congestion at the Latimer Road corner.

See discussion below as Issues 1&3. The officer view is that the design shows the best overall position

Detailed discussion of the main issues raised above.

  • Issue 1: Who will use the cycle facilities and can there be a level difference?

The issue raised about wider usage is a reasonable one although the transport strategy does not discriminate against types of cyclists. It is envisaged that the cycle route will be used by school children, especially those travelling between the Junior and the Senior school. Officers consider that a similar route along the Senior School’s frontage will also be feasible in the future.

The idea of splitting the levels of the two surfaces is not supported by officers. Apart from the cost implications it is considered that the introduction of two kerblines would impact on driveway access and egress and present an additional hazard to vulnerable pedestrians.

  • Issue 2: Safety of partially sighted pedestrians.

In general officers currently recommend that the cycle route is near the road as this keeps them more visible at accesses and driveways and avoids the need to cross the pedestrian’s path. It is recognised that there are issues with bus stops that can introduce variant solutions, but this is not relevant here. The issue raised in this scheme has been simply that of a pedestrian who wants to cross the road at a random point along the route, particularly if they are partially sighted, may face a hazard as they will be standing in cycle section waiting to cross. As there are no crossing points along that stretch of road that particular event is unlikely to happen.

  • Issue 3 Entry to the cycle surface at the Latimer Road Junction

Unlike at the other end by the traffic signals there is scope to vary this and two main suggestions have been considered. They are:

(a) Move the entry down slightly away from the corner or

(b) Provide a raised entry treatment across Latimer Road

These concerns will be picked up by the Safety Audit. However, as it is intended to convert the Pelican crossing to the north of Latimer Road to a Toucan, the above issues would be better resolved at that time, after monitoring the present scheme’s performance. The final design will relate to this conversion.

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