Christchurch Needs Safe Cycle Lanes

Cycling in Christchurch is extremely dangerous, due to the fact we have no safe cycle lane infrastructure.   Over a thousand children use Barrack Road and Fairmile, to get to Twynham, Priory and Christchurch Infants/Juniors Schools. These are two of the busiest roads in Dorset, and to have no provision to protect children from accident on these roads is unacceptable.   Sections of these roads have some of the highest accident rates in the county. There are ‘some’ cycle lane markings on these roads, but they are unsuitable, discontinuous and dangerous.   Christchurch Council should be looking after the young people of our community, as well as promoting healthy living, fitness, sustainable transport and pollution reduction. So far, despite numerous letters and meetings, they are not showing any signs of addressing the situation.   The Principal Transport Planner at Dorset County Council is fully supportive of this initiative. However, without support from the local councillors, nothing will happen.    Christchurch is ideal for cycle lanes as it's relatively flat with under 5km distances from the town centre to residential areas. In order for the council to take any action, we need to demonstrate local support for improvements.   We are asking for continuous safe cycle lanes with protection from traffic along Fairmile, Barrack Road and Purewell/Bridge Street/Castle Street.   Therefore please help by signing this petition.  

The current dangers are

1.      Fairmile

a.      St Catherines Hill to Christchurch Hospital  

i.      The road is too narrow for the cycle lanes to be safe

ii.      no segregation from traffic

iii.      all the road markings have worn away.

b.      Christchurch Hospital to Avenue Road –

i.      Insufficient junction protection at Rimbury Way and Royal Close.

ii.      The gap in cycle lane between the pedestrian crossing leads cyclists out onto the main road.

c.       Avenue Road junction - no junction protection or island to enable safe crossing

2.      Avenue Road

a.      Car parking throughout cycle lanes

b.      No dropped kerbs at junction with Avon Road East

c.       Junction with Portfield Road and Barrack Road has confused cycle lane markings with no directional signage

3.      Barrack Road

a.      Eastbound Portfield Road to Clarenden Road  

i.      Lack of signage/markings through service road.

ii.      Cycle lane leads out into dual carriageway between pedestrian crossing and Clarenden Road.

iii.      Dual carriageway encourages speeding/overtaking and there are no traffic calming measures, or even speed limit signs which is unacceptable next to a school.

b.      Eastbound Clarenden Road to Stour Road - Alternative option to take the pedestrian crossing over to the Westbound carriageway.

i.      Exceptionally dangerous section with east/west bound pedestrians and cyclists contending on a very narrow pavement next to a dual carriageway with no protection from speeding traffic.

ii.      Dangerous crossings outside petrol station resulting in high numbers of accidents.

iii.      Dangerous crossing at junction with Manor Road.

iv.      Cycle lane leads through a bus shelter.

c.       Stour Road to Recreation Ground.

i.      Insufficient pavement markings to indicate shared use.

ii.      Short section of cycle lane at junction with north side of Barrack Road/Stour Road junction leads cyclists out onto dual carriageway

d.      Westbound Railway Bridge to Dragoon Way. - Dangerous crossing at Bailey Way/Barrack Road junction. The junction is too wide, especially leading off a dual carriageway.

e.      Dragoon Way to Iford Bridge - No cycle lanes at all despite the road being wide enough to accommodate.

4.      Stour Road

a. Barrack Road to Stourvale Road - Shared use pavement but insufficient marking.  

5. Purewell, Bridge Street, Castle Street - No cycle lanes at all