When it comes to crossing the docks, we are thinking long-term. It’s not that we can’t get into town at all, but we’re thinking about ways to encourage more people to get onto their bikes. Making good routes around the local area is going to be a big part of that, so we naturally want to follow the best advice available – in this case, that’s LTN 1/20.
LTN 1/20, ‘Cycle Infrastructure Design’ was published in 2020, and is the latest guidance on how local authorities should design and build for good cycling. It also considers other road users like drivers and pedestrians, helping everyone to get along harmoniously.
The overarching theme is the five ‘core design principles’: “Networks and routes should be
- Coherent;
- Direct;
- Safe;
- Comfortable and
- Attractive.”
Cycling along Chilton Street is fraught with hazards at the best of times. What we propose is upgrading the existing path along the river bank to make it suitable for cycling. But once you reach the docks, a good bridge would make your journey much more direct, comfortable and attractive. It would also improve safety, as there would be far fewer conflicts – at present, cyclists either have to share the road with motor traffic, or the narrow ‘lock gate’ bridge with pedestrians, both of which are less than ideal.
Not only that, but the current arrangement doesn’t cater for everyone. LTN 1/20 says: “Infrastructure must be accessible to all and the needs of vulnerable pedestrians and local people must be considered early in the process to ensure schemes are supported locally in the long term. The Equality Act 2010 requires public sector authorities to comply with the Public Sector Equality Duty in carrying out their functions. This includes making reasonable adjustments to the existing built environment to ensure the design of infrastructure is accessible to all.”
What this means is that a new route must allow hand cycles, tricycles, wheelchairs and mobility scooters to use it easily, as well as ordinary bicycles.
What are your thoughts? Let us know what you think!
