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LINCOLN TRANSPORT STRATEGY

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Lincolnshire County Council is developing an updated strategy to support the economic and spatial development of Greater Lincoln through the delivery of access and transport improvements.

As part of this, the county council is working closely with a range of stakeholders, including the general public, businesses, local organisations and local district and parish councils, to develop the document.

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The final updated strategy is expected to be published in late Autumn 2019.

Once complete, the new strategy will be part of a wider suite of policies for the Lincoln area aimed at improving the economy, steering spatial development and improving access and transport for communities and businesses.

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The aim in developing the strategy is to:

• Thoroughly analyse Greater Lincoln’s current transport network and identify any planned changes.

• Offer all members of the public an opportunity to help shape the future of travel and transport in Greater Lincoln.

• Deliver a strategy that that ensures a joined up approach for growing the economy, land use for development and improving transport in the Greater Lincoln Area.

• Compliment and support the Central Lincolnshire Local Plan and lead on development of transport solutions for the Sustainable Urban Extensions.

• Concentrate on accessibility and transport improvements for all transport users, not just those travelling by car.

• Identify and recommend a number of short-term and long-term improvement projects to help deliver an improved transport network.

• Develop a long-term plan for investing in improvements in Greater Lincolns transport network.

 

The Current Strategy

The current Lincoln Integrated Transport Strategy (LITS) was developed in 2006, updated in 2008 and reviewed further in 2013. Since its adoption, significant progress has been made in securing funding for and completing a number of major transport schemes, improving public transport and enhancing access for pedestrians and cyclists.

This includes the completion of the A46 Teal Park Dualling, East-West Link Road, a number of pinchpoint schemes and successful public and sustainable transport projects. 
In addition, the largest project in the current transport strategy - the Lincoln Eastern Bypass - is now being constructed and is expected to be completed in Spring 2020.

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Stakeholder Workshops

Melanie Carroll and Andrew Townhill attended Stakeholder Workshops in January and February 2019.

A copy of the power-point  presentation can be viewed HERE

Lincoln has comparatively high levels of cycling for leisure and travel purposes Trends indicate an increase in cycling in the Strategy Area.

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Drop-In Sessions

The general public were also invited attend one of the public drop-in sessions and exhibitions about the project. Cycling UK Lincolnshire Chair, Tim Newbery, attended the meeting held on 25th January.

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For more information, visit  www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/lincoln-transport-strategy.

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CONSULTATIONS AND SURVEYS IN NORTH EAST LINCOLNSHIRE

 

There are a number of consultations and surveys that are being held by North East Lincolnshire Council.

See HERE for up to date information and details of how to subscribe.

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NORTH EAST LINCOLNSHIRE WORKING IN PARTNERSHIP WITH SEE.SENSE

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24th October 2019. Report by Tim Newbery.

Interview with Anthony Snell, Senior Transport Officer (Local Transport) ENGIE – North East Lincolnshire Council.

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There’s quite a lot of work going on behind the scenes with respect to the DRAFT Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan in NEL. Indeed, NEL was chosen as one of the Councils that would work with The Department for Transport (DfT) on this project.

A pilot study will be data based and up to 300 see.sense ‘tracker’ units are to be handed out and fitted to cycles. The cyclists will then ride across NEL during the coming Winter and Spring 2019/2020, the units recording such data as sudden jolts eg from sudden braking (perhaps at junctions/traffic lights) and will record the route itself. It will help to ascertain which routes are actually being ridden, regardless of the current cycling infrastructure already in place. This study is not aimed at cycle touring/cycle tourism but will be targeting cycle commuting; those who are cycling to work and their places of education for example. It is hoped that the data set will be collated and ready for review by the Summer of 2020.

Tim Newbery is taking part in this project with rides starting on 15th November 2019.  Further reports to follow.

See HERE for more information on this Smart Cycling Project.

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Working closely with and in conjunction with DfT, NEL see an opportunity to develop a plan to improve the network across the Council area. They are aiming at three specific areas. 1: Improving links to housing in growth sites. 2: To improve and encourage health benefits of cycling. 3: To lower accident rates. Anthony recognised that there are many more aspects that could be included; indeed, the list is at least 50 such as Improving Air Quality but finances are extremely limited and NEL thought best to focus on 3 for the time being.

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The FIRST draft of the Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan is hoped to be ready after Christmas which will then be presented to politicians. A period of Public Engagement of the plan will then follow and a FINAL draft presented to Council by March 2020.

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Anthony stressed that at the moment there is NO funding available. Everything is on hold until BREXIT is resolved. The post Brexit spending review for 2020 should allow funding for the Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan and it is thought that a budget of £1-2 million is not unrealistic.

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Following the article in the Grimsby Telegraph (20th October 2019) with respect to the Laceby Road Cycleway, Anthony stated that NEL were already considering changes, including the introduction of protected cycle lanes. There are various ways in preventing or at least encouraging motorists not to park in ‘advisory’ lanes such as continuous double yellow lines but in reality, there would need to be a compromise. The aim is to make lanes safer for all road users. Although small sections of ‘Gold Standard’ cycle routes are feasible, the cost of extending such a standard across the network are unfeasible. NEL don’t want a disjointed network (routes continuously starting and ending) so they are looking at ways to create longer routes which would be economically viable and still provide appropriate safety for all users.

 

Anthony acknowledged that NEL’S website is out of date and he will ensure an update. There is no longer a Cycle Forum. Anthony was however happy to be contacted for updates to the Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan. They will be advertised and announced through social media and the website.

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CYCLING UK LINCOLNSHIRE'S INVITATION TO LNER STAKEHOLDER CONFERENCE Tuesday 19th November 2019

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Report by Tim Newbery

Cycling UK Lincolnshire was invited to attend LNER's stakeholder conference and Tim Newbery volunteered to attend. Following in particular the negative press and social media response to cycle carriage facilities on the new Azuma coaches on LNER's East Coast Mainline service, it seemed an ideal opportunity to obtain the latest news and learn of the background and understand the issues involved. 

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Issues range from the ease (or difficulty) of initially booking bicycles onto the new service and more importantly the restricted facilities on board.  There are usually 4 bookable spaces per train, instead of the promised 8 and the limited dimensions of the secure cupboard make it very difficult to accommodate anything other than an unloaded drop handlebar road bike.  Cycles are also stored vertically which could cause problems with less able passengers. Ideally the bike needs to have tyres no wider than 5.5 cm and handlebars less than 70 cm wide. Due to the configuration of the hooks, if your bike has tyres measuring over 7.4 cm or rims deeper than 50 mm then there will also be a problem!

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For FULL details of the current advice from LNER, see HERE

For information specific to Azuma, see HERE

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It was heartening to hear from other delegates at the meeting, all expressing similar views on the topic. LNER speakers and representatives were at pains to confirm that cycling groups are being consulted and that they are also working with DfT and Hitachi to address the problems raised. Cycling UK's main Public Transport contact Dave Holladay was also present at the meeting and is taking the lead in consultations with LNER. Cycling UK National Office have indeed been involved with the Azuma project for a number of years. 

 

It seems strange to someone who hasn't had the experience of such meetings before of the lack of communication, between all sides.

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LNER were quoted at the meeting as agreeing that "current provision doesn't meet modern useage" and that the recent, and unpredictable, fashion change has been the main reason for the current problems.

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Another LNER spokesperson was quoted "As we introduce new Azuma trains across our network, collecting feedback from our customers is as important as ever. LNER is currently gathering feedback from customers travelling with bikes to help us understand how we cam make improvements. We'll be reviewing this with our engineering team to identify where improvements can be made."

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It is important that cyclists campaign as vigorously as they can to improve provision for cycles on trains, better information on ticketing, reservations for cycles, secure parking at stations etc.  Your main Public Transport contact at Cycling UK is 

Dave Holladay, 0141 3324733 / 07710 535404.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THE FIRST CYCLING INSIGHTS (15th November 2019 - 15th December 2019)

The first 'snapshot' of the insights that riders have currently shared in the North East Lincolnshire Council and ENGIE project has just been published. This snapshot is for rides covering the period mid November to mid December 2019. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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As detailed in an earlier report, Cycling UK Louth has joined the project that is being run by see.sense, North East Lincolnshire Council and their regeneration partner, ENGIE. This project records actual cycle journeys and can identify delays, road surface quality, collisions, near miss and other self reported events. This should help North East Lincolnshire Council build up a greater level of understanding and 'insight' of where and how people are cycling and help develop the regions Cycling and Walking Strategy, so that cycling can be safer, more convenient and more enjoyable for everyone.   

 

 

CAMPAIGNS OFFICER'S REPORT

You can download and read Melanie's latest 'Campagins Officer's Report (November 2019) HERE

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