Cycling in The Walks and 'Stop Ahead'
Since The Walks in King’s Lynn was revamped a couple of years ago Rob Archer has
been monitoring cycle use and campaigning for improvements. Some of the routes
he suggests are, quote "quite frankly, death traps - particularly the gate on Extons
Road, and the Junction by the railway station".
Along with members of the King’s Lynn Bike Users Group (KLWNBUG) Rob met
with the Walks Manager, and felt progress had been made, but that there is a long way to go.
Junction 'improvements', quote from Rob "Railway Road, Lynn A year ago the Lynn Cycle Forum
was shown plans for Advanced Stop lines for cyclists to be installed at
the Railway Road / John Kennedy Road Junction, complete with 1.5m wide lead
in lanes in accordance with recognised standards. It seems that's not what we've got!
What has appeared is a short stretch of 1.2m, poorly surfaced red-top, terminating
about 80cm beyond the existing stop line. To make matters worse, the transponders
that work the lights do not extend across the 'cycle lane'! I'm still waiting for
an explanation from County Highways".
Proposed 'Public Transport Route', South Lynn - Town centre
Quote from Rob "You may have heard of this proposal, along with the possible marina plans. I am
in discussion with planners and engineers who appear to have little awareness that
this will impact on a major cycle route".
If you have views or ideas on these or any other local issues, please let Rob know. His
official area is within a 10 mile radius of King’s Lynn, but he is prepared to look at
wider issues if it impacts on journeys within West Norfolk.
The Reffley Cycleway - New link
The link from Queen Elizabeth Avenue to The Reffley path which until recently
was 'off-road' surface wise has now been surfaced. This new
link makes it easier for anyone wanting to get from Wootton Road and the Marsh
Lane Estate areas to the hospital, and not wanting or unwilling to go on-road.
Lighting on part of the Reffley Cycleway and The South Gates Roundabout
Norfolk County Council has had some money made available at short notice so is putting
lighting on part of the Reffley cycleway (probably the bits near the schools) and improving
the link between the Reffley path and Queen Elizabeth Avenue (currently a dirt track).
There are also proposals for the Southgates Roundabout. The current thinking seems
to be to replace it with a traffic-light controlled junction with 'bypass lanes'.
A main part of the plan is a new bus-only road into town following the current cycle
route at Hardings Way onto the South Quay / Millfleet road. This could result in
a very high-quality cycle route from South Lynn into town or it could be a total fudge.
Rob Archer is keeping a close eye on any proposals that come out. The chief concern is
that the bus road could become a main general road into town - particularly if the
Marina project goes ahead.
Need Input
News items needed for this page - what's going on? let us know.
Useful numbers/web-sites
For missing signs and litter/glass on the cycle paths -
cleanup@west-norfolk.gov.uk - Freephone 0500 253 2687 (may
be Answerphone) or of course there is the Hazard Report
Form (see our web-site), For deficient lighting -
Telephone: 01603 223196. (It says that the council will
forward all calls to relevant dept): streetlighting.pt@norfolk.gov.uk
Problem on a cycle path?
Anyone wishing to report a problem on a cycle path or
track (not on road/highway) might find it useful to fill in the BUG form on the Hazard Report
page which can be used for any track, path or road problems that affects cyclists.
| Glass on cycle path | 0500 2532687 |
| Fly Tipping | 0500 2532687 |
| Dumped rubbish | 0500 2532687 |
| Litter | 0500 2532687 |
| Graffiti Removal | 0500 2532687 |
| Maintenance of pavements | 0844 800 8009 |
| Potholes (roads and paths) | 0844 800 8009 |
| Road maintenance (Norfolk C.C) | 0844 800 8009 |
| Road Maintenance (Highways Angency) | 08457 504030 |
| Cycle path or track | 0844 8008020 |
| Abandoned motor vehicles | 01553 616335 |
| See also the KLWNBUG hazard form | Click here |