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Cyclist detection and warning system to be added to Chichester’s Northgate Gyratory

But local cyclists say fundamental road design issues remain

Drivers on Chichester’s Northgate Gyratory will be warned of the presence of cyclists via a new detection and warning system reports the Chichester Observer. Electronic signs will be triggered whenever anyone is riding in the continuous green cycle lane, warning motorists of the cyclist’s presence.

Northgate Gyratory – also known as the Fire Station Roundabout – has seen eight cyclists involved in injury collisions in the last three years. The work, which is scheduled to start on March 30 and which will take around two weeks, is intended to address that. The project will cost £210,000 with £140,000 from the Local Sustainable Transport Fund (LSTF) and the rest from West Sussex County Council’s road safety budget.

Ed Clark, a senior cycle training officer, said:

“Northgate’s quite a busy environment so when you’re in the cycle lane you’re on the outside of the flow of traffic it can make you a bit less visible to motorists so the boards that are going up are just going to make motorists a bit more aware that a cyclist’s approaching.”

However, local cyclist Paul Wreyford said that while the new signs were an improvement, fundamental problems remained.

“The cycle lane design remains very similar to the existing layout. There still remains the danger and conflict that I and many of my neighbours have experienced on this system.

“This is; the high speed of exiting traffic at each junction, the lack of visibility for the kerbside driver when two vehicles are at a two lane entry, the failure of drivers to signal when exiting, and the lack of lane discipline/lane markings on the gyratory system.

“Unfortunately I do not consider that these issues will be resolved by a design that concentrates mainly on improving lane safety for cyclists.”

West Sussex County Council is currently involved in three LSTF projects. £2.46m of LSTF funding has been secured for initiatives in Chichester and Horsham and the improvements to Northgate Gyratory are part of this. Other improvements for Chichester will include the development of a circular cycle route connecting the railway station to the Law Courts, the city centre and Westgate Leisure Centre as well as improvements to the layout of Chichester Railway Station for pedestrians, cyclists, taxis and cars.

In addition to this, the council is working alongside other organisations to improve sustainable access to the South Downs and New Forest national parks; and with the South Downs National Park Authority and neighbouring local transport authorities to improve cycling facilities within the park itself.

Alex has written for more cricket publications than the rest of the road.cc team combined. Despite the apparent evidence of this picture, he doesn't especially like cake.

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13 comments

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wycombewheeler | 9 years ago
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Could you imagine a gyratory where the left lane has to give way to people in the right lane wanting the exit? Why is it then acceptable for cyclists.

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wycombewheeler | 9 years ago
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The reason why cyclists have to give way (to the vehicle approaching from behind ) is that it has been clearly deomstrayed numerous times that drivers cannot be trusted to give way to cyclists when the cyclist has priority.

But you are left with this unusable facility. At timrs of peak flow it will be almost impossible to cross the exits and at quiet times there will be unnecessary delay stopping at each give way line to check if it is safe.

Better to put signs up reminding everyone that cycles are vehicles too and that at junctions like this yhey should be taking the line for safety.

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antigee | 9 years ago
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Fortunately not in my neighbourhood - a shocking design and one that's only intent is to maximise motorised vehicle flow - would be interested in what sort of speeds vehicles are travelling at?
Generally here in Melbourne, Aus roundabouts are a rarity but I still get fed up with the local council continuing to add cycle lanes to the inside of roundabouts when it is known they do not provide a safe place for cyclists to be - as an experienced cyclist I take the lane every time simply because it is safer - I don't see how providing infrastructure that is dangerous to the user equates with encouraging those nervous about being among vehicles to cycle - appreciate that the signs are an attempt to alter driver behaviour but the real fix is get rid of the inside cycle lanes and if need be (gasps of horror) reduce the speed of the traffic
here's an excellent research paper that suggests that not only should inside cycle lanes on roundabouts be removed but that structural changes should be made to encourage cyclists to take the primary position through roundabouts and this isn't only aimed at roundabouts on quiet residential streets

http://acrs.org.au/files/arsrpe/Cumming%20-%20High%20rate%20of%20crashes%20at%20roundabouts%20involving%20cyclists%20can%20be%20reduced.pdf
based on research in Australia but cites some European and UK work

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The Giblet | 9 years ago
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Why would anyone use the cycle lane if you have to stop and give way at every exit and entry on to the roundabout?
That is the problem and it would be better solved by continuing the cycle lane at a raised level and have drivers give way as they leave or enter by having to drive up a speed table. I believe the Dutch have done this extensively, especiallyu as this location is a gyratory rather than a roundabout in the traditional sense.

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The Giblet | 9 years ago
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Why would anyone use the cycle lane if you have to stop and give way at every exit and entry on to the roundabout?
That is the problem and it would be better solved by continuing the cycle lane at a raised level and have drivers give way as they leave or enter by having to drive up a speed table. I believe the Dutch have done this extensively, especiallyu as this location is a gyratory rather than a roundabout in the traditional sense.

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balmybaldwin | 9 years ago
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This roundabout hasnt changed in 20+ years, and is has the first cycle lanes that I ever saw. Its not surprising that its outdated.

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rcambrj | 9 years ago
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Oh good, a sign. That'll help.

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Shades | 9 years ago
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I've just been in New Zealand and there's quite a bit of this sort of thing, especially around Auckland. Not sure how effective it is as I did my biking on the S island with traffic being pretty sparse and very courteous to cyclists.

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workhard | 9 years ago
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Never, ever used the cycle lanes at Northgate. Far safer to ride round it like you would drive round it. Usually WSCC cycling toss. Different colour paint and some distracting signs, rather than real safety via real cycling infrastructure.

But then Pieter Montyn thinks cycling is only something you do for leisure on a Sunday morning and is probably convinced that all cyclists are impoverished yoghurt knitting failures who can't afford cars and don't vote Tory.

Treament of cycling across the whole county is a disgrace and the gap between LSTF bids and what is actually getting built is an out-and-out scandal. Up our way we have a WSCC approved and built cycle-route between Crawley and Horsham that requires a dismounted sprint across all four lanes of a NSL DC or a chance to dice with death on a roundabout on the same road. Cobblers.

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Olionabike replied to workhard | 9 years ago
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workhard wrote:

Up our way we have a WSCC approved and built cycle-route between Crawley and Horsham that requires a dismounted sprint across all four lanes of a NSL DC or a chance to dice with death on a roundabout on the same road. Cobblers.

I cycled some of the South Downs Way at the weekend. That had a sprint across 4 lanes of traffic as well. My boyfriend particularly liked the way they hadn't dropped the kerbs, it was the only thing we encountered where his hardtail had an advantage over my cyclocross steed. It would have been even more fun in summer with kids.

We encouraged my boyfriends dad to dust off his town bike for the first time in years. Wonder how long he lasts till WSCC scare him off again.

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UrbanBushman | 9 years ago
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I hate this roundabout. Its safer to use the road than the cycle lane. While in the lane you have to give way to trafic both leaving and joining the roundabout, its madness. On some of the juctions you end up having to look in 3 diferent locations at the same time and guess what the non signaling car drivers are going to do. I ride on the road then i can follow the same rules as every body else. The best solution would be to make the lane a true part of the roundabout with the appropiate right of way.

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grahamTDF | 9 years ago
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Always been bemused as to why this roundabout is included in the local club 10k TT course....

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Accessibility f... | 9 years ago
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Good God, just look at it:

https://goo.gl/maps/zc7XE

Cyclists expected to stay left and give way at every junction - on a gyratory. It's a recipe for disaster. What's needed there is a double-width cycle lane, in combination with big changes to each exit - so that vehicles actually have to slow down before zooming off each exit. And cyclists and pedestrians should have priority at each exit, as might be the case overseas.

But of course this would involve slowing traffic down and as we all know, to councils, you might as well burn a Koran in ISIS-controlled territory. So instead they choose to blow money on warning schemes, rather than ENGINEER THE PROBLEM OUT OF EXISTENCE.

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