NEWS: Safer Primary School Access for cycling and walking
Work has commenced this week (w/c 25 July 2022) to improve safety for walking and cycling to the Primary School in Whitchurch. It has been scheduled to take place in school holidays. The area of Alliston Way is notorious for drivers mounting and driving along pavements, and parking on corners and footways, particularly during the school run. This has increased dangers to all and has also resulted in casualties.
Safer for all The scheme, one of the Whitchurch Accessibility Projects, is designed to make the area safer for all. It is being managed by Hampshire County Council with the support from Basingstoke & Deane and Whitchurch Town Councils. Funds are primarily from developers’ contributions.
The path alongside Alliston Way and the Play Area is being widened to become ‘Shared Use’ and users are to be given protection from drivers by the use of dragons teeth ‘bollards’ along the kerbside. A pull-in is also being provided to assist with the difficult sightlines that drivers have to deal with.
New school access The verge alongside McFauld Way is also to be made into a shared use path, with a raised ‘cushion’ across the entrance to Sheppard Close. This is to provide a road surface level with the path for all who have pushchairs, mobility buggies, wheelchairs, scooters and cycles. There will also be tactile paving. Pedestrian/cycle access to the school is to be around the rear of the existing garage court to avoid the daily foot/vehicle conflicts in McFauld Way.
Other changes include a better turning within McFauld Way particularly for larger vehicles visiting the school, while there will also be two additional parking spaces.
An earlier report shows the traffic problems in the area. It has taken 7 years for action – but at last something is taking place. See: A HORRIFIC 20 MINUTES
This pavement driving MUST not be allowed to happen again
Ten years after a special cycle ride one of the main suggestions has come to fruition.
A new cycle route The new cycle/foot path linking Whitchurch to Tufton and the Test valley countryside is now open. It followed years of lobbying that started with a special cycle ride in April 2012 arranged for Town, Borough and County councillors, the Mayor at the time Barry Jackman, and the cycling baronet MP Sir George Young.
Safer access to the countryside 2022 now sees a much safer access route has now been constructed joining the town to Nuns Walk at Tufton and southwards into the tranquil countryside with its chalk streams, thatched cottages and country pubs. This also leads through to the National Cycle Network route No.246 (NCN246) which follows the Test and Bourne valleys. It is also encouraging to see wild flowers starting to appear adjacent to the path, adding colour to the roadsides and providing habitats for insects and wildlife.
Cyclists are already being attracted to use the route which runs from Webbs Farm Close, along Winchester Road, past Mill Springs to a 90 degree crossing point near Clock Barn turn. It then goes under the A34 to Tufton, avoiding the necessity to cross the notorious A34 exit slip road while improving sightlines and visibility.
Part of a network With an existing cycle path at the Shuttle Street junction into Mill Springs, it also has potential to join up with the cycle route through to the new Sports pitches and Micheldever Road, as well linking into the rear of Testbourne Community School. Cycling into school or to the sports area open space from the south of town has never been easier.
The project has been funded from developers contributions and put in place as a part of a wider Whitchurch Accessibility Scheme by Hampshire County Council.
Teething problems Signage As with all schemes there are a few teething problems. The signage seems rather awry in places and there are no clear signs at the start. It would also be helpful to have Cyclist/Pedestrian crossing point warning signs when approaching the southern Winchester Road crossing from the north and also at the exit of Shuttle Street and Webbs Farm Close.
Bollards and bins Some wooden bollards have also been placed in a section near the Charlcot housing entrances which have already caused danger to some users while refuse bins have also been stored on the path. However these are all relatively minor issues and should be easy to remedy, so maybe some more friendly lobbying is required.
“It’s great…” For now the route it is a welcome addition to the area, and summed up by a recent family of cyclists heading towards the countryside with “It’s great, isn’t it”
Where it all started – April 2012 Pictured below are those who took part in the cycle ride in April 2012 to look at the town’s cycling facilities, or rather lack of them, and which kicked off the idea for the new route. It’s a good plan that has now come to fruition.
Left to right in 2012 (below): Harriet Titcomb (resident), Barry Jackman (Town Mayor), Jackie Day (Town Councillor), Claire Isbester (resident), Dave Titcomb (Town Councillor), Sir George Young (MP), Eric Dunlop (Borough Councillor), John Buckley (Hampshire Cycle Training and organiser), photo by Andrew Reeves-Hall (resident).
ABOVE: April 2012 Discussing the possible crossing point near the A34. In 2022 this was eventually provided.
ABOVE: July 2022 Cyclists using the new crossing point near the A34.
The last few weeks has seen work being carried out on donated bikes to help others enjoy the pleasure of cycling, for shopping trips, riding to work or leisure rides into the countryside.
This has included servicing of bikes which have been passed to Ukrainian refugees who have fled the horrific situation in their own country. However it also helps anyone else who wishes to take up or return to their bike.
Whitchurch Bicycle Users (BUG) undertakes a free ‘Dr Bike’ cycle safety check that can assess and highlight any work required before any expensive repairs are commissioned. The ethos driving the service is simply to help people get back on their bikes. See: DR BIKE SAFETY CHECKS
Small safety critical adjustments can be undertaken for a donation to charity, and advice is freely provided for any further work that might be needed along with independent advice on other providers.
Elsie Whip – Eh? That’s what it sounds like. The LCWIP (local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan) is now out for consultation for our area. It heavily affects Whitchurch.
A draft Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP) has been developed by Hampshire County Council, Sustrans (a charity making it easier for people to walk and cycle) and Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council.
Investment in Cycling and Walking brings benefits Hampshire County Council (HCC) and Basingstoke and Deane Borough (BDBC) want to invest in sustainable transport measures, including walking and cycling infrastructure. Research has shown that such investment repays itself many times over, including increasing the local economy. If there is no approved LCWIP it is much less likely there will be any government funding for any improvements.
The introduction states: “If we are to meet our 2050 Vision, our Climate Change Emergency targets, and our Public Health goals we need walking and cycling to be safe, direct, and attractive for everyone from ages 8 to 80+. We need our networks to be accessible to everyone and cater for the majority of users, whether they are walking with a double buggy, have a health condition or disability that makes our public spaces more difficult to use. We have been challenged in recent years by walking and cycling advocates to do better.“
This is the chance to have a say on local routes, facilities and infrastructure. What is needed in Whitchurch to help you walk or cycle? Traffic levels, speed, pavement widths, surfaces, cycle parking – they can all have an effect, but what is most important? All these can be commented upon and specific locations plotted on an online map.
“Walking and cycling are practical everyday ways of travelling, for even just part of a journey, that can help to make us healthier, happier, greener, and more equal…”
The Mill Springs sports pitch area which is to be transferred from developerDavid Wilson HomestoWhitchurch Town Councilseems to be fraught with problems and delays.
The much needed football pitches have not yet been commissioned to the dismay of players and their teams wishing to use them. Wildflower areas were missed, then planted and then inexplicably mown down. Cracks appeared in the cycle/foot path while the ‘chicane barriers’ continue to prevent access for many who have mobility issues, contravening equalities legislation.
Remedial surface work This week part of the top surface of the cycle path was removed after some test holes were made to see what was causing the cracks. It looked as if planting left under the surface had begun to break through. Around an inch of tarmac has been scraped off, in an area stretching from Micheldever Road to about halfway down the hill.
Let us hope that the remedial work is successful and that it includes removing the source of the issue and not just covering it up only for it to appear again. Will there be a guarantee on this?
Top surface has been scraped off.
No progress on ‘chicane barriers‘ Meanwhile there has been no progress on the two access points where ‘chicane barriers’ remain as hazards and obstructions. It has been brought to the attention of Whitchurch Town Council that the barriers breach the 2010 Equalities Act and do not comply with government DfT requirements (LTN 1/20) for design and construction. There are other more suitable solutions that can be used but ‘chicane barriers’ are invariably unacceptable as they discriminate against many mobility buggies, adaptive wheelchairs and disabled cycles. Such ‘chicane barriers’ are currently being removed throughout the country and have also been the subject of court action resulting in costs being awarded. But in Whitchurch they remain.
There is a very simple solution. If David Wilson Homes remedied the designs before they become the responsibility of Whitchurch Town Council it could save the Whitchurch taxpayers thousands in potential future lawsuits should there be an incident or a discrimination claim. Hampshire County Council has provided a simple low cost solution; however… We shall see if common sense prevails.
Restrictive barriers remain. At least someone added a ‘cone’ – maybe to warn users
No its not like this; at least not all of the time. Yet too often it is, with congestion, traffic danger, street furniture damaged, driving on pavements, pedestrians blocked, children at risk, cycling threatened, cracked footways and pollution… Is that what we want?
Hampshire CC’s Local Transport Plan 4 which will affect us all is out for public consultation. With Whitchurch due to grow further and with the resultant pressures there will be on the roads, rail and the environment, LTP4 really needs implementing now with over 50% of CO2 emissions coming from transport.
A really useful workshop meeting was held on Saturday (14th May) in Winchester for discussing responses to the HCC’c consultation on its Local Transport Plan 4 (LTP4), which sets Travel and related Climate Emergency policies for the next decade and onwards to 2050 – and importantly ‘putting people first’. Walking and cycling were to the fore along with reduction of car use, improvements to public transport and meeting climate change targets.
Around 40 attended the meeting, mostly in person, but also including some on Zoom with good presentations from County Councillor Martin Tod and Phil Gagg of WinACC. There followed an excellent sharing of ideas along with group working on various aspects of the proposals.
The strongest message was that this a massive opportunity for change and it needs to be grasped. Delay in dealing with the issues of Travel and Climate cannot be put off any longer.
Although there are some reservations relating mainly to the long timescale, the lack of budget commitment and unclarity on the methodology used. However the principal aims of this Plan are to be commended. PLEASE respond to the consultation. LOCAL TRANSPORT PLAN
It is not only the below-standard cycle barriers that restrict users that are causing problems, but now the path surface itself is breaking up, and that’s all before the cycle route / pathway is officially handed into public ownership.
There are now further problems developing on the Mill Springs shared Footpath/CycleWay.
Small mounds are appearing in the tarmac surface as organic material below that had not been removed is starting to push through the substandard construction. These ‘mounds’ are already starting to crack. Over the winter any water in them will freeze and expand, breaking up the surface further and creating a danger not only for cycling but also as a trip hazard to pedestrians and anyone with sight or mobility impairments.
The issue has been brought to the attention of Whitchurch Town Council as this should really be remedied before the path is handed over from the developer into public ownership.
If not dealt with now it may result in expensive maintenance and repair costs as well as potential legal claims which could then fall on local residents to pay. Most are starting to appear at the top end of the site but they are appearing lower down too.
The longer it is left the worse it will become.
Below – just some of the cracks already appearing.
“A new trial scheme will test how a healthier and safer environment for young people walking and cycling to school could be achieved. It will create low traffic areas at the start and end of the school day…”
Hampshire County Council is running a trial at three schools where streets close to schools will be closed to non-essential traffic at drop-off and pick-up times.
Could the roads near the Primary School in Whitchurch benefit from such a scheme?
HCC say:
The closures will be managed by trained stewards in high-visibility vests between 08.15 – 09.00 hours and 14:30 -15.30 hours approximately. “
“Certain exemptions apply, including anyone cycling, residents, emergency services, school transport, blue badge holders, deliveries, businesses within affected area of the street and carers of residents on the street. Any parking restrictions will operate as normal. Unless exempt, parents will not be permitted to drive into the closure zone to drop off or pick up their children.
School traffic around the two Whitchurch schools is known to be notorious for speeding traffic, blockage of drives, parking on and driving along the pavements and drivers leaving engines idling.
If the trials in Farnham, Gosport and Holbury in the New Forest are successful it is hoped to roll out schemes throughout the County.
As part of a Highway Code review in perhaps one of the most long-awaited developments, a new hierarchy of priority has been announced by the Department for Transport.
Could this benefit some of the traffic problems in Whitchurch?
The hierarchy places pedestrians at the top and the heaviest and potentially most lethal road users at the bottom. To see such a principle introduced could see major benefits for those who travel around Whitchurch which suffers from narrow pavements, poor crossings, speeding traffic, HGVs and a lack of cycle facilities.
With reference to cycling, a DfT statement said “car drivers will be responsible for ensuring cyclists are safe, while cyclists will be responsible for looking out for pedestrians ”, adding that the hierarchy “does not remove the need for all road users to behave responsibly.”
Is this one of the worst fails for a barrier on a cycle path?
It has already been noted that the barriers installed on the Mill Springs shared Cycle/Pedestrian path cannot be used by a number of users, yet they still remain.
The chicane restrictions are an accessibility nightmare for cycles using a trailer or a family tagalong. They could also restrict work bikes, tandems, hand cycles and tricycles, and that’s before the needs of mobility scooters are considered. Double buggies are also likely to be hindered.
Barriers do not reach the design standards for accessibility:
1.DfT Local Transport Note LTN 1/20: The barriers fail the Government's published design guidance (LTN 1/20) that states very clearly that:
“Access control measures, such as chicane barriers and dismount signs, should not be used.”
2.Basingstoke and Deane’s Cycling Strategy states:
“Users of specialised equipment – includes users of trailers, trailer cycles, tandems and tricycles, as well as disabled people using hand cranked machines. This group requires wide facilities free of sharp bends and an absence of pinch points or any other features that force cyclists to dismount.”
3. Furthermore the barriers fail to comply with the legal requirements of the 2010 Equalities Act.
“The first requirement is a requirement, where a provision, criterion or practice of A’s puts a disabled person at a substantial disadvantage in relation to a relevant matter in comparison with persons who are not disabled, to take such steps as it is reasonable to have to take to avoid the disadvantage.“
Dismounting is a substantial disadvantage and not an option for the majority of users of adaptive cycles, such as handcycles, trikes and so on, and requiring a dismount for users of such ‘cycles’ is a contravention of EA2010 S.20(3)(4), and constitutes an act of direct discrimination under Equality Act 2010, Section 21.
4. Another question is being asked – was an Equalities Impact Assessment undertaken? Basingstoke & Deane Borough Council as the planning authority should be able to provide that, but haven’t.Why? Because they didn't!
THE ABOVE NEEDS ADDRESSING AND CAN BE – SIMPLY. WE ARE BEING LET DOWN
Maintenance and Emergency Access But another problem is occurring especially at the western end near the sports changing rooms. The installation is also restricting access to maintenance and other vehicles for the three sports pitches. While there are two bollards that can be unlocked to allow access, vehicles are then confronted with the staggered barriers across the path. These vehicles are taking to the surrounding grassed areas, completely destroying it and creating a stony bare unsightly eyesore – and when it rains stones and mud get washed down into the road below causing additional hazards. What will happen when emergency vehicles need to reach the Sports pitches is going to be a major problem.
Grass is dead/worn away. Grass and flowers to the left, mud and stones to the right.
Can anything be done? Yes. The area is currently under the management of Mill Springs developer David Wilson Homes, but will soon pass into the ownership and responsibility of the Whitchurch Town Council. This should be remedied before that takes place. Let us hope that before the site is handed into public ownership this issue is resolved or future costs may rest on local residents. It has also been suggested that should anyone fall trying to negotiate the barriers it could also lead to potential injury claims.
The solution would seem to be a very simple one; remove the superfluous staggered barriers both here and at the other end; retain lockable bollards to retain access for service vehicles; make access to all legitimate users possible; comply with requirements of the 2010 Equality Act, and remove the need for maintenance vehicles to churn up the grass. Sorted. Except it isn’t, at least not yet.
NATIONALLY Its not just local routes that suffer such poor designs but also the Sustrans led National Cycle Network. Listen to hand cyclist Ellis Palmer, then look at the barriers in Whitchurch at Micheldever Road end of the Mill Springs path (pic below): Link to Video: BARRIERS ON NATIONAL ROUTES(Sustrans / Ellis Palmer)
Micheldever Road end – Substandard design makes it virtually impossible to negotiate safely by cycles or mobility scooter without leaving the path.
Owned by family brewers Arkell’s, the White Hart provides excellent food, drinks, and accommodation, with a very friendly welcome and is highly recommended. Dedicated cycle parking is low in the town after the Town Council removed parking provision from the centre although it is looking to relocate it elsewhere. That exercise is believed to be ongoing.
An important requirement by those who cycle is that parking should be very close to and convenient to where they are visiting. The White Hart achieves this with the parking incorporated into its new outdoor area. A visit to the White Hart should not be missed.
Hampshire County Council has launched a new grant scheme, to encourage organisations and businesses, to promote cycling as an alternative and environmentally friendly way to get to work.
THIS COULD BE GOOD FOR WHITCHURCH
The Workplace Cycle Parking Grant and E-Bike (Electric Bike) Loan scheme enables organisations and businesses to apply for a grant to install safe and sheltered workplace parking or an E-Bike loan that employees can make use of.
The deadline for applications is 13th August 2021 and organisations can apply online.
£150,000 has been allocated for the grant scheme which has come from the Department for Transport’s £3.28 million Active Travel Fund.
Organisations that will be able apply for a Workplace Cycle Grant or E-bike loan are:
• Individual organisations; • Groups of two or more organisations e.g., a retail park; • NHS and other health care providers; • Schools, colleges, and other educational providers; • Charities and community interest companies; • Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprises; and • Limited companies.
Has anyone used the new Shared Cycle/Pedestrian path at Mill Springs in Whitchurch?
‘Chicane’ barriers have been erected at each end that are making it difficult for a number of users. (click on pics to enlarge)
Micheldever Road ‘chicane’ barriers.
Staggered ‘chicane’ railings have been placed on the David Wilson Homes development that are causing access issues making the route less convenient and appealing to those it is supposed to cater for.
These are especially awkward for those with pushchairs, prams, wheelchairs or using mobility scooters, as well as for larger cycles such as tandems, tricycles, cargo bikes or those with the popular family trailers and tagalongs. For some the barriers make it impassable. While there has not been a legal case they may also be breaking the requirements of the 2010 Equality Act.
The picture at the Micheldever Road end shows that some people are avoiding the barriers by going around them. That of course is not possible for some with mobility scooters or with less manoeuverable cycles. There has even been an attempt to block this desire line, with installation of a ‘bollard bodge’.
Mill Spring ‘chicane’ barriers.
Meanwhile at the other end of the path, by the new changing rooms, there are also barriers and bollards, again with similar access issues. Here there are two removable bollards which are fine for controlling access by motor vehicles, but then another ‘chicane’ barrier. The result is that maintenance vehicles have been churning up the grass to go around the staggered barriers. Why was this placed here? It would be useful to hear the thinking!
Such chicane barriers are being removed in parts of the country – yet here in Whitchurch they are installed. Whitchurch should, and can, do better.
Work has commenced this week (w/c 25 July 2022) to improve safety for walking and cycling to the Primary School in Whitchurch. It has been scheduled to take place in school holidays.
Elsie Whip – Eh? That’s what it sounds like.
