All posts in Campaigning

Watford Green Loop will launch soon

Categories: Campaigning
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Watford Borough Council (WBC) have announced that Watford Green Loop will be officially opened by the Mayor on Monday 17th November

Spokes conceived the idea of a circular cycling route around Watford in 2019 using quiet roads and existing off-road tracks. WBC adopted, and improved, the idea including widening a shared use path in Cassiobury Park

The 6.5 mile route ranges from the bustling Watford Junction railway station to tranquil Cassiobury Park and connects key locations, serene open spaces and valued heritage sites, using the popular National Cycle Route 6, Ebury Way and a joined up network of cycle paths. Signage for the route is currently being installed and will be complete in the next few weeks

The launch will be celebrated with Spokes leading rides around the route. Watch out for further details and visit the WBC website to download a leaflet, see a map of the route and link to a Spokes designed gps route that you can download

https://www.watford.gov.uk/greenloop

On or before 21 August Hertfordshire County Council (HCC) contractors closed the shared use path between Oxhey Activity Park and the Retail Park with barriers each side of the Railway Viaduct. Signage from the Activity Park for Pedestrians led them on to Dalton Way to walk in the road with their back to the traffic. From the High Street the sign at the Railway Viaduct simply directed Pedestrians back the way they had come

This very dangerous situation remained for at least two weeks, after which barriers were erected to provide protection for pedestrians walking along Dalton Way. Spokes have informed Watford Borough Council (WBC) of our concern that this danger was created and remained a danger for so long. WBC have passed our concerns on to HCC

We have since received an update that the emergency works have been permitted by HCC and are likely to continue until late October

Innovative smart sensor technology is being tested on Solihull’s A34 Stratford Road in a bid to make busy crossings safer for cyclists and pedestrians

Transport for West Midlands (TfWM), part of the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), and Solihull Council have installed the ground-breaking technology at a toucan crossing near Blythe Valley. Sensors, developed by VivaCity, detect cyclists 20-30 meters away from the crossing compared to standard technology and enable the traffic signals to go green quicker, giving cyclists a smoother, uninterrupted journey on their bikes

The sensors use intelligent video analytics and advanced algorithms to accurately and anonymously classify users and avoid false detections, which could otherwise disrupt traffic flow. This not only improves safety but also encourages more people to consider cycling as a convenient and stress-free option for their daily journeys

This pilot marks the first use of such sensors for this purpose in the region, and it is expected to serve as a model for future projects aimed at reducing vehicle dependency and improving the quality of life for all road users in the West Midlands

For more information click here

Cycling Trip to Bruges in 2025

Categories: Campaigning
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Lovely, flat cycling in Bruges, Belgium, one of the most picturesque cities in Northern Europe

Netherlands has a reputation for well served for cyclists but Belgium is just as good

More information

In 2025 we hope to have more than one cycling trip so keep your eyes open!

Potholes are more than a nuisance, they can be a serious danger to cyclists and others. In the UK, there’s an average of one road defect for every 110 metres of road!

Local councils have a duty to maintain the roads, but they can only fill a pothole if they know about it. If you want it repaired, you have to report it

Link to Report or find a hazard

SPOKES have been promoting the Green Ring for several years with the aim of providing a safe circular route around the centre of Watford, linking the various access routes into the town centre

Hertfordshire County Council – Highways Authority, will be responsible for any improvements to roads that form part of the Green Ring in Watford

The Watford Council website has a useful page giving details of the plans for improving the eastern loop of the Green Ring. It also shows a strategy for future transport in the area with an emphasis on walking & cycling

Link to Walking and Cycling Schemes

The video below was created by Watford Council and shows a ‘cycle-through’ the proposed eastern loop of the Green Ring

Watford Green Ring leaflet

Categories: Campaigning
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SPOKES have produced a double-sided A5 leaflet describing the 7-mile walking and cycling route around Watford that has been formally adopted by Watford Borough Council

The leaflet is distributed to local shops, look out for it!


Green-Ring-Leaflet

Water Lane in Watford Observer

Categories: Campaigning
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SPOKES campaign for improving the safety at the Water Lane/Lower High Street junction in Watford is on the front page of the currnt issue of the Watford Observer.

There is a summary on the front page and a full article on page 4 with the opening sentence: “Campaigners are celebrating as a dangerous junction is set to receive a share of £4.6 million fund for road safety improvements.”

The article, illustrated with two photographs, features an interview with SPOKES chairman Peter Jackson

Update on Water Lane junction

Categories: Campaigning
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See the article in Watford Observer entitled ‘Campaigners are celebrating as a “dangerous” junction is set to receive a share of a £4.6 million fund for safety improvements’ with a picture provided by SPOKES.

There is space for you to add comments where you may wish to press for police action on drivers ignoring the stop sign.

https://www.watfordobserver.co.uk/news/23571748.dangerous-lower-high-street-water-lane-junction-changes/#comments-anchor

Water Lane/High Street update

Categories: Campaigning
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Watford High Street Cycle Lane Danger solution adopted by Herts County Council (HCC)

SPOKES have supported Hertfordshire County Councillor Stephen Giles-Medhurst in his efforts to get an already costed and approved plan, for reconstructing the dangerous junction of the Watford High Street Cycle Lane with Water Lane, actioned as a high priority. We know of at least 3 cyclists being hit by cars there and numerous near misses. We have observed that 90% of drivers turning from Water Lane to go up the High Street towards King Street do not stop at the stop line or look right before emerging.

We set up a petition on the HCC Website and publicised the urgent need to reduce the risk of a cyclist, wheelchair user or pedestrian being killed. We are pleased to report that HCC have agreed to include the necessary work in this financial year (2023/4) and Stephen is continuing pressure to ensure that happens.

The plan below shows the layout of the new junction. Key changes are moving the Cycle Lane out further into the High Street, to improve the Cyclists’ sight line, and reducing Water Lane to one lane of traffic with a more distinct turn so it is less easy for drivers to treat the right turn more like a bend than a road junction. It may not be a complete solution but will definitely be an improvement. It may be necessary to continue our so far unsuccessful efforts to get Police enforcement of the STOP Sign.