A new cycle route and pedestrian improvements are planned by Derby City Council between Mercian Way and Curzon Street. They will make this area much more accommodating for cycling and walking. There is one big change that DCG have asked the designers to make but we urge you to use the link below to support the plan but also to propose this amendment before 1st December.
The scheme is part of a strategic route which will eventually link the city centre and Royal Derby Hospital, enabling more of the 10,000 people who work there to cycle to work, so it is a really important piece of cycle route and you must support it if you would like to see cycle transport move on in Derby.
At DCG we like the plan, but we have asked that the part between Mercian Way and Abbey Street be made into a two-way segregated cycle path, with the part along Abbey Street to Curzon Street being a one-way, segregated cycle path. We have asked that the end of Monk Street be made into a pedestrian and cyclist priority crossing, utilising the recently approved Parallel Crossing (like a Zebra with a cycle crossing next to it with the same rules on priority as a zebra – commonplace in Europe but only recently approved for use in the UK).
Please use the link below before 1st December to send an e-mail to support the plan but mention this amendment to it: Traffic.Management@derby.gov.uk
We believe a dedicated cycle path is better than a shared pavement because:
- It provides much better continuity for the cycle route than a shared path
- It gives pedestrians and cyclists their own space, which is needed because cyclists will be travelling through this area; it is not a major destination in its self.
- It provides a better crossing for cyclists and pedestrians across Abbey Street into Macklin Street and the end of Monk Street
- Cycle infrastructure today needs to move beyond shared pavements; cycling needs to be designed-in as a primary form of transport, not an after thought.
The council design document can be seen here: http://www.derby.gov.uk/transport-and-streets/cycling/abbey-st-consultation/
Enlarged plans: Abbey Street – Curzon Street Plan
The DCG letter to the design team is here: Abbey Street-Curzon Street Letter