For those interested, here is an update on Britannia Road. A new crossing may seem small beer but for us it’s important. The scheme is not a cycle infrastructure scheme per se – there aren’t many of them – but is a road safety improvement scheme, of which there are many more. Like many road safety improvement schemes, it will have an effect on cyclists. Clued-in councils are often able to piggy-back improvements to cycling infrastructure onto these schemes. On the other hand, councils (even well-meaning ones) who don’t think enough about cycling can implement these schemes in a way that makes things worse. There is a risk that this scheme becomes a case in point.
To be fair, we are talking here about an initial proposal. Council officers have acknowledged our worries and told us that they will be considered in the forthcoming detailed design phase. So, plenty to play for.
We have now met with officers at Britannia Road. Much of our discussion centred on the ‘contraflow’ cycling along Britannia Road. The big issue is at the junction of Riverdene and Britannia Roads. Only it isn’t really a junction. Britannia Road is not, for now, a turning off Riverdene Road. Vehicles driving north along Riverdene Road don’t have to stop and do a right turn into Britannia Road across oncoming traffic; drivers simply go round a corner and into Britannia Road: Riverdene Road/Britannia Road is a continuous road that turns through 90 degrees. It’s not the standard road layout envisaged for contraflow cycling that you can find in the Department for Transport’s Local Transport Note (LTN) 1/20.
When we met, we saw cars cutting the corner of Riverdene Road/Britannia Road. Drivers followed a line exactly where cyclists riding from Ilford Lane would be (between 75 and 100cm from the kerb). And that is before Britannia Road is made one-way. Once it is, drivers turning the corner of Riverdene Road/Britannia Road will expect a clear run and the temptation to cut the corner will be greater. And we know that they will be travelling faster.
LCC has told us that corner cutting at the exit of cycle contraflows has caused accidents in other boroughs.
We think the junction can be re-configured and here’s a starter for 10 …
Drivers who previously turned right off Ilford Lane into Britannia Road will now come down Bengal Road, turn right into Riverdene Road and right again into Britannia Road. This creates an extra right turn across Cycleway C42, making C42 more dangerous for cyclists because, as you know, most accidents involving cyclists happen at junctions.
Our conclusion is that, unless the Riverdene Road/Britannia Road turning is reconfigured in the detailed design, the scheme will make things more, rather than less, dangerous for cyclists – and will be perceived by cyclists as dangerous. That means that cyclists will avoid using the route – including me.
I think I would use the new crossing, ride along the pavement to Audrey Road and go down there which, incidentally, is on the London Cycle Network and is signed as such. So maybe the Council could build a short section of cycle track between Audrey Road and the crossing? You don’t get what you don’t ask for, so if you think we are right and have the time, why not email the Council, tell them you are worried and ask for improvements to be made in the detailed design? Or, if you live in the area, go to your councillor’s surgery and talk to them about the scheme.
Half time and everything to play for. …
Redbridge Cycling Campaign 