Glad They Got a Bike Lane

[Heltor Chasca]

From 'You Had One Job' on Twitter...

[gaz]

October 2008, promising signs of development of the pedestrian and cycle route linking the cycle track across the M2 bridge to the new Medway Gate housing development .
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@51.38277 ... 0?hl=en-GB
Presumably the cycle and pedestrian access was part of the permissions for the new development.

August 2009, the gates haven't been opened yet . https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@51.38277 ... 0?hl=en-GB

May 2012, still locked . https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@51.38277 ... 0?hl=en-GB

May 2015, no change . You'll have to take my word for it until the streetview car goes past again.

[Manc33]

You're in a bike lane, you're not in a bike lane, you're now back in the bike lane, its gone again, here it is again, now you're back on the road.

If they could secretly make it more dangerous for cyclists, without it being obvious, would they do it?

Thats the point I am at.

[chris_suffolk]

Was in Felixstowe today - quite impressed by the quantity of cycle lanes - no parking restrictions in any of them so perfect lined parking for all the cars - pathetic!!

[chris_suffolk]

Was in Felixstowe today - quite impressed by the quantity of cycle lanes - no parking restrictions in any of them so perfect lined parking for all the cars - pathetic!!

[Manc33]

If the law is more lapse for parking over a cycle lane than it would be if it was just a normal bit of road then they are winding up cyclists on purpose because you then have a road that was deemed dangerous enough to need a cycle lane, with cars parked in it that cyclists now have to ride around, that wouldn't be parked there if there was a double yellow line there which would be there were it not for the cycle path being there. Sir Humphrey Appleby eat your heart out.

[Philip Benstead]

October 2008, promising signs of development of the pedestrian and cycle route linking the cycle track across the M2 bridge to the new Medway Gate housing development .
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@51.38277 ... 0?hl=en-GB
Presumably the cycle and pedestrian access was part of the permissions for the new development.

August 2009, the gates haven't been opened yet . https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@51.38277 ... 0?hl=en-GB

May 2012, still locked . https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@51.38277 ... 0?hl=en-GB

May 2015, no change . You'll have to take my word for it until the streetview car goes past again.

Please explain what is going on here

[Manc33]

If it is taking more than 7 years to open it, maybe it will take 7 years to close it.

Get the bolt cutters out.

[gaz]

Please explain what is going on here

A shared pedestrian and cycle path has been constructed as part of a housing development. The route is clearly in place as can be seen from the google satellite image.

There are various legal wranglings going on between the landowner, the developer and the council and until they are resolved the gate will remain locked.

It supposedly doubles up as an emergency access route to the Medway Gate site.

2004 planning approval can be found here, application MC2004/0063 (Cuxton Pit no 3, Cuxton Road, Strood).

[Philip Benstead]

Please explain what is going on here

A shared pedestrian and cycle path has been constructed as part of a housing development. The route is clearly in place as can be seen from the google satellite image.

There are various legal wranglings going on between the landowner, the developer and the council and until they are resolved the gate will remain locked.

It supposedly doubles up as an emergency access route to the Medway Gate site.

2004 planning approval can be found here, application MC2004/0063 (Cuxton Pit no 3, Cuxton Road, Strood).

Can cyclist and walkers still gain access to the bridge?

[gaz]

Cyclists and walkers can still use the pedestrian path and cycletrack on the M2 bridge.

The s106 agreement extended the pedestrian/cycletrack from the bridge on the north side of the A228 to the gate, where it is intended to join the cycletrack into the new estate. From the estate you can still walk or cycle via the A228. There's a pavement for pedestrians but it's a horrible road to cycle.

Edit: They've opened it! Must go and explore soon.

[gaz]

Soon arrived today.

It really is a very nicely made path, I have only the most minor criticisms which could be easily resolved.

DSCN2944.JPG

DSCN2943.JPG

MedGate1.png

Where it falls down is that it only connects the Medway Gate estate to the M2 bridge path. That creates useful leisure links to the east of the river but itself is poorly connected to the countryside on the west.

Critically it does not connect the estate to Strood town centre's shops and employment, nor is it a viable alternative to the A228 between Strood and the M2 bridge.

Nobody is likely to ride three times the distance with double the climbing just to avoid the traffic.