BUG continues to be active on several fronts, both improving facilities for cyclists and working to prevent our lives being made more difficult and dangerous. The main campaigns at the moment are:
The Walks
We are continuing to monitor the situation in the re-vamped Walks. There are
major safety issues at all the main entrances to The Walks, none of which meet
any recognised design criteria for cycle paths. The Extons Road entrance is
particularly dangerous, as the gaps are too narrow and don't match the dropped
curbs, This one could be simply solved by opening the gates, as at the library
entrance. There are also issues with some of the new surfaces, and the layout
of the junction by St John's church. I (Rob) am in the process of producing a
full report on The Walks, to be presented at the next Cycle Forum in February.
Hardings Way and Southgates Roundabout
It has recently come to light that part of the re-design of Southgates Roundabout
includes a road across Hardings Pits on the line of the current Hardings Way foot
and cycle path. There have been plans for a busway alonside the cycle path for some
time, but this now appears to be a plan for a general motor road to the proposed
marina project and on to the South Quay. Construction of a road would mean cutting
the current main route from the South into Kings Lynn, presumably with a flat
crossing by Whitefriars School, with all the safety implications that would bring.
Needless to say, we are absolutely opposed to this, along with many local environmental
organisations. More than a few of us would be prepared to 'do a Swampy' here,
although hopefully the council will see sense before it comes to that!
An eastern route out of Kings Lynn
At the moment, almost any cycle journey east of Kings Lynn involves negotiating
a busy roundabout. We are investigating routes and sites for at least one cycle
crossing of the bypass to give better access in that direction.
I leave you with this thought:
At the moment just over 10% of journeys within Kings Lynn are made by cycle
- what percentage of the total transport budget is spent on cycling?
- less
than 2%!
Cycling is obviously good value for our council tax!