Comment
New Local Plan
Representation ID: 3159
Received: 06/03/2019
Respondent: Mr Daniel Adamson
Much could be done to improve existing cycle route and increase their number across the town.
Whilst the dense network and often narrow roads make it difficult to add a high number of cycle routes across Southend, enhancing and adding to existing ones would no doubt help to increase the number of people willing to travel by bicycle, rather than car (or bus), thereby reducing the chronic traffic congestion and parking issues the town currently faces.
At present, the only noteworthy cycle routes are on the seafront, Prittle Brook Greenway and adjacent to Royal Artillery Way, east of Garon's Park.
The seafront cycle path could be extended westwards from the bottom of Chalkwell Ave to Old Leigh, Leigh Station and upwards to the western boundary of the borough, or - in conjunction with Castle Point BC - extended alongside the sea wall to (South) Benfleet station.
The Prittle Brook Greenway and Royal Artillery Way cycle paths should be linked together in the area between Garon's Park and Priory Park, so that there is a continuous off-road cycle path between West Leigh and Thorpe Bay, other than the seafront. The Prittle Brook Greenway could also be modified such that cyclists have priority at most crossing points with the north-south roads it meets - this kind of cyclist priority is the norm in countries like Netherlands/Denmark and would increase safety and ease of cycle journey, thereby increasing the number of cyclists using the route, rather than travelling by car/bus, etc.
Linking the seafront to the north of the town with a cycle path is more difficult, but perhaps ~3 dedicated cycle routes could be added in the west, central and east of the town, whereby existing roads become one-way for motor vehicles and the rest of the road becomes a cycle path; cyclists then having priority at minor road intersections.
Much could be done to improve existing cycle route and increase their number across the town.
Whilst the dense network and often narrow roads make it difficult to add a high number of cycle routes across Southend, enhancing and adding to existing ones would no doubt help to increase the number of people willing to travel by bicycle, rather than car (or bus), thereby reducing the chronic traffic congestion and parking issues the town currently faces.
At present, the only noteworthy cycle routes are on the seafront, Prittle Brook Greenway and adjacent to Royal Artillery Way, east of Garon's Park.
The seafront cycle path could be extended westwards from the bottom of Chalkwell Ave to Old Leigh, Leigh Station and upwards to the western boundary of the borough, or - in conjunction with Castle Point BC - extended alongside the sea wall to (South) Benfleet station.
The Prittle Brook Greenway and Royal Artillery Way cycle paths should be linked together in the area between Garon's Park and Priory Park, so that there is a continuous off-road cycle path between West Leigh and Thorpe Bay, other than the seafront. The Prittle Brook Greenway could also be modified such that cyclists have priority at most crossing points with the north-south roads it meets - this kind of cyclist priority is the norm in countries like Netherlands/Denmark and would increase safety and ease of cycle journey, thereby increasing the number of cyclists using the route, rather than travelling by car/bus, etc.
Linking the seafront to the north of the town with a cycle path is more difficult, but perhaps ~3 dedicated cycle routes could be added in the west, central and east of the town, whereby existing roads become one-way for motor vehicles and the rest of the road becomes a cycle path; cyclists then having priority at minor road intersections.