Comments on: Building a Safe Cycling Network for Gosforth https://www.spaceforgosforth.com/gosforth-safe-cycling/ Sun, 20 Aug 2017 19:54:39 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.7.1 By: Ian https://www.spaceforgosforth.com/gosforth-safe-cycling/#comment-9315 Sun, 20 Aug 2017 19:54:39 +0000 https://spaceforgosforth.com/?p=2510#comment-9315 Excellent article – well done to the researchers and authors!
My biggest gripe about cycling in Gosforth and surrounding areas is the lack of accurate, reliable signposting. For example, the City Council spent vast sums of money on improving the cycle route from Gosforth Park to the City Centre but how would the unwary cyclist heading south at Regent Centre know to turn left at Christon Road, then right along Alwinton Terrace, across the traffic lights into Moor Road and then left across the new little Moor path to go into the town? Reaching the pedestrian lights at Jesmond Dene Road two cycle signs may be seen – both giving inaccurate directions. Such a shame because we do have some good, safe routes if only they were given greater prominence – at very low extra cost.

]]> By: Guy https://www.spaceforgosforth.com/gosforth-safe-cycling/#comment-8943 Mon, 14 Aug 2017 07:14:07 +0000 https://spaceforgosforth.com/?p=2510#comment-8943 Excellent document, SPACE. Hopefully the planners/councillors etc will take note!

]]> By: Lindsey https://www.spaceforgosforth.com/gosforth-safe-cycling/#comment-8907 Sat, 12 Aug 2017 13:26:49 +0000 https://spaceforgosforth.com/?p=2510#comment-8907 I’m sure everyone will be bored of me banging on about it, but Castle Farm Bridge is a nightmare for both pedestrians and cyclists. Confident adult cyclists can cross using defensive cycling to avoid cars trying to squeeze past but children or non confident cyclists would not have been on Matthew Bank in the first place.

It is quite possible to come from Newcastle via Moorfield/Ilford Road Metro Bridge and down through Beatty Avenue without hitting major traffic but what it needs is for Castle Dene Bridge to be improved for pedestrians/cyclists and preferably a proper crossing at that point. This would pretty much join you up with the Coxlodge waggonway and enable you to get safely to Wallsend and beyond.

The only other way of crossing the Ouseburn is at the double roundabout (just no!) or Armstrong Bridge. Armstrong Bridge is great as that portion of Jesmond Dene Road has been blocked off which has reduced the traffic significantly – *but* getting to it is the tricky part. Coming from the cycle path along the Great North Road there is really no way other than to cycle along the pavement until you reach the turning. Turning right down there from Matthew Bank on the bend in a road is not something I would do as an adult, never mind allow my children to do.

Also Ilford Road is horrible. Ironically the changes to parking and the traffic calming that was installed years ago have made matters so very much worse than it ever was before (I have lived here for over 20 years). Cars don’t observe the junctions that are marked on the road that are there to let you pass and so it can be very nerve wracking to try and cycle that way. With cars parked on one side of the road and large overhanging bushes on the other side it can be a squeeze to let cars past you in places but they often try! I go that way on my bike but my kids prefer to walk as meeting a car bearing down on you and trying to swerve round them is just not fun.

]]>