Response to development 19/02601/FUL – a new access road over NCN 627 Blackburn Valley cycling and walking route

More information about the development can be seen by searching for 19/02601/FUL on the SCC Planning Application site where you can also comment on the plans.

Draft response

We object to the installation of any kind of discriminatory access barriers on the cycle and footpath and the subsequent loss of priority for people walking and cycling along the route.

These barriers will end the priority of people walking and cycling along this route, instead prioritising motorised traffic using the new access road.

Any kind of barrier makes walking or cycling less convenient and appealing. They are especially awkward and frustrating for people with pushchairs, shopping trolleys, crutches, walking sticks/frames, or holding children’s hands. Narrow barriers are obviously obstructive to people cycling who are less physically able to lift and squeeze their handlebars through the gap. They can prevent the use of paths completely for users of larger and less nimble cycles like tandems, some recumbents, various trikes often used by disabled people, and cargo bikes. They also create access issues for wheelchair users, mobility scooter users and people with prams and pushchairs.

We believe that the installation of barriers like these could be breaking the Equality Act 2010.

Bollards with a 1.5m gap are the simplest way of preventing access by cars and other larger vehicles. They do not prevent motorbikes, mopeds etc from accessing the paths, however, it is clear that neither do barriers.

The crossing of the cycle and footpath by the new access road needs to be designed so priority is very clearly given to people walking and cycling with motorised traffic giving way to these users.

This is a proposed new road for access into a new employment site. The new road is designed for HGV access and is therefore clearly unsuitable for cycling on. The shared use path into the site will need to be at least 5m wide or the new road will need a protected cycle lane.

The use of pedestrian guard rails must not be included in new transport schemes. They are proven by Transport for London to increase pedestrian KSI accidents.

The design of this development currently runs counter to the SCC Transport Strategy adopted earlier this year as well as the new SCR four basic minimum standards for infrastructure and needs to be redesigned.

Please discuss these issues with SCC Transport Planners for inclusion in the planning conditions.