[pockstone]

Following on from the sabotage of Queensbury tunnel and the unauthorised vandalism of Great Musgrave bridge, yet another example of National Highways destroying heritage infrastructure and preventing proposed cycling/walking routes.

This possible extension to the Spofforth- Wetherby railway cycle  route would provide a much needed traffic free crossing of the river Wharfe, and connect Tadcaster to Wetherby and beyond. Who are these people supposed to be accountable to and working for?

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[chrisonabike]

Presumably because “our job

Presumably because “our job is management, development and maintenance of the strategic road network” (plus signage and standards).

Apparently they took over the Historical Railways Estate just under 10 years back as this was moved around between companies.  They are now “responsible for looking after it”.

Does anyone know what the story is?

Did someone do a quick evaluation and say something like the following: “right – these aren’t needed for new A-roads or motorways.  They’re still costing us cash though.  Also some might fall on people / disrupt roads.   We need to avoid these liabilites.  We’ve managed to get some money to sort this – so if we can’t knock ’em down just fill ’em in”.

I would speculate “strategic” and “cycling” / “active travel” are utterly unrelated in the thinking of the people who make these decisions.  Since they’re “roads” presumably it’s not their business to consider if we might need these again – sooner – for some kind of … train.  If we cut down on our road use?

Local authorities sometimes have a broader understanding.  Although not always in a “cycling-friendly” way.  Edinburgh has installed a new generation of signs and signboards * on some of its former railway lines (now paths).  Some of these suggest that one day these will be converted back into e.g. tram lines because this is “clean” and “reliable” transport.  Sorry mate – we still can’t see the cyclists (or even walkers)!

* This is of course useful, but I wonder just how much has been spent on signs now and whether over the last few years that’s a cycle-path’s-worth of cash?  Very rare that signs are controversial of course, and they don’t reduce space for drivers.  But you can proudly announce the money you’ve spent on active travel!

[Author]

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