Category Archives: North Road

Whinfield Road – A Step Forward?

Posted on by Posted in infrastructure, North Road, routes, Whinfield Road 7 Comments

Darlington Cycling Campaign was recently consulted on proposals to develop new cycling infrastructure in the north of the town. Such consultations occur on a regular basis. but what makes this particular proposal exceptional is that it is the first that is being made on a busy arterial road, Whinfield Road, and will involve the reduction of space for motorised traffic in favour of cyclists. The map here shows the proposed stretch in red, connecting existing routes marked in yellow (advisory) and green (actual cycling infrastructure).

For some time now, we’ve been arguing that more visible, and more direct cycle routes are needed if more people are to get on their bikes. The core of the local authority’s strategy had been to try to avoid busy roads altogether by developing signed “alternative routes” on quiet side roads. Thus, rather than cycling down North Road, we are encouraged to use the signed route down Pendelton Road, running parallel. The advantage is that a series of signs are relatively cheap to install, legally simple, and of course they do not incur the wrath of the motorist by threatening their road space. The disadvantage is that they can be, as is the case with the West Park route, somewhat roundabout, and still requiring the use of relatively busy roads.

The Cycling Campaign believes that the UK needs to adopt the best and most successful European practice. Cycle routes should be direct, continuous and safe. This therefore requires the best infrastructure to be developed where traffic is heaviest, and where cyclists are most likely to want to travel. So for example Parkgate, between the railway station and the town centre, should be the “dual carriageway” of cycle routes. It is one of the busiest roads in urban Darlington, yet one of the key cycle routes for everyday cyclists. So it is good to see the local authority taking an important step forward by tackling one such busy road.
The process is still in its early stages, and we cannot yet predict whether existing plans will in fact be carried out, or what opposition might lie around the corner. We have expressed our own views about the proposals. The off road cycle path proposal between Sparrowhall Drive and the Haughton Education Village is an excellent addition to safe routes to school in the town. However, the proposed on-road cycle lane along Whinfield Road itself, from Whinbush Way east to the Stockton roundabout, whilst commendably reducing space for motorised traffic through the elimination of central hatching, is only advisory. It is interesting to consider why.
The satellite image above shows a short stretch of Whinfield Road, where the proposed new cycle route is to be developed. As with much of the road, there is ample space for an off-road cycle path on either side of the carriageway. On busy main roads like this, with significant HGV traffic, this is our preferred option. Subjective safety is crucial if we are ever to attract people who don’t cycle now, to use such roads. This option has been rejected on grounds of cost.
Our second preferred option, at least as an interim solution, would be an onroad mandatory cycle lane, something along the lines of our artists’ impression below.
Since there is ample off-road parking, this would surely be a solution that offers a small degree of subjective safety to cyclists, without the recurring problem of motorists parking on the cycle lane (which would, unlike an advisory lane, be illegal). However, even the cycling community appears to be somewhat unclear about a way forward here. The objection put forward by the local authority is that such a lane would prevent motorists from accessing off-road parking, since they are legally not allowed to cross the continuous white line. This reasoning was confirmed when we asked Sustrans.
Yet it seems a great pity that arguments about the legality of crossing a white line at the side of the road (think of these lines along the side of that other busy road we have surveyed in the past, the A167 to Newton Aycliffe) can prevent rational discussion about best practice. These kinds of rules existed in Germany. They got round them by amending the law and introducing different widths of continuous white line for these new circumstances. These can be crossed by motorists wishing to access parking spaces.
In fact, to return to the need for continuity, good cycle routes can embrace both off-road cycle paths and on-road mandatory cycle lanes, as long as the one seamlessly transfers to the other. There is no good reason why certain sections of this route, where most appropriate, run behind parking areas, whilst others run between parked vehicles and moving traffic. There are examples of such situations in the council’s proposals, but the “advisory lane” approach inevitably means that cyclists again have to give way to motor traffic. Rather than continuing on their own dedicated and protected cycle route, they are deemed to be “re-joining the carriageway”, as in the detail from the proposals below.
The irony of all of this concern about crossing white lines to park a vehicle is that the supposed “hierarchy of road users”, which places pedestrians and cyclists first and private motor vehicles (and particularly stationery ones) last, is turned upside down. New infrastructure has to be designed around the needs of those wishing to park their private vehicles along the public highway.
We all know how much there is still to do in the UK to encourage cycling. So we should give credit to Darlington Borough Council for tackling a difficult but important stretch of road. But perhaps David Cameron should take a leaf out of his own policy book, and ask his Ministry of Nudging to shove an elbow the way of his Transport Secretary, Mr Hammond, and ask him to sort out his white lines.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you all!
EDIT: To add yet another model to this debate, have a look at this proposed new cycle lane in Cambridge. The Cycling Campaign there have also expressed concern about motorists parking on advisory cycle lanes. Here they proposed, and appear to have won, the idea of double yellow lines along the length of the cycle lane.

Which Way from Newton Aycliffe?

Posted on by Posted in Newton Aycliffe, North Road, routes 10 Comments

Following up on Tuesday’s post about a route from Newton Aycliffe, two Campaign members have checked the various options.

Tuesday was a miserable day, intermittent rain, cloudy and cold, but even so we set out to Patches lane to see whether that was a viable option. Basically – no chance. This former railway line should not be designated as anything but a bridleway, with mud up to the hubs at numerous places. Apparently, this is the case all year, apart from a few days at the height of summer.

Tim advised that the bridleways to the east of the A167 were in a similar state, so we declined the chance to try these. Instead we had a look at the A167 itself. Interestingly, there is a shared cycle/foot path on the Newton Aycliffe side of the motorway roundabout (southern side of road). The crossing of motorway-leaving or bound traffic is not as onerous as it might be. We then hit the footpath on the Darlington side of the motorway featured in the video.

This is officially designated “walk your bike”, but we believe that this could easily, and justifiably, be upgraded to a shared-use cycle/foot path. Bear in mind that, until Harrowgate Hill, this is a rural area. We didn’t encounter a single pedestrian all the time we were filming this route. And we even came across some expensively paved parking space as we approached Darlington. Whose money financed THAT folly, I wonder? Surely, if there was ever a case for a shared path, this is it.

Issue will be raised with the local authority imminently.

Which Way from Newton Aycliffe?

Posted on by Posted in Newton Aycliffe, North Road, routes 2 Comments


The Cycling Campaign this week received a query from a resident of Newton Aycliffe, asking about a “safe and pleasant” cycle route for families to use between the two towns. As this straddles two local authority areas, this is something that they would have to tackle through cooperation. But always wanting to short circuit such difficulties, we have decided to look at the problem ourselves.

Above is the section of the Darlington Cycle Route map concerned – green routes are labelled “traffic free path”, brown “rough bridleway”. The dotted green lines along the A167 from the motorway to the White Horse in Harrowgate Hill signify “walk your bike”, an interesting concept for a cycle route map.

The Campaign will be sending out two members shortly to rekki the area. Reports to follow. Meanwhile, any on the ground experience from cyclists would be welcome on this blog.

Pedestrian Heart blamed for buses running late

Posted on by Posted in buses, cars, infrastructure, North Road, Pedestrian Heart, stories 1 Comment

ARRIVA bosses have blamed buses running late in Darlington on the town’s Pedestrian Heart and traffic problems.

Company chiefs made the claims at a heated public meeting at Skerne Park last night.

The Park East community partnership, which incorporates Skerne Park, had called Monday’s meeting to quiz Arriva on the estate’s unreliable bus service.

Tony Stevens, Darlington depot manager, said: “We have a problem in Darlington – and that problem is too much traffic coming into town.

“It’s purely, simply traffic. By 8am, North Road, Coniscliffe Road, Woodland Road, are full.”

– Northern Echo: Pedestrian Heart blamed for buses running late

The Echo’s headline is slightly skewed, as problems caused by the Pedestrian Heart works will go away in time while problems with congestion will only get worse unless we get people out of their cars and onto public transport, bikes or their own two feet.

Unfortunately, while buses are unreliable and get stuck in the same traffic as cars people will not give them a chance. Darlington needs more bus lanes.

A proposed bus lane on North Road was not put in place because of protests from residents. This morning, and most mornings, there were only seven cars parked on North Road where this lane was proposed (from Thompson Street to Morrisons); otherwise buses could have a clear run cutting a huge chunk of time from their journey and make the bus much more attractive to those living in the North of the town.

Calls for traffic calming

Posted on by Posted in 20MPH, Haughton Road, North Road, speed limits, traffic calming

There are two pieces in today’s Northern Echo where residents of Darlington are calling for traffic calming and/or a reduced speed limit.

In today’s Northern Echo is a letter representing the views of residents of Eastmount Road, Darlington, calling for traffic calming. (The letter is from a Hurworth resident, which is why the Echo have incorrectly added Hurworth to the letter.) Having been in contact with the letter writer, I understand that residents would be supportive of a 20mph speed limit being introduced on Eastmount Road.

OVER many months, friends living on Eastmount Road have expressed concerns over the volume and speed of traffic using this road.

They have suffered a number of incidents involving damage to property and vehicles.

The extent of the danger was tragically illustrated by a fatal accident on this road in early December.

Therefore, on their behalf, I contacted Councillor Nick Wallis, Darlington Borough Council’s cabinet member for transport, to pass on their concerns in the hope that traffic-calming measures may be considered for the area.

This road is potentially a key link for cyclists as it connects both Haughton Road and North Road to Valley Street from which the town centre will soon be accessible without needing to ride on the ring road. It may also link with the Riverside Path, if this is extended past Magnet.

In view of the fatalities and damage to property on a residential street, its proximity to a play area, and its importance to the town’s cycle network, it seems clear to me that Eastmount Road/John Street is a prime candidate for traffic calming and a reduced speed limit.

Update: ianh has posted Nick Wallis’ response on the Town Liar forum