Category: Advocacy

An "End of Route" sign commonly found at the end of formal cycle routes; a blue rectangle with a white outline. A bicycle outline is positioned centrally. The words "End Of" are above the bicycle, "Route" is below the bicycle. A bit of nondescript graffiti is at the bottom of the sign which also has visible scarring over it. The colours are muted and contrast boosted to give a moodier impression.

County Council KILLS OFF its A47 Long Shoot cycle scheme?

Back in December 2023, Warwickshire County Council stated that it had paused development of a mostly separated cycle scheme to run alongside the A47 from its junction with the A5 towards Nuneaton town centre. Now, the Council’s Forward Plan published in October 2024 shows the decision on the scheme as “Abandoned” and it has been suggested that the Long Shoot portion of the planned route may not be going ahead.

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View of a road in Bedworth taken from the right-side pavement, looking towards a junction. A pedestrian refuge island sits between the two road lanes. On the left is a war memorial with the words "Bedworth The Town That Never Forgets". Near this structure is a lamp-post where a sign is fixed. The sign has a red background, surrounded by a yellow border. The words, in uppercase white text, read: "give way to cyclists from right".

Minor road changes proposed for active travel in Bedworth

Warwickshire Highways is proposing to make modifications at a junction in Bedworth which will facilitate part of a “Green Corridor” for active travel in the town. This has the specific aim of connecting to the popular Miners’ Welfare Park and the new Physical Activity Hub (aka leisure centre), to enable people to travel there without a car. Let’s look at what’s planned.

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A close pass on a 50mph road with no cycle infrastructure. A grey van passes, barely a metre away from the curb, with a car coming in the opposite direction

West Midlands and Warwickshire hotspots for cycling incidents

A report shows Warwickshire to be one of the hotspots for cycling incidents – but is it any wonder? Despite promises of routes, social media activity, and an active travel focus in the County Council’s LTP, there’s still a lack of delivery on the ground.

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A "no cycling" sign on a small, pedestrianised street in a town centre. The brick surfaced street is protected by bollards. An advertisement board is near to the foreground; a person is walking away in the background.

New Protection Order references cycling

The local Borough Council is proposing a new Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) to cover Nuneaton and Bedworth town centres and surrounding areas as one method of tackling antisocial behaviour and improving the perceived safety in the borough. The PSPO will mention cycling – but as far as these things go, it seems reasonable.

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The shocking and deadly statistic behind painted cycle lanes

Many people who cycle on roads probably instinctively know that painted cycle lanes do little to ensure a rider’s safety. Some would even assert that they’d prefer no dedicated infrastructure if the choice is that or some paint, where the latter can lead to more instances of close passes and driver hostility (whether or not intentional). In his recent appearance

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A newly installed black chicane barrier on a wide, off-road path. To the right of the restriction is a wooden fence; to the left, is a shaded hedge. Fresh tarmac is laid under the restriction. Ahead and beyond the barriers is a residential road.

Escalated complaint still ignored by Council

The seemingly unending chicane barrier issue raised with Warwickshire County Council continues as a manager finally responds to the escalated complaint detailed back in July. It’s taken a long time, and a lot of chasing to get this reply – but which still fails to properly consider the points originally raised back on 16 May 2024. To briefly recap, in

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A newly installed black chicane barrier on a wide, off-road path. To the right of the restriction is a wooden fence; to the left, is a shaded hedge. Fresh tarmac is laid under the restriction. Ahead and beyond the barriers is a residential road.

The continuing saga of a chicane barrier

Chronicling the protracted continuing saga of a new chicane barrier, installed suddenly and without warning in April 2024 by Warwickshire County Council, on a short path close to a formal shared use walking and cycling route – but without proper consideration to current legislation, design standards for accessibility, or its own policies regarding transport and active travel.

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An image of Croft Road in Nuneaton from a bicycle camera in the centre of the lane, about to pass a traffic island pinch point. Parked cars line the road ahead, and traffic is flowing in the opposite direction. Houses line the right side of the road. To the left is a green strip with a few fairly young trees.

An appropriate response to a consultation submission?

Recently, Warwickshire County Council ran a short consultation on installing speed cushions on Croft Road, Nuneaton. Responding to that, an objection submitted by yours truly noted the issues these can cause for cycling, including the potential increase in the risk from close passes, and in particular the impact on accessible cycling – points that appear to have been ignored in the Portfolio Holder’s Report.

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Asking Labour to support and fund active travel

Following the general election result last week that saw a new Labour government come to power, as well as a change of MPs in Nuneaton, I have written again to Jodie Gosling MP. This time I have asked that she in turn write to the new Secretary of State for Transport (Louise Haigh) and the new Chancellor of the Exchequer (Rachel Reeves) to request that the government put active travel at the top of the transport agenda, and fund it.

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