The construction of a super-sized bicycle highway along a busy A road has caused fury. It has allowed pedestrians and cyclists to have more room than trucks.
The newly renovated section of A3049 is now 33ft wide and accessible to cyclists as well as pedestrians. It’s a main route from Bournemouth in Dorset.
However, the scheme left vehicles such as lorries, vans and cars with less than 21ft space, which is a paltry 10ft 6in per vehicle.
Chiefs of Council say that the Wallisdown Road, Poole’s 9ft 5in-wide cycle lanes were designed to protect cyclists against road traffic.
They also say the new paths – installed as part of a £1million improvement scheme on a mile-long stretch of the busy A-road – will encourage more people to cycle.
However, residents are scathing about the scheme, saying that more cars are using the road than the number of cyclists using it. This criticism is common for projects such as those undertaken by Grant Shapps (Transport Secretary).
The warnings also mention that motorists are now required to use the brightly colored lanes to avoid emergency vehicles. This puts cyclists in danger.
An A-road that is crowded with cars has become a hot spot for fury over the construction of an enormous cycle road. This has provided pedestrians and bicyclists much more space than their lorries.
Criticisms of the scheme have been harsh. They claim that new bicycle highways are rarely being used by cyclists. Also, they warn that emergency vehicles are not able to see cars riding on the bicycle lane.
Two-way bicycle lanes measuring 9.5ft in width were built on each side of the busy A-road. Two pedestrian walkways are located next to the two-way cycle lanes.
Bicyclists and pedestrians can now take advantage of 33ft space on the A3049, which is an important route through Bournemouth and Dorset.
New road design has controversial results. Bicyclists and pedestrians have a total of 33ft, with a narrower carriageway that allows cars, lorries and emergency vehicles to pass.
But the critics are not limited to diehard drivers. Martin Hiscock who cycles regularly along this road to see his dad, acknowledged that they are too wide.
From Christchurch, the 41-year old said that he didn’t understand why two should be on each side of the road.
“You have lots of lorries that go up and down this street. The council is trying to control traffic so it’s safer.
Martin Hiscock regularly rides along the road in order to see his father. He admitted that they were too broad. According to Martin Hiscock, a 41-year-old from Christchurch, ‘I don’t know why there should be two on either side of the street.
“I don’t know of a bigger cycle lane. This is far too many. They’re usually about the width of a walkway.
The sea of bright red Tarmac on the A3049, which is one of the main routes into Bournemouth, Dorset, is part of a £1million plan to make travel more sustainable across south east Dorset.
The fund is independent of the controversial Transforming Cities Fund that is paying for four ‘cycleways’ linking Christchurch, Bournemouth Ferndown and Poole.
Two-way bike lanes measuring 9ft 5in in width have been placed on either side of busy A-road. They are located next to two pedestrian walkways that are approximately 7ft in width.
New road layout allows cyclists and walkers to enjoy 33ft each, while cars, buses and lorries have been reduced to only 10ft 6in per lanes.
The first part of the project, which focuses on the section between Mountbatten Arms and Benbow Crescent has been completed. A second stretch is expected to be completed in the latter half of 2022.
A 38-year-old worker at a local office said that the bike lanes were rarely used, even though the street is now more bicycle-friendly.
According to the unnamed office worker, there are far fewer bike riders than you might expect for a road this wide. The intended volume of riders is not visible.
“The entire thing is ugly and messy.”
A driver at the Territorial Army barracks across the street said that users had found the new layout confusing.
The sea of bright red Tarmac on the A3049, which is one of the main routes into Bournemouth, Dorset, is part of a £1million plan to make travel more sustainable across south east Dorset. This is distinct from the controversial Transforming Cities Fund, which also pays for four “cycle highways” connecting Christchurch, Bournemouth and Ferndown. Pictured: Road during construction. Slide right to see it now
Two-way bike lanes measuring 9ft 5in in width have been placed on either side of busy A-road. Two pedestrian paths are adjacent to the two-way cycle lanes, each measuring approximately 7 feet wide.
Driver, who requested not to be identified, stated that many people drove out of barracks and nearly hit cyclists. They didn’t know it was a cycle lane because there are no markings or signs. They ride with very few lights and it’s usually in the darkest hours of the night.
“It’s busy, with parents dropping off the cadets and soldiers coming and going. This is very dangerous. It is dangerous because of the lack of foresight and attention to detail.
Bournemouth Christchurch, Poole Council spokespersons claimed that there has been an increase of 40% in bicycle usage since new paths opened.
The Wallisdown corridor improvements were described as a safety improvement that encourages more people to cycle or walk in the vicinity.
“The length of the carriageway is between 6.4m (20ft9in) and 6.66m (21ft6in). This conforms to national standards established by the Department for Transport for safe roads for bicycling and walking. There will still be enough room for larger vehicles, such as buses and HGVs.
It will be safe for all vehicles including fire engines.
The Department for Transport standard for 2-way bicycle lanes is used to construct the cycle lanes.
“A narrower carriageway promotes lower vehicle speeds and makes them safer. This helps speed up to the reduced limit of 30mph.
“The cycle tracks can be marked with sloping gravel kerbs, which allow for general vehicles to sometimes drive onto them and provide quick and safe passage for emergency vehicles.
“Our region is suffering from severe traffic congestion. Bournemouth is third-most congested area in the UK and 56th worldwide.
Bournemouth Christchurch and Poole Council chairman Nigel Hedges said that cycle lanes were a way for cyclists to be protected from motorists.
Chairman of Bournemouth Christchurch and Poole Council Nigel Hedges stated that the cycle lanes protect cyclists against road traffic
It is impossible to fit a van in the cycle lane’s full width if it is parked there. Residents complain that the scheme makes the footpaths and cycle lanes wider together than the road.
He explained that cyclists are kept safe by the cycle lanes, which he said was necessary to prevent more accidents.
Highways England recommends at least 11ft 9in width for traffic lanes, despite the fact that there isn’t an official standard on road width in the UK.
Residents of Wimborne in Dorset took aim earlier this year at one of Britain’s longest cycle lanes.
It is approximately 11ft2in long and links buses, lorries, and emergency vehicles.
The bike lane is more than twice as long as the two-lane road but cyclists prefer the old carriageway to the new one.
Wimborne’s Dorest Market Town residents reported that lorries were cutting wing mirrors between them as they passed each other. Angering motorists shouted at cyclists and told them to use the path.
In August, a 38-year old woman who works in a garage at the B3073 said that there was more space for cyclists now than for drivers.
“We have Jewsons merchants who are on the street that the lorries use every day.
“There’s the same traffic coming in and out of town but there is half as much space.
‘Cyclists using the roads still get abuse from motorists – even drivers on the opposite side.
According to a 62-year old man, his garden was taken 60 years ago by the local council in an attempt to improve the street.
“Now, he’s perplexed at their choice to do the contrary.
He said that the council had taken our front gardens away in 1960s to widen the road. Now they are narrowing it at a time where traffic is heavier than ever.
‘People here are not very happy with the over exaggeration of the cycle path.
“We weren’t informed, and we didn’t receive any letters about the matter.” One morning, January 1, I saw that they were building it.
“A neighborhood consultation was held to find out how improvements could be made in the neighbourhood and whether there were better routes for cyclists. Many people responded, but they didn’t know the specifics of the plans.
This is a huge gamble
“It’s the main road to Wimborne, and its width could pose real problems for emergency vehicles since the layby was removed.
The 62 year-old resident of a home near the cycle path said that his garden was taken by the council sixty years ago in order to widen the street. He is now perplexed at their decision to do exactly the opposite.
Today, locals condemned the cycle lane’s’shambles. Drivers had to pull over in order to avoid colliding.
The cycle path is part of a £120million scheme to make travel more sustainable and reduce congestion in Dorset. The cycle path will run 1.4 mi and connect with a 16-mile route connecting Poole to Wimborne.
“Around 50% of vehicles on the roads are trade or heavy goods vehicles. It’s chaos. It was possible to overtake your bike in the past. Now, you cannot safely do that.
“At this time, many cyclists continue to use the carriageway due to obstructions farther down the new bike lane. They can be avoided by going into the other lane.
Last year Grant Shapps hit out at ‘unused’ cycle lanes clogging up traffic – blaming some town halls for misusing special funds for ‘green’ transport
However, the AA believes the bike lane should be made safer for cyclists. Jack Cousins, a spokesperson for the AA stated that “The cycle lane encourages drivers look out to cyclists and keep a safe distance.”
“From a design perspective, they could have created equal space for cyclists and drivers by creating a barrier or raising curb to seperate the cycle lane. It may be more popular with cyclists than the carriageway.
The cycle path is part of a £120million scheme to make travel more sustainable and reduce congestion in Dorset.
The lane will run 1.4 miles and link to the 16-mile Ferndown, Wimborne and Poole route. The lane is one of four routes being built in the county, part-funded by £100million from the Government’s Rebuilding Cities programme.
Spokesman for Dorset Council said that there were approximately 80 kms of cycle lanes and pedestrian streets being built in Dorset’s south-east. The Transforming Travel program in the area includes them.
“This programme aims to change the way that people travel. We provide safe infrastructure and encouragement to people to use alternative transport methods.
Research conducted by MailOnline last year in London, where Transport for London last year lead its own £33million scheme, showed that on Park Lane, in Mayfair, only 21 cyclists used the cycle lane as 400 cars battled past. In other areas, 18 cyclists used King Street while 45 cars used that exact stetch during the same time period.
Last year Grant Shapps hit out at ‘unused’ cycle lanes clogging up traffic – blaming some town halls for misusing special funds for ‘green’ transport.
The Transport Secretary stated that he wasn’t prepared to tolerate badly planned road closures, which led traffic to be ‘backed up.
He vented his anger at the new cycle lanes, which impose “sweeping changes” to whole communities.
It came after research conducted by MailOnline last year in London, where Transport for London last year lead its own £33million scheme, showed that on Park Lane, in Mayfair, only 21 cyclists used the cycle lane as 400 cars battled past. In other areas, 18 bicycles used King Street while 45 cars used that exact stetch during the same time period.
Mr Shapps’ comments were made in a letter sent to local councils last year, despite the fact that many of the cycle lanes were built using money from an emergency £250million fund which he himself unveiled.
No left turn: Couple are forced to pay £12.50 just to turn left out of their driveway because their home is right on the edge of London Mayor Sadiq Khan’s Ultra Low Emission Zone
A couple have told of their anger at having to pay a £12.50 ULEZ charge every time they turn left out of their driveway.
Unfortunately, George and Vera Dowler are located right at the border of low emissions zones in Eltham (south east London).
After last month’s expansion in ULEZ, they face a charge for driving their cars beyond the traffic lights close to their homes.
George Dowler and Vera Dowler are unhappy about the ULEZ expansion.
According to the couple, these cameras at traffic lights in Eltham (south east London) catch older cars
It has left to George shelling out ‘nearly £40,000’ on new vehicles while his wife Vera has been forced to park her older vehicle, which does not meet ULEZ standards, at her work’s garage around the corner.
After 32 years of living in their home in South East London, the couple found themselves on the border of the ULEZ boundaries when new rules came into effect.
Their house was in the designated zone. However, they turned left at the traffic lights and cameras to get towards the roundabout. This led them to be charged.
George said: ‘Sadiq Khan has cost me nearly £40,000 in motors.
‘I’ve had to buy a car and pay £7,000 for a new van, which is no better than the one we’ve got.
“I own a good van and can drive 5,000 miles per annum. However, vans that meet these emission standards can travel 100,000 miles.
“Who is polluting more the air, him or me?”
George and Vera Dowler are subject to a charge for driving their older vehicles past traffic lights in the vicinity of their house after last month’s expansions to ULEZ.
Vera, a worker in administration, described the situation as ‘disgusting’ and stated that she had now stopped driving her older car just around the corner.
She can thus escape from the camera perched above the traffic lights. They claim that older cars are caught right outside their house.
George said, “It’s all money.”
The air will be the same if people continue to drive their cars.
“What’s the difference in the air between here and there?”
“Also I was raised around fumes and lorries, just like many other people.
“I’m 72 and I’m still as fit as a fiddle.”
“Surely it’s not air. It must be the food that people eat. I just don’t get it all.
“I’ve got an excellent van for them if they’d like to drive it around the opposite side of this roundabout.
It has a further 10 year left and can be used by others, but I don’t have the time.
Vera also said, “What about F1 Racing?”Referring to reports that London Mayor Khan has been in negotiations to bring a Formula One track into the capital.
He was a hypocrite, she believed.
She stated, “It’s completely crazy!”
The spokesperson for Mayor of London stated that toxic air pollution causes 4,000 deaths per year in London, and stunts children’s growth. It also worsens chronic diseases such as asthma.
The ULEZ is now extended to encompass an area bordered by the North Circular and South Circular roads. The ULEZ can be separated from the Low Emission zone (LEZ), which has stricter emissions standards in place for heavy diesel engines starting on March 1, 2021
Sadiq has taken bold steps since his election as Mayor to reduce the number Londoners living near areas where nitrogen dioxide (NO2) concentrations are higher than the legally allowed limit.
The gap between those most exposed and least has shrunk by 50 percent.
’87 per cent of cars seen travelling in the expanded zone already meet the standards and to help more Londoners switch to cleaner vehicles, Sadiq has invested £61 million in scrappage schemes, which have helped replace or retrofit more than 12,000 vehicles since 2019.’
An earlier month, drivers from other areas of the border stated to the Local Democracy Reporting Service that they weren’t bothered by rule changes.