Here is Cycleways’ response to the Warwick Road cycleway proposal. Please feel free to use this as a template, if you would like to respond to the consultation yourself.
Consultation responses should be emailed to activetravel@warwickshire.gov.uk, with the subject “Warwick Road Cycle Route, Kenilworth” by Monday 28th September.
Cycleways’ response:
- Cycleways believes the proposed scheme will make it much easier, safer, and more pleasant to cycle from Wilkshire Road to Rouncil Lane. As it stands, the Warwick Road is not attractive to cyclists.
- We are concerned that the proposed cycleway is only 2.5m wide in places, with no separation between the cycleway and the carriageway. The proposal could be improved by making the carriageway narrower, in order to provide more space for the cycleway. If the speed limit remains at 30 mph, there should be 0.5m between the carriageway and the cycleway, as set out in LTN 1/20, Table 6.1, p54.
- A further improvement would be to reduce the speed limit to 20 mph along this stretch. Lower speeds and a buffer between the cycleway and the road would deliver a much more attractive scheme. A 20 mph limit has already been introduced on Warwick Road north of the gyratory.
- We note that the longer-term intention is to link this scheme to areas north of Rouncil Lane, and ultimately to K2L, which we support. However, the current scheme would leave cyclists effectively stranded at the junction of Rouncil Lane and Suncliffe Drive. This is a very busy road, particularly at rush hour. The value of the proposal could be hugely enhanced by extending the cycleway an additional 300m along Rouncil Lane, to Mortimer Road. This would a) provide a quieter route via Guy Road to the cycle bridge at Clarke’s Avenue and b) provide a quieter route to the west of Mortimer Road, connecting to National Cycle Route 52, and giving access to Warwick, Coventry and destinations in Kenilworth, such as Abbey Fields and Castle Farm.
- The adoption of Dutch-style curbs where the cycleway crosses the numerous driveways along the cycleway would provide a much smoother ride for cyclists, and would have the additional benefit of slowing down crossing vehicles. We do very much welcome the fact that the cycleway will have priority at all the driveways and side roads.
- The parallel crossing at Rouncil Lane is a good addition, but the hard 90-degree turn will be difficult for some cyclists. Widening the cycleway further into the verge at this point would make turning in and out of the crossing much easier.
- There is a clear desire line from the Warwick Road west to where Suncliffe Drive meets Lindsey Crescent. This existing demand should be catered for with an additional crossing at this location.