Autumn Route Check 2023 / National Forest Community Ranger role

Following the first frosts and in-car warnings of potential ice, it's time to consider an extra layer for sure.  Thankfully the weather was a little warmer this morning and although a tad drizzly I thought I'd do a check on our local section of National Cycle Network.

Very Autumnal Swainspark Wood

Checking for signage issues, obstructions and general surface check, I cycled from Castle Gresley up to Tunnel Woods, through Swainspark Wood, through to Spring Cottage, down the Ashby Wolds Heritage Trail through Moria and up as far as Donisthorpe before heading back down the Ashby Canal back past Moira Furnace, Conkers Waterside & Discovery before heading back past Albert Village Lake and up through Church Gresley.

Valuable work done next to the route.

This time of year is interesting due to the amount of leaves on the surface and also to judge how well the paths are holding out after wet weather.  There are parts of the route that are a bit muddy and may need some remedial work doing as has been done in the past.  That said there were no significant issues to note which was good as it wasn't the best weather to replace signs.

A Christmas feel to the Conka-choo tunnel!

It was nice to see a poster highlighting an award for groups associated with the Moira Nature reserve following some recent work to improve the ponds.  It was also nice to note a Christmas Fair at the Miners Welfare centre in Donisthorpe which looked well attended and Conkers looked busy given the time of year.

A-gate removed from Conkers link

The Autumnal feel at the start of the ride gave way to a more Christmas feeling on approach to Conkers where the Christmas activities are getting into full swing.  The Conka-choo in particular has been given a Christmas makeover.

Whilst the paths were relatively quiet there were still a fair few hardy souls out walking whilst the canal had a fair number of ducks, moorhens, coots and swans as normal.

One aspect I looked into was the status of the A-gate barrier removal in line with the Paths for Everyone project for access for all.  Whilst some places still have the barriers they are gradually being replaced which is good to see, and signage is being added with NCN 63 directions.

We'll need to have a run down to Measham soon to capture the other part of our section and hopefully get this done before the end of the year.

Meanwhile we have been asked to share that there is an opportunity being advertised within the National Forest Company for a community ranger.  The closing date to apply is 5th December.  For more information click on this link.  Please note the link will expire after the closing date.

Burton Station Street Cycle Lanes

 After a relatively quiet end to the summer, I was invited to an event to celebrate the opening of some new cycling infrastructure in Burton.  Having attracted attention in the local media, as mentioned in our blog Autumn update last year, the Station Street cycle lane project is now complete.  

At Cross Street junction with Regional director Clare

Station Street, rather unsurprisingly links Burton town centre with the railway station.  As a busy route into the town centre it has not always been the most popular route for cyclists and the signed National Cycle Network route has been signed via quieter side streets with links to the station from those streets.  Whilst supposed to be subject to a 30mph limit, like a lot of places, this is not always the case with speeding and overtaking being noted on several occasions despite being a built up area. 

Approach to Burton Station

The result of the scheme is a safe segregated cycle lane running in one direction on either side of the road with priority for cyclists given at junctions and clear marking at traffic signals.  The work has been completed to a high standard and it is very clear which part is for cycling as the pictures will show.  Most people should be able to use them as intended.  Hopefully it will encourage those who aren't as confident as experienced cyclists to cycle into town.

Clear marking at start of segregation.

The finished scheme has not been easy due to enforced design changes and the archeology beneath Station Street.  The initial design had points where it would have too narrow for buses to pass and although it could have been managed with a priority chicane it was appropriate for a redesign to ensure that the problem was resolved.  During construction and realignment of paths on the street, it was important to take care around several obstacles hidden beneath the surface.  As normal this includes services such as water, gas, fibre optic cables and particular to this location were old tram tracks from the Burton and Ashby Joint Tramway.

Clear marking at junctions

Given these obstructions, the end result has been well achieved and it was good to be able to celebrate the opening at a small publicity event set up by Staffordshire County Council (SCC).  I was invited along with Sustrans Regional Director Clare Maltby, SCC Cabinet member for Highways and Transport, David Williams and East Staffordshire Borough Council cabinet member for regeneration and development, Rob Hawkins.  Details of the press release on Staffordshire County Council website can be found via this link.

Brewery entrance junction.

During the event, Clare and I rode our bikes up and down a few times.  I was impressed by the space afforded to cyclists and the very visual signposting of the path.  The path runs all the way from the Guild Street junction to the station as a continuous segregated cycle lane in direction of the station.  From the station back into town, the first section from the station is on the main carriageway until the Mosley Street junction where the segregated cycle lane starts.

Due to the redesign there are a couple of nip-points, specifically around the pedestrian crossing near Grants Yard junction where the path is narrow.  Feedback has been given on this and hopefully a small tweak will be made soon.  The main other issue with the scheme is that it currently stands alone due to lack of other dedicated infrastructure in the area but hopefully will become part of a more integrated scheme for the town going forward and this may see NCN route 63 resigned in the future.  I've already started using the lanes on my daily commute to monitor usage despite it being a detour to use it.

Recently I drove to Burton Station to pick someone up and it was the first time I'd driven up the street since the changes.  The change to the road is a subtle narrowing but there has definitely been a change to the street scene which should encourage drivers to drive appropriately.

There has been a negative media rhetoric focusing on the disruption caused rather than the benefits of the scheme.  Even the report about the opening, which can be found here, has a headline focusing on potentially negative aspects despite carrying a relatively positive and well balanced story which explains that no local money from highways budget was spent on the scheme.

However, no point dwelling on those negatives when there are so many positives relating to the finished product.  I hope it is followed by further infrastructure soon.