Cycled the section from Barwick Rd roundabout down to Killingbeck in East Leeds this morning as i had to go to Britains Biggest bike Retailer to collect an order.
I've posted my concerns about this before and now the downhill section (on the Cross gates side of the A64) appears finished I thought I'd give it a go.
As a cyclist I really don't want to be overly critical of it, but it's not good is it?
In many places on this relatively short section, the CSH is too narrow for two bikes to safely pass each other. It wanders about, with a couple of excessively tight turns, and although cyclists have priority crossing the side roads coming down the hill, when you get to the Shell filling station / Kwik Fit (just where a conflict is likely due to more cars crossing the CSH) it appears to be a free for all with no markings to indicate who has right of way.
Anyone who is capable of any speed (which is pretty much any competent cyclist considering it's all downhill) is going to try it and then go back to riding on the dual carriageway, risking the ire of the 'get on the cycle path' brigade. And given the nature of the route it's hardly likely to appeal to leisure cyclists who have other alternatives locally.
coming back up the hill, there is a really good mini-slip road joining the CSH from Foundry lane, which is excellent, but then the faults of the other side of the road are all repeated. It's too narrow in too many places for a start. The quality of the work in a lot of areas isn't great and the 'uphill' section still isn't finished with the council working by the fire station again today.
despite the section by Aldi being apparently finished, it spits you across the mouth of the junction of Old York Rd / Barwick Road where the road markings still haven't been updated, making it dangerous even if you're paying attention, then a few more narrow chicanes and three different choices of path on the corner by the roundabout. The CSH then dips onto the estate road to climb the hill (which is fair enough), but then where it crosses the grass verge between Stock Approach and Hansby Drive, it's wider than the road it joins!
Final comment, where it leaves you to cross the dual carriageway at York Rd by the Windmill roundabout is also poorly designed, unclearly marked and presents a danger to users.
This should be a great route to hold up as an example of what can be achieved as a purpose built dedicated cycle route, but there are far too many faults and compromises in it.
I know it's wrong, but hell, nobody is cycling in the bloody thing!
