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We live very close to the Overdale site. On balance, we agree the proposed access route via Westmount Road is preferable in principle. Certainly one-way options or the use of the lower part of Tower Road would be of concern for traffic and width / incline issues. However, as parents of young boys who we would like to be able to use more active travel (cycling) in the future, we would like the Scrutiny Panel to note:
- Currently, the only "safe" route into town for cyclists from where we live is Westmount Road. It is much less busy than Tower Road and Queens Road, and so more manageable, especially with children. The hospital will obviously increase traffic on this road.
- We were therefore pleased in principle to see an active travel lane included in the proposed Westmount option. This would be of great relief to us and other local residents, as it would offer some protection and dedicated space. However, as currently proposed we have concerns...
- In the current gradient, you can pick up a pretty fast speed going down Westmount Road on a bicycle. We appreciate the gradient will be flattened, but it will still be downhill, nevertheless. In wet weather it also gets really slippery as it is so exposed to the elements on the corner of the escarpment, and I've seen several cyclists skid.
- The plans seem to suggest a two-way, mixed active travel lane - shared both ways between cyclists and pedestrians. We would therefore have serious concerns about cyclists (including ourselves and children) travelling down the active travel lane with slow moving pedestrians (or bikes) coming the other way. There is a real risk of collision especially on the steepest corners. Could there be space provided for two lanes please - either pedestrian and cycles separated (as along the front) or two directions separated? Could you review whether there is really sufficient active travel space dedicated in the proposed approach, whether this has been properly considered in the options, and if not, whether there is scope for a further amended option that widens the road a bit more to accommodate safer active travel as above please?
- The alternative of having cyclists share the main road with ambulances, shuttle buses and other hospital traffic also very much worries us, again in particular given the downhill gradient.
Thank you for your consideration.