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Environment Friendly Transport News from Milton Keynes
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| Roundabout Risks V6/H6 Junction | ||
Kevin Jory replies to a Council request for comment...
Steve Thank you for allowing the group to comment on the plans to re-introduce the dedicated left turn lane again this year. As you know, we have many reservations on the scheme as noted below. The safety audit carried out two years ago noted that the scheme would increase the risk to cyclists. I see this in at least three places. 1) On entry from H6 Childs Way from the West, traffic going straight on needs to move over to the right hand lane. This is a bad move for all slow moving vehicles and particularly for cyclists as the move leaves them unprotected in the middle of the road. This is worse than a normal left turn lane as traffic on the left will be moving much faster. 2) On entry from H6 Childs Way turning right into V6 Grafton Gate it is almost impossible to be in the correct lane. Traffic will use the right hand lane for this and be in conflict with vehicles in the left hand lane as it leaves the roundabout. 3) After exiting into V6 Grafton Gate it is then difficult to move into the left hand lane with dedicated lane traffic passing on the left. This would affect all road users intending to access Homebase and Argos. The council has supported the Park and Ride system at the Bowl for two years now, with and without the dedicated lane. Casual observations (I use this roundabout daily) would suggest that the benefit to bus users has been slight. However, it would also suggest that the main beneficiaries have been car drivers. Even on roundabouts with enough space, the use of left turn lanes has been seen to be a bad move and some, notably at Newport Pagnell, have had to be removed. I would suggest that this scheme will suffer the same fate. Could you please take on board these views and arguments. For the general good, not just for cyclists, the scheme should not go ahead. Many thanks. Kevin Jory |
