I attended a meeting last night at which the County’s transport planning officers set out some options for improvements to Old Road. There is £90K developer funding available to make improvements for cyclists and pedestrians, and it may be possible to obtain some extra funding in a bid to Sustrans for some of options 2 and 3. The planners are talking to representatives from all different agencies and groups including those representing cyclists and pedestrians, and local residents’ groups. Further consultation will follow later.

I thought I would outline some of the suggested options here. An overall aim is to encourage people back onto their bikes by enabling them to feel confident and safe when cycling to school and work.

Option 1

• Install zebra crossing between Bickerton Rd/Stapleton Rd across Old Road
• Install dropped kerb outside Old Rd cycle/pedestrian entrance
• Shared use cycle path from Old Rd entrance to the NOC to Windmill Rd junction
• Off-carriageway shared use cycle path in eastern part of Old Road
• Short section of cycle by-pass leading to northbound Windmill Rd cycle lane
• Remove centre line in Old Road except for Windmill Rd and Gipsy Lane junctions
• Upgrade crossing facilities at Windmill Rd/Slade/Old Rd junction
• Advisory cycle lane on Old Rd westbound from the Slade to Roosevelt Drive

Option 2

• Cycle by-pass at Gipsy Lane lights leading to a shared use path to Finch Close
• Entry treatment at Valentia Road to give priority to pedestrians and cyclists
• Shared use pavement off-carriageway between NOC entrance and Windmill Rd
• Advisory cycle lane (see last point in option 1)

Option 3

• Cycle by-pass (see top bullet point in option 2)
• Off-carriageway shared use path Gipsy Lane to Windmill Road (west-east)
• Side road entry treatements on all side roads from Gipsy Lane to Windmill Road
• Footway delineation lines at NOC entrance to formalise junction
• Improvements to Old Road/Windmill Road junction(see options 1 and 2 above)
• Advisory cycle lane (see last point in option 1)

Other points that were raised included: should this not be linked in with a longer term transport plan?, would it be better to spend all the money on the single most dangerous part of Old Road?, should we look at a cycle by-pass from the Slade into Old Road?, how do we reconcile the differences in height between cyclists on a higher shared path and motorists below? would it be better to hang onto the money and wait till a later funding source becomes available?

Which option do you prefer? Please click the comments box below the subject line and let us know your views.