Consultation launched over how far apart new cycle posts should be on Northampton road

Residents have publicly shown their upset over the posts and have said they would do more harm than good for cyclists who cannot overtake one another or avoid potholes
Carly Roberts
By Carly Roberts
Published 9th Nov 2020, 16:20 BST
Updated 10th Nov 2020, 10:34 BST
Residents were frustrated that the cones were not more in-keeping with the area. Pictures by Kirsty Edmonds.Residents were frustrated that the cones were not more in-keeping with the area. Pictures by Kirsty Edmonds.
Residents were frustrated that the cones were not more in-keeping with the area. Pictures by Kirsty Edmonds.

Northamptonshire County Council is asking residents whether they want new cycle posts distanced at 3 metres apart, 5 metres apart or 25 metres apart, in a new consultation.

It comes as the pre-existing bright orange, plastic posts were installed on one side of Rushmere Road East back in September, causing uproar among residents who branded them an 'eyesore'.Money from the Government’s Emergency Active Travel Fund paid for the posts, which were installed on September 1, in a bid to segregate the cycle lane on the eastern side of Rushmere Road between Billing Road and the Northampton Old Scouts Rugby Football Club.

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The orange posts and 36 cycle racks throughout town were paid for by the Governments £351,000 pledge as part of their efforts to encourage people to cycle during the pandemic.

Now, Northamptonshire County Council is wanting feedback over how far apart to distance the new posts on the same side of the road. No posts have been planned for the other side of the road.

The consultation discusses how far apart the cones should be distanced, if the new cones should be black and white and whether there should be accompanying 'orcas' which segregate the cycle lane from the road.

Residents - who were against the posts because they thought they might add more hazards for cyclists - can now share their preferences on a range of options, as outlined on the council’s website here.

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Councillor Jason Smithers, county council cabinet member for Highways and Place, said: “The Rushmere Road scheme has been regularly monitored through a combination of quantitative and qualitative assessment to understand whether for those choosing to cycle, using the lane has improved in the presence of wands, and whether the installation causes problems for other road users.

“As part of these assessments, we’re keen to hear feedback from our residents as it is essential in helping us review the latest active travel schemes and tweaking them to best serve our local community.

“In this way, we hope to create an environment where businesses can recover, while also ensuring we maximise the benefits to cyclists and pedestrians.”

The consultation will run until midnight on Thursday, November 16 and residents can share their views by emailing [email protected]

Related topics:NorthamptonResidentsGovernment

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