Information Sheets from Joppa

Bletchley Cycle Routes

In July 1984, MKCUG made a submission to the plan then being drafted for Bletchley by Buckinghamshire County Council. The ideas contained in the submission were based upon improving paths in many parts of Bletchley to enable them to be used by cyclists. The plans were not developed which, in the light of subsequent experience with the Redways, can only be good.

This does not mean, however, that work to improve conditions for cyclists, and also for pedestrians, should not be considered. The emphasis has changed since 1984. Rather than creating complete routes, many experts now prefer to concentrate on the Black Spots for cyclists. The routes between these Black Spots can be on quieter roads rather than on cycle paths. It will be false economy, however, to carry out any improvements to anything less than the highest standard. Poorly constructed cycle facilities quickly become underused and/or dangerous.

I have a list of five Black Spots that I think need improvements to make them safer for cyclists and pedestrians. It so happens that they are all to the north and west of Central Bletchley. Your views and comments would be welcome, as would additional black spots to be added to the list. Comments should be sent to the Editor.

1. The Bridge on Water Eaton Road is narrow and on a hill. Although the passage of traffic through the bridge is light controlled, the shortness of the all-red sequence means that it is not unknown for cyclists to meet traffic entering the throat of the bridge, particularly for cyclists coming up the hill from Duncombe Street to the Buckingham Road. The footpath is very narrow - about 600mm through the bridge - and unless great care is taken, there is a danger that pedestrians may be struck a glancing blow by wide vehicles.

Solution - lengthening the all red phase of the lights to give cyclists and pedestrians time to clear the bridge.

2. The Buckingham Road Bridge is a dual-carriage way. The traffic levels are often high. These do not pose a particular problem to eastbound cyclists heading for Central Bletchley if they are intending to continue along Saxon Street but if they wish to turn right into Duncombe Street at the roundabout, it can be difficult to manoeuvre across the traffic lanes. A common ploy is to pull on to the pavement and use the Zebra crossing by the Park Hotel or by the Bus Station to gain access to Duncombe Street and the shopping area. For cyclists travelling the opposite way up the hill, the speed of the traffic coupled with the bus stop just to the west of the bridge can make life difficult. These difficulties are compounded if the cyclist wishes to turn right into Sherwood Drive as the weight of traffic and the uphill gradient makes it difficult to move across the lanes safely. It is common for cyclists leaving Bletchley to cross the Buckingham Road at the Zebra crossing outside The Park Hotel and ride on the footway to Sherwood Drive.

Solution - consideration should be given to converting the Zebra crossings in the vicinity of the Buckingham Road/Duncombe Street/Saxon Street junction into Toucan crossings to legitimise their use by cyclists. The access between the crossings and the roadway may also need to be improved to reduce conflict with pedestrians.

3. The Watling Street railway bridge is northwest of the Denbigh Industrial Estates. Watling Street is an old arterial road originally designed to be of three lanes one in each direction and a shared overtaking lane. The third overtaking lane has been engineered out of existence by road markings leaving either wider than normal lanes, a centre turning lane or a crawler lane. At the bridge, however, the road narrows to two lanes with the consequent danger of cyclists being squeezed.
The line of Watling Street is heavily used by cyclists travelling to and from the Denbigh Industrial Estate and Central Bletchley. Most of these people are heading to or from Denbigh Road. A narrow footpath (about 1000 mm) runs on the western side of Watling Street on both approaches. This is used by many cyclists in preference to the road. At the bridge, the footpath runs through and around the bridge abutments. On the southern edge of the bridge, however, the path virtually disappears and pedestrians and cyclists have to join the road for a short distance. The speed of traffic coupled with the poor lighting creates a potential danger to cyclists and pedestrians.

Solution - an alternative route under the railway exists to the northwest (Bridge 159 on the City map). To make it acceptable to the cyclists travelling along Watling Street, it is desirable that a path be constructed between the electricity sub-station and the railway embankment running from Bridges 158 and 159. A suitable road crossing with a traffic island would also be desirable to help cyclists to cross Watling Street in two stages and gain access to Denbigh Road.

4. The Crossing of Watling Street at Junction with Saxon Street is an at-grade crossing. It is very close to the double mini-roundabout junction. The accident record of the junction inevitably means that drivers tend to concentrate on negotiating the junction safely rather than on the pedestrians and cyclist attempting to cross Watling Street. The crossing cannot be easily avoided by anyone walking or cycling between Central Bletchley, the industrial area of Mount Farm and the residential areas further north.

Solution - there is an existing underpass linking Watling Street under Saxon Street. A similar underpass under Watling Street would be the preferred solution. A cheaper but less effective solution would be the installation of a light controlled crossing.

5. At the junction of Albert Street and Princes Way, the City Map shows the start of a Redway. This "Redway" is a joke. In addition to the Redway being very narrow and sandwiched between the backs of the Dukes Drive shops and Saxon Street, access to this Redway requires cyclists and pedestrians to dodge traffic accelerating from the Princes Street/Saxon Street roundabout and avoid traffic coming along Princes Way from the east and turning into Princes Way from Albert Street. The potential for accidents here is large. The Redway should be downgraded to a footpath between Princes Way and its junction with the Redway coming from Viscount Way.

Solution - a better crossing point is offered at the junction with North Street. This crossing is heavily used at present by cyclists using the footway and pedestrian traffic island on Princes Way. With minimal work, the crossing can be improved for all users and the use of the route by cyclists can be legalised. At the present position, the visibility to the east is poor because of the bend in Princes Way. A suitable gap in the existing wall blocking the exit from Cambridge Street to Princes Way would benefit cyclists and the re-siting of the existing traffic island further to the east would improve visibility.