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MP says it is "a matter of time" before a cyclist is killed on stretch of Nottingham tramway

Calls for rubber inserts to be put into the tracks

Broxtowe MP Anna Soubry says it is only ‘a matter of time’ before a new section of tramway in Chilwell results in the death of a cyclist. Soubry wants to speak to the tram's operators, the local police inspector and representatives of local councils about what she sees as an unsafe stretch of road for those on bikes.

A cyclist, who did not wish to be identified, was recently hit by a car after the wheel of his bike got stuck in tracks on the stretch of tramway between Central College on High Road and Devonshire Avenue.

Soubry told the Nottingham Post that urgent action was required. "The road becomes very narrow and there's little distance between the tram track and the raised pavement. It doesn't matter what the hazard is and it's nothing to do with the tram – it's about a road that's not safe. It's hurting my constituents and causing them serious injury."

Seemingly of a mind that the stretch of road is currently unfit for cycling, Soubry has called for clear signage telling cyclists to dismount. She also suggests that rubber inserts could be added along this part of the tram route.

Such a measure would be supported by Angela Barnett-Connolly, who fell off her bike as she crossed the tram tracks in Chilwell Road last year – an incident that resulted in her requiring 12 stitches after her glasses embedded in her head.

"If rubber inserts are put into the tracks there is no way a tyre could get caught in there. My accident wouldn't have happened if these would have been in the tracks – they have them in places like Denmark and campaigners are trying to get them in Edinburgh and Sheffield too.

"We're trying to encourage people not to use cars and to cycle wherever they can because it's a great form of transport, but we're putting their lives at risk."

Tram tracks have caused issues for cyclists in many cities around the UK. Last year, the Cycle Sheffield campaign group claimed that they presented the biggest danger to local cyclists with more than 120 incidents recorded in a six month period; in Edinburgh, a firm of lawyers is dealing with nearly 100 claims against the city council following tram track injuries; while in Manchester, a number of cyclists are suing Metrolink after coming off their bikes on tramlines.

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11 comments

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cczmark | 8 years ago
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I emailed local cycling pressure group 'pedals.org' (as much use as a chocolate fireguard but that's another issue...) stating the design of this stretch at the Hop Pole stop was not fit for purpose, and predicting a serious injury or death as a direct result.

Unfortunately my prediction has come true - the cyclist was in a coma for weeks and suffered broken ribs (all on one side), arms etc due to being run over by a following car.

FYI the MP (whatever you may think of her politics) has actively taken this issue up and is holding an open meeting on 26/02 (do not have venue info).

In the meantime the design remains as before with no interim or temporary measures to mitigate the risk.

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P3t3 | 8 years ago
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This is a revelation, the MP isn't blaming cyclists!

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A V Lowe | 8 years ago
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Old-style trams went down the middle of the street and we had Tram Pinch signs to warn when the rails got close to the kerb. Re-engineering new systems on to modern streets does not always allow this.

Track was in later systems (Glasgow's 1930's network) largely reserved.

There are around 5 ways that rails in the road can cause problems for vehicles with rubber tyres - in particular cycle tyres, and especially cycle tyres less than 37mm tyre diameter (the groove is almost a perfect wedge fit for 37-XXX tyre sizes) 

2 key ways to reduce risk of a fall 1) do not cycle too slowly when crossing the rails at a shallow angle 2) do not apply a strong turning or braking force when crossing the rails at ANY angle.

2 key factors in track presentation 1) rail must not be raised significantly above the abutting road surfaces (original NET track - install to +0mm -6mm limit - action required (Sheffield) when steel is more than +3mm above road surface) 2) abutting road surfaces to be flat/smooth and high friction finish. 

Attempts to fill the groove on tram rails have been tried out for many years - I've studied this since 1989 - for some vary basic reasons this will never work with grooved rails - and the tight curves on tram tracks require the use of grooved rails.  On straight plain track standard vignole rail can be used and standard level crossing systems can be fitted. 

 

 

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Dr_Lex | 8 years ago
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Guerilla op. with a few cans of builders' expanding foam?

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zanf | 8 years ago
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Someone riding over rubber inlay filled tracks in Chicago

 

The solution isnt difficult.

 

 

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flathunt replied to zanf | 8 years ago
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zanf wrote:

Someone riding over rubber inlay filled tracks in Chicago

The solution isnt difficult.

Yeah, but "Rubber filled flangeway"?

Fnirk fnirk....

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Mungecrundle | 8 years ago
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Not just cyclists, but motorcycles and mopeds are also likely to find these rail tracks highly dangerous.

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cookdn | 8 years ago
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I guess this is the section under discussion - Google Streetview.

Unfortunately the raised area of pavement in the middle of the carriageway, presumeably to stop motorists from attempting to overtake stationary trams, will discourage many cyclists from taking a primary position on that section of road.

Primary, between the rails, is the safe position but taking it requires the consideration of following motorists. Rubber inserts will help but the still leaves a very slippery rail in the wet, directly where many cyclists will end-up avoiding the raised pavement at the tram stop.

Ultimately this comes down to sharing the road space. Maybe there needs to be signage warning motorists to slow down for cyclists?

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Awavey replied to cookdn | 8 years ago
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cookdn wrote:

I guess this is the section under discussion - Google Streetview.

Unfortunately the raised area of pavement in the middle of the carriageway, presumeably to stop motorists from attempting to overtake stationary trams, will discourage many cyclists from taking a primary position on that section of road.

Primary, between the rails, is the safe position but taking it requires the consideration of following motorists. Rubber inserts will help but the still leaves a very slippery rail in the wet, directly where many cyclists will end-up avoiding the raised pavement at the tram stop.

Ultimately this comes down to sharing the road space. Maybe there needs to be signage warning motorists to slow down for cyclists?

but if that is the section, it looks like the intent of the people who "planned" that part,are expecting cyclists to move onto the pavement around the tram stop, which becomes a shared cycle path at that point, its not very well signed,clearly marked or even that obvious, but there are a couple of signs, and a road marking pointing you that way, whether that is in fact any better a solution, I dont know.

the issue with riding centrally within the rails is at somepoint you still have to cross them again and not necessarily at a right angle to get beyond them.

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cookdn replied to Awavey | 8 years ago
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Awavey wrote:

but if that is the section, it looks like the intent of the people who "planned" that part,are expecting cyclists to move onto the pavement around the tram stop, which becomes a shared cycle path at that point, its not very well signed,clearly marked or even that obvious, but there are a couple of signs, and a road marking pointing you that way, whether that is in fact any better a solution, I dont know. the issue with riding centrally within the rails is at somepoint you still have to cross them again and not necessarily at a right angle to get beyond them.

Blimey, by shared use you mean this (Streetview). Look at the bit further up where the trams actually stop, that's going to work well (not) and puts some context on the call for cyclists who have left the carriageway to dismount.  2

Crossing rails isn't ideal but these raised sections of pavement at tram stops were installed on the Sheffield tram system back in the mid-nineties when I was commuting into Sheffield city-centre by bike. Crossing into the middle of the rails was the safest strategy.

Ironically a change of job will put me back on my bike, this time into Nottingham city-centre. My likely route will be again shared with the trams as well as the motorists for some distance. I've yet to do a reccy.

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kitsunegari | 8 years ago
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Glad that the MP is involved in something like this, I wish Daniel Zeichner in Cambridge gave as much of a damn.

However, lets hope that

Quote:

Seemingly of a mind that the stretch of road is currently unfit for cycling, Soubry has called for clear signage telling cyclists to dismount.

doesn't become the central part of making the road safer, and that the actual solution of rubber inserts is persued.

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