Although a lot of our cycle network is based on rural sections around the Heart of the National Forest and the Conkers area, we also monitor more urban sections. Where possible we try to avoid using roads. When avoiding roads this is normally done by a shared path. There are quite a few of these paths now being developed around Swadlincote.
We are monitoring the formation of cyle routes around new developments either side of Swadlincote Town centre and recently carried out a quick check.
The first part of the ride was a check on the new estate off William Nadin Way that will carry NCN63 towards Newhall and Stanton once complete. The estate features a stone based theme with Ruby, Emerald and Marble amongst the new street names. The estate has expanded fair bit in terms of houses from when I reported the initial progress last Spring as featured in this link. However there is nothing more to report in terms of any notable cycling infrastructure but will continue to monitor throughout the coming months.
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| Explanation Sign |
Between the new estates and the route through Swadlincote there have still been no significant changes. The new development Cadley View Care home looks finished but there have been no noticeable amends to the route carrying NCN63 past the site from Darklands Lane. The resigning of the route away from Civic Way via Toumlin Drive to the back of the Fire Station has still not been done. One of our planned early rides next year will look at this more closely.
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| Picture 1 - looking back towards Ski Centre |
Away from NCN63 there is now shared path provision along the new Woodville to Swadlincote Regeneration Route. This route has recently been completed and will feature housing and industrial use and also form an alternative route for local traffic avoiding the busy Clock Island on the A511 in Woodville.
This means there is an off road cycle route from Morrisons Petrol Station / Ski Centre all the way to the edge of Blackfordby via the relatively new housing estates on the Moira end of Woodville.
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| Picture 2 - Derby Road Roundabout |
I took the chance to ride the new route using the newly created shared path and although I am pleased that there is now a new section of cycling infrastructure there are aspects of the design that are not ideal.
The main issue with the route is that on the new sections and the linking section towards the ski slope, the shared path is only on one side of the road, which does offer an off road route into Swadlincote Woodlands Park as shown in Picture 1. For access to the regeneration route this means that potentially busy roads have to be crossed unnecessarily despite there being ample room for a shared path either side. Only at the Ski Centre / Morrisons petrol station junction is there a protected toucan crossing.
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| Picture 3 - Crossing point on new route |
The next crossing point as shown in picture 2 is across 2 lanes, a refuge then another lane adjacent to the new roundabout at the former Woodhouse Street junction. This roundabout looks like it will be busy, so a shared path on the Ski-slope side (an upgrade to an existing path) would be very useful and avoid the need to cross here.
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| Picture 4 - View towards Woodville |
The next point to negotiate is the crossing of Woodhouse Street which is offset from the roundabout and traffic accessing Church Gresley has to use the new by-bass and double back at the first roundabout, but care needs to be taken when crossing.
At this point it looks like the route is now free and easy to ride, however the path on the right hand side towards Woodville is not actually a designated shared path, so following the letter of the law another crossing is necessary as shown in picture 3. This seems a bit daft, particular as the shared path side is punctuated with more junctions, mainly from a local business access points and the shared path is not given priority at these junctions.
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| Picture 5 - Good wide smooth surface |
The surface of the path is new and wide which makes for a good ride up towards the edge of Woodville as shown in pictures 4 & 5 so it is a shame that it is designed to give way frequently at junctions and cross the road more often than necessary.
Currently the area is still under development and the landscape reveals familiar landmarks from new angles. This includes the kilns of the former TG Green pottery. As time goes by, these landmarks will be surrounded by new buildings including new housing so it would be beneficial to have shared path access on both sides of the main road rather than instruction to cross as shown in picture 6 looking back towards Swadlincote.
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| Picture 6 - time to cross again |
The route links the estates on the Derbyshire and Leicestershire border with Swadlincote and these estates already carry a shared path to the outskirts of Blackfordby so there is now a continuous shared path / off road route for around 2 miles into and out of Swadlincote. Ideally we'd like to find a suitable link from Woodville back to Route 63 near Conkers but current off road links are only really suitable for walking.
Overall the new route is a much welcome addition to the off road cycling infrastructure locally and should provide safe passage for many cyclists and walkers for commuting and leisure as this area develops over coming years. The surface of the paths are smooth and well built and will hopefully age well. However, there are aspects of the design that are questionable and too many enforced crossings, especially given that most of this route is effectively a blank canvas. Not sure whether this is due to poor design standards or effect of budget requirements and need to compromise.
