Salford's roundabout for cyclists

[6Foot2]

Link: Salford unveils roundabout for cyclists • Salford City Council

 

 

Salford’s first ever cycle lane roundabout has been unveiled – and it could be the first of its kind in the country.

 

It’s part of the multi-million pound Trafford Road changes - Salford City Council’s biggest ever road improvement scheme - and has been designed to help cyclists and pedestrians, particularly those with visual impairment, safely navigate a point where two cycle lanes cross.

 

The new roundabout sits at the junction of segregated cycle lanes – ie ones separated from motor traffic – which run north-south along Trafford Road and east-west from Broadway and Rowland Street across Trafford Road.

 

After extensive consultation with members of the public, cyclists and groups representing people with a wide range of disabilities and visual impairment, the roundabout was created to provide the safest crossing solution.

 

Councillor Mike McCusker, lead member for planning and sustainable development, said: “This is possibly the first roundabout of its kind in the country, so it is certainly creating some debate and we have had a lot of positive feedback.

 

“The roundabout allows pedestrians to cross the junction safely in two short moves so they only have to be aware of one lane of cycle traffic at a time. It provides a quicker crossing for them and is safer than trying to cross a wider junction with traffic from both directions. It has been designed to accommodate people on foot or in wheelchairs or pushing buggies.

 

“Cyclists circulate round it like a ‘normal’ road roundabout so they, too, can get round this junction safely without putting pedestrians in danger.”

 

The Trafford Road scheme has seen every junction along both sides of the mile-long road upgraded to improve traffic movement for all road users and make crossings safer for pedestrians and cyclists. A mile of segregated cycle track has also been introduced as part of a package of measures to encourage more cycling along with new crossings and signals.

[FN-GM]

Is this actually needed? It's not like it's a hive of activity!

[MrEprise]

I wonder whether it'll get used properly. Based on the first picture, I can see some of the cyclists (the ones cycling adjacent to Trafford Road) just running over the top of the middle bit, much like most motorists when using mini-roundabouts.

[Dos_Box]

I cycle a lot and find that just bizzare and pointless.

There are plenty of cycle paths around me that have 'junctions' and no one has ever needed a roundabout. Everyone will slow down for a corner or turn on them.

I do have to wonder what the thinking was.

Mind you, they are putting in a load of new cycleways in Prston at the moment. Just not where they are needed. They assume cyclists will just use main roads (with their new cycleways) which almost all have large, and often steep hills on. Cyclists don't go on these routes as they can go direct to their destinations in most cases, that and that Preston is the UK's third wettest city making cycling not exactly a widespread way of getting to work.

[FN-GM]

lI can see some of the cyclists (the ones cycling adjacent to Trafford Road) just running over the top of the middle bit

 

I just spotted this on Twitter. Looks like you’re correct!

 

[Dos_Box]

Wait until someone sees that and has the idea for speed bumps for cyclists!

[FN-GM]

Wait until someone sees that and has the idea for speed bumps for cyclists!

 

The cycling traffic lights might come first….

[Dos_Box]

The cycling traffic lights might come first….

 

Is that so once they have spent tons on making cycleways they can dig them up again?

[6Foot2]

Is that so once they have spent tons on making cycleways they can dig them up again?

 

Just waiting for that to get the green light...

[Andrew_C]

Just waiting for that to get the green light...

Why? The cyclists won't.

[Dos_Box]

Just waiting for that to get the green light...

 

Off to the puns thread with you!