advice

Mini Holland proposals, (Go Cycle)

These consultations have now closed

The Kingston Cycle Campaign broadly welcomes the latest Mini Holland proposals, (Go Cycle) the Council seem to have limited the amount of ‘shared Space’, which we welcome, but all 3 Schemes would benefit  from more Cycle parking, especially near Shops. The Consultations can be found at www.kingston.gov.uk/consultations , or follow the link in each of the Paragraphs below.The closing date is 17 November.

Kingston to Kingston Vale There is still possible conflict with parked cars in Old London Road. It would help if the car parking was reduced in this area. The ‘two-way cycle track’, from the Queen Elizabeth Road junction to Cambridge Road, continuing to the roundabout junction with Park Road and Kingston Hill,  looks promising. The route continues on Kingston Hill with a segregated cycle lane on both sides. Apart from some small sections of shared space, there does need to be provision for a segregated crossing for cyclists who wish to turn right from Galsworthy Road onto Kingston Hill, or vice-versa. The link for this individual scheme is http://consult.kingston.gov.uk/portal/planning/go/go_cycle_october_2016/gckv

Kingston to New Malden The crossing from the two-way cycle track on London Road, to continue along Cambridge Road, looks promising. The junction with Chatham Road and Hawks Road will need careful design to minimise conflict with pedestrians. And to keep the existing link between Chatham Road and Hawks Road a viable option, there needs to be full segregation under the rail bridge near South Lane West. If Cyclists do have to use ‘shared space’ where delivery vehicles are parked, there needs to be clear signage. The link for this scheme is http://consult.kingston.gov.uk/portal/planning/go/go_cycle_october_2016/gcnm.

Kingston to Tolworth The two-way cycle track along Penrhyn Road as far as Grove Crescent looks promising, continuing with seperate cycle lanes either side of the road. St Marks Hill will need a crossing for cyclists who wish to access Hollyfield School, also those who wish to access King Charles Road and other routes from Lamberts Road. The design of the ‘central cycle lane’ along Ewell Road needs to ensure that there are no conflicting traffic movements where car traffic wants to turn right across the cycle path, it might be better to continue the ‘two-way cycle track’ at the side of the carriageway, then join up with the ‘Greenway’ at the junction with the Broadway. The link for this scheme is http://consult.kingston.gov.uk/portal/planning/go/go_cycle_october_2016/gct

All three schemes should be supported. We urge everyone to go to the www.kingston.gov.uk/consultations page and fill out the seperate consultation for each of the three schemes. You can find more of our thoughts at http://kingston.cyclescape.org/threads , the Consultations close on 17 November.

Reporting dangerous driving

There is a glut of internet items about how some cyclists feel pushed into retaliating in the face of dangerous, reckless or simply poor driving.  Kingston Cycling Campaign does not condone this response.

When I reported an aggressive driver a few weeks ago the duty officer confirmed that you should always report  such incidents, preferably with the vehicle number as well as the location and a description. Chances are, this information could be useful in other investigations too. The Crown Prosecution Service has a fact sheet outlining their definitions of dangerous and reckless driving: www.cps.gov.uk/news/fact_sheets/dangerous_driving/

They say:

A person drives dangerously when:

  • the way they drive falls far below the minimum acceptable standard expected of a competent and careful driver; and
  • it would be obvious to a competent and careful driver that driving in that way would be dangerous

Clearly this includes:

  • driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
  • street racing
  • a  vehicle with a dangerous fault or an unsafe load
  • driving into street furniture
  • driving the wrong way on a fast road (motorway or dual carriageway)
  • mounting a heavily-pedestrianised pavement

For non-emergencies (such as reporting a reckless driver from the comfort of your sofa) call 101. However if you feel intimated enough to wish to remain anonymous you can report dangerous driving on RoadSafe London: content.met.police.uk/Site/roadsafelondon/

London Cycling Campaign also offer advice on reporting incidents with taxis, buses and lorries.

In the week that Christopher Gard was jailed for texting while driving at 65 mph and killing a cyclist taking part in an organised event, there was a discussion on ‘Death by Dangerous Driving’ on the Today programme on Radio 4 (now on iPlayer). Gard had been convicted of using his phone at least six times prior to this.

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