Coventry Council is proposing to replace the Canal Basin pedestrian bridge over the ring road. The bridge links St. Nicholas Road / Canal Basin with Bishop Street.
Details of proposals: part1 part2 (pdfs).
James Avery has written a post on the issue.
Here's the contents of a letter from myself, published in the Coventry Telegraph on 13 March 2015:
The canal basin bridge over the ring road is not fit for purpose.
A safe cycle route between the canal basin and Bishop Street is
needed. Cycling is banned on the pedestrian bridge as it's too narrow.
Few dare to cycle across the Radford Road or Foleshill Road roundabouts.
At the Bishop Street end, the gradient causes trouble for wheelchair users and pram pushers. It's too steep.
This is not just about existing cyclists. Many more people would
cycle if the routes were felt to be safe and convenient. But few are
prepared to cycle on the roads as they currently exist. More cycling
would mean improved public health and more efficient use of space. Cycle
paths have seven times the carrying capacity of lanes dedicated to
private cars.
A surface crossing is, perhaps, not the right answer. It would cause
delay to motorists, pedestrians and cyclist alike. Has the council
looked at an underpass for walkers & cyclists? What about a new,
better bridge, perhaps with a spiral ramp at the city end?
Please! No new underpasses in Coventry. We should be getting rid of them. Why chase pedestrians and cyclists underground? You say a surface crossing is not the right answer because 'it would cause a delay for motorists'. So what? Cars should expect to have to stop and start in a successful city. The crossing would be very close to the Junction 1 roundabout where motorists already have to stop and start. It would be a step towards civilising the ring road.
ReplyDeleteA surface crossing would delay pedestrians and cyclists alike.
ReplyDelete