| Topic: | Re:Re:Re:Re:Cycle lane Boston Manor-Great West Road | |
| Posted by: | Anthony Waller | |
| Date/Time: | 08/11/14 10:49:00 |
| Could not agree more. The A4 Great West Road, one of the first in the UK with a dedicated twin cycleway. And yet it has been neglected since the 1970s. Rarely ever swept properly, the surfaces are lumpy, bumpy and slippery and the markings and signage a mess of bodges. As long ago it was cited as a trial for european style eye level traffic light repeaters, but rejected by various officials. Now in this era of big bucks going into London cycling, it is still neglected. Yet money can be found for needless cycle schemes which won't make any difference to cyclists in terms of safety or convenience. Like so many costly and poor schemes, most cyclists will simply carry on taking the most pragmatic route. It is pointless spending lots of money on schemes purely because there are too many poor cyclists out there. Anthony is completely right. There are those who have no road sense or safe cycling skills and those who do and should and do know better but lack respect for other road users and other cyclists. Yes. there are appalling motor vehicle drivers as well. But they are trained tested and licensed. And insured. And liable to prosecution if caught disregarding road regulations. To my mind those who are caught not complying to being licensed and or insured, should be banned for life. And those who are sub standard made to retake the test. But when we have a facility with great benefit and potential, yet under used because it is in such a poor state and priority given to pointless schemes, one just wonders why all this incompetence keeps coming from. As Anthony mentions, the junction on the north side of BMR is the dangerous bit and needs sorting. Also the mess of cycle crossovers at Lionel Road on the A4. But with the money there, level and resurface the A4 cycle way, put in repeater signals and clear the clutter from the junctions, clarify the signage and sweep the routes properly regularly. |