How to get the council to take notice ... and actually DO something!!

[XmisterIS]

There's a straight stretch of rural road near me that used to be nat. speed limit. Recently the council have slapped a 40 limit on it (for reasons that I cannot fathom - it runs through farmland!) They have also put those blasted chicane things all down it, there's about five of them.

The chicanes have turned what was a nice, safe road into a dangerous road.

Why?

Two reasons:

1. The chicanes don't have give way signs or traffic priority signs on them, with the result that when there's two cars coming in opposite directions, they often both try to floor it to get through before the other one (because it's anybody's guess who has priority in the road).

2. The chicanes go all the way to the kerb, without a gap for cyclists. The result is that the cyclist is forced to move out into traffic each time a chicane is encountered. This makes the road unbelievably dangerous for cyclists (I've seen a few near-misses already), where before it was wide and relatively safe - even though cars were bombing past at 60mph, at least they had lots of overtaking room!


Now, I wrote a letter to the council pointing out these two facts and asking why the blue blazes they've done what they've done, and that it truly beggars belief. They just sent me a stock, "we are continually striving to make the roads safer", type of letter which, frankly, I considered to be insulting because they hadn't addressed a single one of the points that I'd raised in my letter - their reply had the air of someone who has cast a cursory glance over my letter and couldn't be bothered to write a decent reply.

So ... any suggestions on how to get the muppets to take notice?

 

[her_welshness]

You can either contact them again and ask for further clarification about the points that you have raised, or I would suggest contacting your cycling officer. Things can be undone!

I agree with you, these nonsensical road designs have created more harm than good over the years - the person who created them should be taken outside and shot quite frankly.

 

[XmisterIS]

Ah!

There lies the problem you see ... we don't actually have a cycling officer ... in fact, we haven't even got anybody who is even remotely responsible for cycling! When you look at the website, cycling is lumped in with town planning - in other words, it's just an afterthought. And when you click on the "cycling strategy" link, it just comes up with "page not found". I pointed all of this out in the letter too, and they couldn't care less.

 

[pshore]

I've had a similar 'improvement' on my commute.

I got in contact with my local councillor who happens to be cycle friendly. If yours has some sympathy they can go direct to the right people in the right department and ask questions.

Something I have learned through this is that there are at least two safety audits (not sure if this process is specific to my council) before and after the road change. These audits are not very sophisticated but you need to at the very least get your comments and experiences submitted to be part of that audit process.

As far as I can work out, it is very difficult to make your council adhere to DfT guidelines for road design even where it is very plain (eg don't put in cycle lanes less than 1.5m unless you have an extremely good reason). My nearest cycle campaign group (cambridge 1000 members) has been trying for years to influence cycle facility design and they have to work very hard to get success and they don't always win either.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

Simple as. First step, write to the Cheif Executive, cc'ing your local councillor and your local MP, explaining your concerns and ask to see the risk assesment that they did prior to putting in the chicanes, i.e. what problem were they trying to fix and what consideration was given to risks that might arise from implementing the scheme in its current form, Ask also to see all the documentation relating to the scheme and what it is intended to acheive and ask them to demostrate how it complies with Highways Agency and other national standards. Playing the Freedom of Information card may be necessary.

Then see what they have to say.

They would not be the first LA to implement the groundworks only to put the signage in months later, cos the money was overspent. (and vice versa)

 

[classic33]

Try your local highways department.

If you feel that they have made the road more dangerousby what they have done, include the Road Safety Office as well. Making certain in any letter written that you have also sent one to the other office. You may then get them "fighting" to address the problem.

 

[Arch]

There's a straight stretch of rural road near me that used to be nat. speed limit. Recently the council have slapped a 40 limit on it (for reasons that I cannot fathom - it runs through farmland!) They have also put those blasted chicane things all down it, there's about five of them.

The chicanes have turned what was a nice, safe road into a dangerous road.

Why?

Two reasons:

1. The chicanes don't have give way signs or traffic priority signs on them, with the result that when there's two cars coming in opposite directions, they often both try to floor it to get through before the other one (because it's anybody's guess who has priority in the road).

If the chicanes are to one side, then it's not guess work at all. The car which has the obscruction on it's side, gives way. The same applies to streets with parked cars in. I assume the chicanes alternate sides? We have several of this sort in York.

Of course, one would have to have some idea of the Highway Code etc to know theis, so yes, most drivers probably do have to guess. Although it ought to be instinctive - there's a blockage on your side, you don't pass it until it's safe. And the point of traffic calming is supposed to be to make people slow down and think - sadly, that fails because of the low number of braincells owned by many drivers, so that speeding up is easier than thinking.

If there's no cut through for bikes, that's a more serious issue. And I can understand that the chicanes are counter productive, it's not the chicanes' fault, it's the lousy drivers.

 

[PBancroft]

XmisterIS - PM me with your contact details. I'll put you in touch with a few people. Not promising miracles, but when I'm back in the office I'll dig out a few names.

EDIT: Before people jump on me, I work in IT. I have very little to do with real work the Council does.

 

[Sheffield_Tiger]

Sounds like a case of the classic mindset "we reduced the speed limit so it's OBVIOUSLY safer (put fingers in ears lalalalala)"

 

[XmisterIS]

Arch - you are quite correct, but these chicanes are the ones that come half-way into the road from each side - so there's half an obstruction on each side of the road! Carnage ...

User - I tried my local council, you're right I should go to the county council.

Kaipath - I will pm you, thanks

 

[downfader]

Arch - you are quite correct, but these chicanes are the ones that come half-way into the road from each side - so there's half an obstruction on each side of the road! Carnage ...

User - I tried my local council, you're right I should go to the county council.

Kaipath - I will pm you, thanks

Oh the old double pinch point.

BTW what road is this? Might be worth getting video evidence.

 

[PpPete]

let us know where in Hampshire... and we'll all visit, take photos, write to Council

 

[downfader]

let us know where in Hampshire... and we'll all visit, take photos, write to Council

+1. Even if I dont know where it is I might be able to get a lift down there from someone who knows.

 

[XmisterIS]

It's the road past titchfield down to Warsash or Bursledon (I think) ... I will ride it next time I'm there and tell you exactly!

 

[GrumpyGregry]

[QUOTE 1303875"]
Is there a vacancy then? www.hampshire.gov.uk seems to suggest that there is a cycling officer.

Sarah Walker, East Hampshire's Cycling Development Officer, who works in partnership with East Hampshire District Council and is funded by the Big Lottery?

Sorry, I don't know exactly where you live.
[/quote]

District council cycling officers have even less power than county council ones in this context