Kirknewton to Livingston - route A using route 75

Cycle Review of NCN Route 75: Kirknewton - Livingston Kirknewton Community Development Trust

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CSSC05 Cycle Review Plans Kirknewton-Livingston Route A TJP Page 1 of 37 transport initiatives

Plans of Cycle Review of NCN Route 75: Kirknewton - Livingston

Route A – Using NCN 75 Plan 1 Kirknewton to level crossing Plan 2 Level crossing to St Pauls School Plan 3 St Pauls School to North Bridge Plan 4 North Bridge to ASDA Livingston

© Transport Initiatives LLP 2011

All photos © Transport Initiatives except where stated

All mapping based upon Ordnance Survey material with the permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of the Controller of Her Majesty’s Stationery Office © Crown copyright. Unauthorised reproduction infringes Crown copyright and may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings. West Lothian Council Licence no 100037194 2011


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Plan 1 – Kirknewton to level crossing

1.1 Cycle Parking

1.2 Cycle Parking

1.3 Sign

1.4 Right turn

1.5 Crossing

1.6 Cycle lane

1.7 20 Zone

1.8 Cycle

parking

1.9 Crossing

1.10 Cycle

lanes

1.11 Signs

1.12 Surface

1.13 30 mph

limit


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Table 1 Kirknewton to Level Crossing

Ref Issue – no cycle parking at Community Development centre Ref Issue – no cycle parking for local shops or formal crossing to shops between parked cars

1.1

1.2

Recommendation Opportunity for cycle parking along side of

Community Development Trust building Recommendation -Opportunity for cycle parking outside shops and

to install a speed table with build outs to slow traffic and help people cross the road


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Ref Issue –Sticker Signing for route easy to miss & two poles near each

other Ref Issue – Awkward right turn from main road into side road with no

signing and drivers will not be expecting cyclists to turn here 1.3

1.4

Recommendation Use bigger sign and relocate bus timetable with shelter to reduce clutter

Recommendation Extend drop crossing back to gully so Level 1 cyclists can turn left onto pavement and wait to cross road into side road link. May be safer for more experienced cyclists to use road junction to turn right rather than make the right turn here.


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Ref Issue – good crossing on speed table of side road and no priorities

shown to either user Ref Issue – Cycle lane widths at 1.2m too narrow and encourage vehicles

to travel too close to cyclists who are trained to cycle at least 1.0m out from the kerb. Lanes in poor condition with grit and other debris in them

1.5

1.6

Recommendation - Either a) leave as it is or b) consider putting give way markings on road each side of crossing so that pedestrians and cyclists have priority

Recommendation - Either widen cycle lanes to at least 1.5m given that cycle training encourages cyclists to cycle 1.0m out from the kerb or remove the down hill lanes and widen the uphill one.


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Ref Issue – 20 mph zone by school only part time and parking in cycle

lanes which are too narrow and poor condition Ref Issue – cycle parking at school in good location and being used

1.7

1.8

Recommendation - Make 20 mph permanent with more speed cushions at start of zone and remove cycle lanes in this section if parking persists or talk to school about staff parking on main road.

Recommendation - Consider covering cycle parking to protect cycles from weather and improve security


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Ref Issue – Build out narrows road and does not slow traffic at

School crossing patrol site Ref Issue – Cycle lane too narrow by island and along this section

and accumulating debris in cycle lane 1.9

1.10

Recommendation - Consider installing a speed table at build outs to ensure traffic is travelling slowly at crossing point to assist school crossing patrol cross children to and from school

Recommendation - Sweep grit out of cycle lane in short term and consider if cycle lanes of any benefit on this section as too narrow and consider removing them.


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Ref Issue – Cycle signs cannot easily be read from this direction – can

be seen while coming out of station Cycle lane in poor condition and stops short of level crossing

Ref Issue – Poor road surface on edge of level crossing which could be a hazard to cyclists.

1.11

1.12

Recommendation – consider rotating sign for East Calder around a bit on lamppost so it can be seen from road as well Cycle lane – consider if substandard width cycle lane is necessary down hill and remove.

Recommendation – make good surface edge so safe to cycle over


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Ref 1.13

Issue – 30 mph limit starts near a junction then changes to 20 zone around the corner

20 Mph zone in York with 20 roundel on road and speed cushions at the start of the scheme.

Recommendation – consider extending 20 mph zone up to 30 mph signs and install speed cushions by refuge and at start of zone


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Plan 2. Kirknewton Level Crossing to St Pauls School

2.1 Push button

2.2 Crossing

2.3 Crossing

2.4 Vegetation

2.5 Crossing

Lane widths

2.6 Right turn

2.7 Signing

2.8 Surface

2.9 Parking

2.10 Junction

width

2.11 Alternative

route to schools

2.12 Crossing


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Table 2. Kirknewton Level Crossing to St Pauls School

Ref Issue – Push button at signal crossing in awkward position to press while on a cycle

Ref Issue – Crossing – takes a long time to cross road and there is no tactile paving to help partially sighted people recognise there is a crossing here.

2.1

2.2

Recommendation – move push button around to face traffic and

make it easier to push while waiting to cross Recommendation - review signalled crossing times for crossing and

install tactile paving


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Ref Issue – Crossing very wide and time to cross very long and no tactile paving

Ref Issue – Vegetation is starting to grow onto cycle path and is narrowing it

2.3

2.4

Recommendation – review crossing times to see if they can be improved and consider installing central island to aid crossing in 2 stages and install tactile paving

Recommendation – cut back vegetation


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Ref Issue – Route crosses road which has very narrow traffic lanes and narrow footway

Ref Issue – Right turn onto NCN 75 – very awkward right turn required to access cycle track on farm path – this is not a manoeuvre that a Level 1 or 2 cyclist would be advised to do on this road

2.5

2.6

Recommendation – while this section of road is suitable for Level 3 cyclists it is not for Level 1 and 2 so the section path is a bit isolated

Recommendation – consider if this turn really is a safe option given that the farm track is in poor condition as well. An alternative path is available a bit further into East Calder on a path by the side of the sports centre which has a signalled crossing by it


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Ref Issue – Signing – cycle route signing is good as it has destinations and distance to them but the path it directs cyclists onto is not well surfaced or lit so is not a very attractive option

Ref Issue – Surface quality – very poor surface along farm track and path which is unmade, rutted with many potholes, puddles and is unlit so not suitable to use at nighttimes’.

2.7

2.8

Recommendation – consider if this is the best option to sign cyclists as track surface is poor and it is unlit so not available at night

Recommendation – reconsider if this is the best way to sign route to schools given its poor quality


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Ref Issue – Parking at school times narrows road Ref Issue – Junction width – very wide side road to cross at Station Road and the B7031 which feels dangerous to cycle across and is also very far to cross on foot

2.9

2.10

Recommendation – encourage parents to walk and cycle to school to reduce road danger outside school and consider another route to the school via surfaced roads and tarmac paths see 2.11

Recommendation – consider tightening up left turn out of junction and or installing large refuge crossing in middle of junction to help cyclists and pedestrians cross the junction


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Ref Issue – alternative route to school – using tarmac path by Sports centre which is lit and overlooked by more houses than farm track

Ref Issue – Signalled crossing to help cyclist cross to path by sports centre easier to use than right turn by farm track

2.11

2.12

Recommendation – consider re signing the NCN down this path which has a better surface and is more useable at nigh time than the existing route.

Recommendation – consider resigning NCN from here as crossing easier and path in better condition


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Plan 3. St Pauls to North Bridge

3.1 Narrow

road

3.4 Gate

3.2 Sign

3.7 Track

width

3.8 Headroom

3.6 Gradient &

turns

3.9 Gradient

& turn

3.12 &13 Gradients

Odours!

3.10 Surface

3.3 Signs

3.5 Surface

3.11 Vegetation


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Table 3. St Pauls School to North Bridge Ref Issue – Narrow road with 3 short road humps which are

uncomfortable to cycle over and not very visible Ref Issue – Sign for shared use path obscured by vegetation

3.1

3.2

Recommendation – install standard road hump with arrow markings

which would be more visible and comfortable to cycle over and more effective at slowing traffic

Recommendation - Cut back vegetation or relocate sign onto side of litter bin to reduce street clutter


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Ref Issue– Signing for NCN route on lamppost across road not easy to

read from shared use cycle path Ref Issue– Gate Access – paving suggests a 90 degree turn required to

use cycle gap. Cyclists overrunning grass verge to access gap on desire line

3.3

3.4

Recommendation – relocate cycle signs to this side of the road Recommendation – replace gate with a number of bollards whose

central one can be removed for vehicle access and which would be easier to cycle and walk through


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Ref Issue– Surface – good path surface and nice tree lined avenue but

this route is not lit at nighttimes which would be an issue for some users

Ref Issue– Gradient and sharp left turn – quiet a steep gradient down to bridge with a sharp left turn for cycle route. Coming up hill it is hard to continue cycling momentum resulting in dismounting

3.5

3.6

Recommendation – make clear on leaflets and information about

NCN 75 that the route is not lit over this section Recommendation – show gradients on route information


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Ref Issue– Track width at bridge – very substandard path width of

less than 0.5m on bridge approach with right angle railings which could be run into and cause an accident

Ref Issue– Low Headroom on bridge – tall cyclists very likely to hit spars across bridge which are a hazard and there are no warning signs

3.7

3.8

Recommendation – widen track to at least 2.0m by decking over stream, remove railings on approach and replace with less angular railings or post and rail with reflective material in them.

Recommendation – replace spars with a curved design to give better clearance or remove them if not needed or put up warning signs


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Ref Issue– Gradient and turn – short sharp gradient with turn at top

onto bridge another awkward or challenging manoeuvre on route Ref Issue– Poor path surface – cracked and uneven concrete slabs on

bridge approach a potential hazard 3.9 3.1

0

Recommendation – regrade slope to get a less steep gradient and

reconsider if this is the best route to sign Recommendation – remove broken slabs and resurface bridge

approach


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Ref Issue– Vegetation blocking path Ref Issue– Gradient – section so steep that cyclists dismount signs

have been put up – rather defeating the purpose of the cycle route 3.11

3.12

Recommendation – remove vegetation. Incidentally the person in the

foreground was the only person seen along the route during the audit. Recommendation – reconsider if this route should be signed as a

cycle route on the National Cycle Network given the number of Issues along it.


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Ref Issue– Gradients and Odours – very steep gradient with steps with

cyclists dismount signs either side of this section of path by sewerage works which smelt unpleasant. Both make the route less attractive

3.13

Recommendation – investigate if a flatter route following the river

can be used for this section or reconsider if this is the best route alignment given the number of times it requires cyclists to dismount


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Plan 4. North Bridge to ASDA

4.2 20 Mph zone

4.4 Flooding

4.7 Surface

4.5 Signing

4.6 Signing

4.8 Vegetation

4.9 Signing

4.10 Barriers

4.11 Crossing

4.12 Crossing 4.13 & 14 Signing

4.15 Wall

4.16 Crossing

4.23 Cycle parking

4.17 Vegetation

4.18 & 19 Crossings

4.20 Ramp

4.21 & 22 Crossing

4.3 Barrier 4.1 Dismount Sign


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Table 4. North Bridge to ASDA Ref Issue – Sign – cyclists dismount sign at crossing presumably

due to poor forward visibility but road easy to cross off peak and cyclists will be approaching at slow speed due to need to turn

Ref Issue – Speed Limit signing – 20 roundel on road an effective signal to drivers of 20 mph zone. Good link in route 75

4.1

4.2

Recommendation – remove vegetation to fence level to improve

forward visibility, remove Cyclists dismount sign and install give way markings along cycle track by wall and by edge of footway

Recommendation - other 20mph zones in area could benefit from similar 20mph road markings


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Ref Issues – Barrier access to shared use path – signing makes

change of route easy to pick up and barrier fairly easy to cycle through but does concentrate users into one gap

Ref Issues – Flooding – evidence of detritus along bottom of fence which may be from recent flooding which could limit use of path

4.3

4.4

Recommendation – consider replacing barrier with a row of

staggered bollards to improve access to path

Recommendation -.check if path floods regularly and consider drop down signs “Flood” at each end if it does as in York


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Ref Issue – Signing – graffiti on sign for route in park which seems

to be questioning where it is going. Sign in background cannot be read without stopping due to angle it is placed on pole. Surface quality - Good width path in park with good surface

Ref Issue – Signing - Sign cannot be read without stopping due to angle it is placed on pole

4.5

Recommendation – check sign locations are correct and rotate sign on lamppost

Recommendation - rotate signs slightly so they are easier to read while cycling up to them


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Ref Issue – Surface quality – mud on path from works on good width path

with good surface 4.7

Recommendation – ensure mud is cleared from path during works


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Ref Issue – Vegetation and Surveillance – vegetation growing into path

and bushes and tress make this section rather lacking in natural surveillance

Ref Issue – Signing - sign for route on lamppost lacks information on where the route is going and the sign to the left while it has some information it has been spray painted as low down

4.8

4.9

Recommendation – cut back vegetation and thin it out so it creates

more gaps for natural surveillance from nearby houses Recommendation - review signing of this route as two signing

schemes seem to be in place – one sign on the lamppost with destinations and distances to them would do.


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Ref Issue – Barriers – reduce the effective width of the path – and not

obvious from site visit what they are for Ref Issue – Crossing – route crossings Link Road on good width Toucan

but a fairly long delay to wait to cross. Experienced cyclists – Level 3- would probably join the road

4.10

4.11

Recommendation – review need for barriers along this section of path

Recommendation – count number of cyclists and pedestrians using crossing and review signal timings


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Ref Issues – Crossing – poor surface with lots of grit and a tight turn to

use crossing Ref Issues –Signing - Route direction – not clear where route goes

after crossing due to vegetation and lack of signs 4.12

4.13

Recommendation – clear grit from path and consider widening path at the point to improve turning circle to line up for crossing

Recommendation – clear signing needed at crossing as to where route goes


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Ref Issues – Signing – getting overgrown in bushes- signs for NCN 75

and more local signs on same pole Ref Issues – Wall along path – high concrete wall between path and

high road is rather isolating and would not be pleasant to use at night. 4.14 4.15

Recommendation – trim back bushes to signing is clear and review if signs are in easy to see locations and what information they give

Recommendation – check lighting of path at night and consider brightening up grey concrete wall


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Ref Issue – Crossings – good uncontrolled crossing for pedestrians

and cyclists on raised speed table Ref Issue – Vegetation - growing onto path reducing width and creating

a hazard to cyclists 4.16

4.17

Recommendation – use more of these types of crossings combined with a zebra

Recommendation – cut back vegetation


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Ref Issue – Subway crossing –wide subway which felt isolated during

the day and would be intimidating to use at nighttimes Ref Issues – Subway Crossing – wide subway which felt isolated

during the day and would be intimidating to use at nighttimes 4.18

4.19

Recommendation – review lighting at subways at nighttimes and consider if this is the best route for pedestrians and cyclists to get to the shops

Recommendation – review lighting at subways at nighttimes and consider if this is the best route for pedestrians and cyclists to get to the shops


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Ref Issue – Ramp width – ramp width is a lot less than the subway

crossing and walls and railings reduce effective width and creates unnecessary conflict with pedestrians

Ref Issue – Crossing – lack of space to make turn to line up with to use crossing due to poles and signal controller box

4.20

4.21

Recommendation – consider widening ramp to maintain adequate

cycle path widths along route Recommendation – move crossing or widen it to create more path

width for cyclists to turn effectively to use crossing


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Ref Issue – Crossing – lack of space on other side of crossing which

lines up with a wall, railings and poles causing unnecessary conflict between cyclists and pedestrians

Ref Issue – Parking – well located and signed cycle parking at ASDA by front entrance and its being used. It could be covered

4.22

4.23

Recommendation – can crossing be moved or widened to the left

clear of wall to create more space for users to wait Recommendation – consider covering cycle parking to protect from

elements

Documents

Kirknewton to Livingston - route A using route 75