The national audit of restrictions on cycle routes continues apace with travel focussed charity Sustrans undertaking the exercise on all the National Cycle Network (NCN).Members of Cycle Whitchurch are helping in carrying this out where Route NCN246 passes through Andover.
NCN246 also runs close to Whitchurch and links to it are promoted such as its inclusion in year’s Whitchurch Jubilee Cycle Trail which connects in both at St Mary Bourne and also near Chilbolton.
Users of NCN246 also often call into Whitchurch to collect supplies or to enjoy a coffee and cake at the cafés bringing trade to the town. The Silk Mill and Kudos are particularly popular.
Access denied to many
The presence of restrictive access controls and barriers means that users of many adaptive bikes, mobility scooters, wheelchairs, buggies and other non-standard equipment are currently unable to use significant sections of the National Cycle Network.
Barriers are not acceptable
Barriers on cycle routes are no longer considered acceptable particularly when they are of the chicane type as was on the Whitchurch Mill Springs path.
This poor design had been raised with Whitchurch Town Council nearly two years ago but the problems were eventually addressed after a resident took up the cause directly with the developer. however, while there has been some limited improvement, the barriers remain.
Meanwhile local cyclists have been hoping this path and the newly shared use route out to Tufton may become part of a feeder to NCN246.
128 barriers have been removed
Nearly two thirds of the traffic-free miles in the south of England have now been audited by volunteers of the Sustrans charity, providing high quality information.
128 of the restrictive barriers have been removed as the exercise gathers momentum and understanding grows over the importance of complying with current legislation and design requirements.
There is still a long way to go as has been experienced locally, but Sustrans and its volunteers are helping speed the process up.
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Note:
“Sustrans is the charity making it easier for people to walk and cycle. We connect people and places, create liveable neighbourhoods, transform the school run and deliver a happier, healthier commute.”
Join the journey. http://www.sustrans.org.uk/