Sustrans have funding to improve the Bristol end of the Railway Path between Trinity Road and Clay Bottom. The £1.2m project is being called the One Path: BS5 project and “aims to encourage positive behaviour and tackle issues such as conflict between path users”. It is funded by the Department for Transport and will be delivered by Sustrans in partnership with Bristol City Council.
Hooray!
But hold on there. There’s a line of thought that what’s needed are speed bumps, bollards, and chicanes. What do you think needs to be done?
There are four events coming up to find out what the local community and path users think about the path. We would like lots of BCyC supporters to have your say, so please get stuck in. There’s also an email list and facebook group.
- Thursday 17 October, 5:00 – 7:00 pm at Hannah Moore’s School, St. Philips
- Friday 18 October, 3:30 – 6:30 pm at Easton Community Centre
- Monday 21 October, 3:30 – 7:00 pm at Rose Green Centre
There will also be a community inception meeting on Friday 18 October, 7:00 pm at Easton Community Centre
There appears to be under representation of the cycling users voice because engaging with bike riders on the path, who are often heading to work etc, reluctant to stop, is more difficult than pedestrians.
We want segregation of people on bikes and on foot, but that will mean a determined effort to secure sufficient width. That is better for both categories of user in accordance with the policies of both walking and cycling advocacy groups. Following discussion on our members’ Space for Cycling forum, we concluded that we do NOT want bollards, chicanes etc or anything which will reduce cycling leading to more motoring etc and discriminates against the disabled including disabled cyclists.
Sustrans say the project will be guided by the community’s vision:
“We are committed to a Bristol and Bath Railway Path that is a safe space: a park, path and place for all users, by foot or by wheel, enabling healthy lifestyles in a green and biodiverse corridor linking the two Cities and communities across the West of England Combined Authority.”
“We will work with all of the communities who use the Bristol and Bath Railway Path to redesign and reshape it so that its value to people, wildlife, its localities and the region as a whole is enhanced and protected for generations to come.”
“To help guide the project, and ensure a healthy balance between the interests and needs of all users, we will be setting up a stakeholder group. During the workshops, we will be inviting attendees to put their name forward to be part of the project stakeholder group. Please consider this carefully in advance of the meeting, and let us know if you feel this is something you would be happy to do.”
