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Highgate Bridge

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01 / Original postHighgate BridgeColin Blackburn · 14 Jul 2004 02 / This pagePosts 1–15Page 1 of 1 · chronological order 03 / Latest replyPost #15Danny Colyer · 15 Jul 2004

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UK and Europe
Published
14 July 2004
Last activity
15 July 2004
Original author
Colin Blackburn
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  1. Original post
    Colin Blackburn
    Archived post
    #1

    From the beeb:

    """
    City's newest bridge is named

    A £500,000 bridge has been named in a ceremony.

    Highgate Bridge is a footbridge and cycleway which crosses the A690 near
    Castle Chare in Durham City and will link the railway station with the
    city centre.

    The name was chosen after a public competition, which attracted more than
    100 entries.

    The 100ft steel bridge will be part of a cycle route to the north of the
    city which will be completed later this year.
    """

    From me:

    During its construction it was known as the Castle Chare Cycle Bridge. The
    name plaques, which I noticed on Monday, don't mention cycles. I note that
    it "will be" part of a cycle route. It certainly doesn't link the railway
    station with the city centre for cyclists as it involves rather a lot of
    steps.

    Access, by bike, to the bridge is limited. On the railway station side the
    only route cycles can take is through a new housing development, over some
    cobbles which have already become a de facto parking area for the
    residents. On the other side of the bridge it emerges onto a part cobbled
    back road. One direction feeds straight back onto the A690, the road the
    bridge bridges. In the other direction a tarmac slope has been added
    alongside the steps. This is a very steep slope with a wooden barrier at
    the bottom. I can see it being useful for walking a bike down but not for
    cycling up or down.

    Finally the newly designed roundabout (well it was a roundabout, it's now
    a roundabout with a road going through the middle of it and lots of
    lights) near the bridge now has two light controlled crossings marked for
    cycles as well as pedestrians. None of the pavements are dual use, yet.
    The thirdr crossing is pedestrians only.

    The layout raises lots of questions which I suspect should be addressed to
    someone in the council. However, my last letter to the council, regarding
    cycle parking that had been removed during re-paving, was replied to
    politely but the promised action was never taken. There is still no
    replacement cycle parking.

    Colin

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  2. John Hearns
    Archived post
    #2
    Colin Blackburn said:

    back road. One direction feeds straight back onto the A690, the road the
    bridge bridges. In the other direction a tarmac slope has been added
    alongside the steps. This is a very steep slope with a wooden barrier at
    the bottom. I can see it being useful for walking a bike down but not for
    cycling up or down.


    Why do these eejits never consider elderly or disabled cyclists?
    I know at least one person who can cycle, but doesn't get on
    with carrying a bike.
    And there's someone on this list with a handcycle.

    Would planners expect mums and dads with prams to push them up a steep
    slope?

    Report
  3. Colin Blackburn
    Archived post
    #3
    John Hearns said:
    Colin Blackburn said:

    back road. One direction feeds straight back onto the A690, the road the
    bridge bridges. In the other direction a tarmac slope has been added
    alongside the steps. This is a very steep slope with a wooden barrier at
    the bottom. I can see it being useful for walking a bike down but not
    for
    cycling up or down.


    Why do these eejits never consider elderly or disabled cyclists?
    I know at least one person who can cycle, but doesn't get on
    with carrying a bike.

    I am of course assuming the slope is related to cycling but I have no
    foundation for that other than wondering what else it could be for in that
    location. However, I have requested further information from the council
    re their cycle route around this bridge and roundabout. I hope to be
    enlightened.

    Quoted message said:

    And there's someone on this list with a handcycle.

    Would planners expect mums and dads with prams to push them up a steep
    slope?

    Who knows. As I say this short slope ends at a barrier. One must then get
    off the bottom of the slope by moving sideways onto the large bottom step
    and descending that step. I will, until I have further information, remain
    puzzled by the ramp.

    Colin

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  4. John Hearns
    Archived post
    #4
    Colin Blackburn said:

    Who knows. As I say this short slope ends at a barrier. One must then get
    off the bottom of the slope by moving sideways onto the large bottom step
    and descending that step. I will, until I have further information, remain
    puzzled by the ramp.


    Any new construction should have wheelchair access.
    OK, a bit of an old example but the Wobbly Bridge in London does.
    Given step-free wheelchair access, that provides bike and pushchair access
    too.
    Seems to me like a fast one has been pulled - maybe worth contacting
    the local newspaper?

    Report
  5. Ambrose Nankivell
    Archived post
    #5
    Colin Blackburn said:

    I am of course assuming the slope is related to cycling but I have no
    foundation for that other than wondering what else it could be for in
    that location. However, I have requested further information from the
    council re their cycle route around this bridge and roundabout. I
    hope to be enlightened.

    They are required to have facilities for the disabled, so that could
    be a slope for wheelchair users. Although I'm sure I'm much happier on
    steep slopes than most wheelchair users would be.

    A

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  6. John Hearns
    Archived post
    #6
    Colin Blackburn said:

    Who knows. As I say this short slope ends at a barrier. One must then get
    off the bottom of the slope by moving sideways onto the large bottom step
    and descending that step. I will, until I have further information, remain
    puzzled by the ramp.

    A quick Google finds a press release on the Durham council website.
    "At the Castle Chare end of the bridge, there will be steps for
    pedestrians and a ramp for cyclists."

    Report
  7. Colin Blackburn
    Archived post
    #7
    John Hearns said:

    Any new construction should have wheelchair access.
    OK, a bit of an old example but the Wobbly Bridge in London does.
    Given step-free wheelchair access, that provides bike and pushchair
    access
    too.
    Seems to me like a fast one has been pulled - maybe worth contacting
    the local newspaper?

    Sorry, I am not making things very clear. This slope/step thing is not
    directly connected with the bridge. Similarly the roundabout changes
    (Toucan-style crossings) are not connected directly with the bridge.
    However, they are all in the same location and the three together are
    probably part of a larger strategy. A wheel-chair use could get to and
    cross the bridge, as could a cyclist, it's just that the only effectrive
    route doesn't seem to go from anywhere to anywhere.

    I may draw a map for any further explanation!

    Colin

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  8. Colin Blackburn
    Archived post
    #8
    John Hearns said:
    Colin Blackburn said:

    Who knows. As I say this short slope ends at a barrier. One must then
    get
    off the bottom of the slope by moving sideways onto the large bottom
    step
    and descending that step. I will, until I have further information,
    remain
    puzzled by the ramp.

    A quick Google finds a press release on the Durham council website.
    "At the Castle Chare end of the bridge, there will be steps for
    pedestrians and a ramp for cyclists."

    Crikey, you've googled better than me! This is not, however, the
    steps/ramp that is *near* the bridge but the steps/ramp that is part of
    the bridge.

    As I said, I'll do a map when I get a chance.

    Colin

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  9. John Hearns
    Archived post
    #9
    Ambrose Nankivell said:

    "Colin Blackburn" <[email hidden]> writes:

    They are required to have facilities for the disabled, so that could
    be a slope for wheelchair users. Although I'm sure I'm much happier on
    steep slopes than most wheelchair users would be.


    As you say, the slope is steep and Colin says it ends in a barrier.
    It really, really does sound to me that this is contrary to the DDA.

    By the way, thinking about it the DDA will have positive outcomes for
    cyclists. The stupid metal barriers on cycleways will have to be removed.
    Think of the metal barriers which are supposed to conform to a 'cycle'
    shape and completely block bikes with panniers, trikes, recumbents....

    Report
  10. Dave Larrington
    Archived post
    #10
    John Hearns said:

    By the way, thinking about it the DDA will have positive outcomes for
    cyclists. The stupid metal barriers on cycleways will have to be
    removed. Think of the metal barriers which are supposed to conform to
    a 'cycle' shape and completely block bikes with panniers, trikes,
    recumbents....

    Quite. I regularly use the Regent's Canal / Hertford Union Canal / Lea
    Navigation towpaths. My MTB with panniers will /just/ go through most of
    them (though one on the Lea is so narrow that its a struggle with the
    handlebars, which are a good deal narrower than some), but on the one
    occasion I was obliged to use the towpath with the Speedmachine (road
    closed, five mile detour via The Death Of The Soul[1] and the North
    Circular), there was no way it would fit through. And I did my sorely
    abused back a power of no good lifting it over the barrier at the eastern
    end of the footbridge at Springfield Marina. Bah!

    1 - Edmonton

    --

    Dave Larrington - http://www.legslarry.beerdrinkers.co.uk/
    ===========================================================
    Editor - British Human Power Club Newsletter
    http://www.bhpc.org.uk/
    ===========================================================

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  11. Pyromancer
    Archived post
    #11

    Upon the miasma of midnight, a darkling spirit identified as John Hearns
    <[email hidden]> breathed:

    Quoted message said:

    By the way, thinking about it the DDA will have positive outcomes for
    cyclists. The stupid metal barriers on cycleways will have to be removed.
    Think of the metal barriers which are supposed to conform to a 'cycle'
    shape and completely block bikes with panniers, trikes, recumbents....

    Which means that kids on illegal motorbikes will once again roar up and
    down at suicidal speeds rendering the paths unusable for anyone else.

    That's why the barriers were provided in the first place.

    --
    - Pyromancer.
    - http://www.inkubus-sukkubus.co.uk <-- Pagan Gothic Rock!
    - http://www.littlematchgirl.co.uk <-- Electronic Metal!
    - http://www.revival.stormshadow.com <-- The Gothic Revival.

    Report
  12. John Hearns
    Archived post
    #12
    Pyromancer said:


    Which means that kids on illegal motorbikes will once again roar up and
    down at suicidal speeds rendering the paths unusable for anyone else.

    That's why the barriers were provided in the first place.

    The answer to that is the police to take action.

    I think it is just unacceptable to stop people on bikes, trikes,
    recumbents, wheelchairs, electric scooters from using pathways.

    Report
  13. Velvet
    Archived post
    #13
    Pyromancer said:

    Upon the miasma of midnight, a darkling spirit identified as John Hearns
    <[email hidden]> breathed:

    Quoted message said:

    By the way, thinking about it the DDA will have positive outcomes for
    cyclists. The stupid metal barriers on cycleways will have to be removed.
    Think of the metal barriers which are supposed to conform to a 'cycle'
    shape and completely block bikes with panniers, trikes, recumbents....

    Which means that kids on illegal motorbikes will once again roar up and
    down at suicidal speeds rendering the paths unusable for anyone else.

    That's why the barriers were provided in the first place.

    In which case surely the solution is to confiscate said bikes.

    --

    Velvet

    Report
  14. Jon Senior
    Archived post
    #14

    Dave Larrington [email hidden] opined the following...

    Quoted message said:

    Quite. I regularly use the Regent's Canal / Hertford Union Canal / Lea
    Navigation towpaths. My MTB with panniers will /just/ go through most of
    them (though one on the Lea is so narrow that its a struggle with the
    handlebars, which are a good deal narrower than some), but on the one
    occasion I was obliged to use the towpath with the Speedmachine (road
    closed, five mile detour via The Death Of The Soul[1] and the North
    Circular), there was no way it would fit through. And I did my sorely
    abused back a power of no good lifting it over the barrier at the eastern
    end of the footbridge at Springfield Marina. Bah!

    A similar set of barriers adorn many parts of the cycle network around
    East Lothian. A small number can be negotiated without a full dismount
    from the recumbent, but at least one has a special "cyclists" turnstile
    which takes around 4 turns to get the bent through.

    Grrr.

    Jon

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  15. Danny Colyer
    Archived post
    #15
    Jon Senior said:

    A similar set of barriers adorn many parts of the cycle network around
    East Lothian. A small number can be negotiated without a full dismount
    from the recumbent, but at least one has a special "cyclists" turnstile
    which takes around 4 turns to get the bent through.

    I've just scanned some pictures taken last month on NCN route 41 (I had
    to take a film camera on this ride because DW had the digital):
    <URL:http://www.speedy5.freeserve.co.uk/z-04060617jamie.jpg>
    <URL:http://www.speedy5.freeserve.co.uk/z-04060618danny.jpg>
    <URL:http://www.speedy5.freeserve.co.uk/z-04060619danny.jpg>
    <URL:http://www.speedy5.freeserve.co.uk/z-04060620jamie.jpg>
    <URL:http://www.speedy5.freeserve.co.uk/z-04060621jamie.jpg>

    Then there are these taken a week later on Valentine's Bridge in
    Bristol, which is supposed to be part of a cycle route:
    <URL:http://www.speedy5.freeserve.co.uk/z-04061313danny.jpg>
    <URL:http://www.speedy5.freeserve.co.uk/z-04061314danny.jpg>

    Most of these pictures should find their way onto my farcilities pages
    in the not too distant future.

    --
    Danny Colyer (the UK company has been laughed out of my reply address)
    <URL:http://www.speedy5.freeserve.co.uk/danny/>
    "He who dares not offend cannot be honest." - Thomas Paine

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