Letter to the Council objecting to flat-top humps on Hallfields Road
PH Owens
H Norris
RE: ESTABLISHMENT OF ROAD HUMPS AND RAISED JUNCTIONS - HALLFIELDS ROAD, WITHERS AVENUE, SMITH DRIVE AND HALLOWS AVENUE Dear Mr Norris, I am writing to raise an objection on behalf or the Warrington Cycle Campaign to the proposed flat-top road humps on Hallfields Road, Withers Avenue, Smith Drive and Hallows Avenue. Although we support the aim of the scheme to reduce traffic speed, we are very concerned about the safety of the chosen hump design. Both Hallfields Road and Smith Drive form links in the emerging cycle network identified in Warrington's local transport plan so the council should be paying particular attention to the needs of cyclists using these roads. The most dangerous feature of the design is the termination of the humps 200mm from the kerb. This will create a steep transverse slope near to the edge of the road where cyclists ride. We understand that the purpose of this may be to create a drainage channel, however there are other means of achieving this end without endangering cyclists. One alternative would be to terminate the hump 1 - 1.5m from the kerb so that cyclists could safely pass through the gap without having to ride over the hump. Another possibility would be to provide a gully on the upstream side of the hump so that it could be extended all the way to the kerb. We are also concerned at the proposed shape of the humps. While pedal cycles do not tend to pose a problem with respect to excessive speed, cyclists do suffer disproportionate discomfort from traffic calming measures compared to the drivers of vehicles at which the features are targeted. Flat-top humps are particularly uncomfortable to ride over due to the steep approach ramps. Humps with a sinusoidal profile or round-top humps are equally effective at reducing vehicle speeds, but are much more comfortable for cyclists. Could you please send us a copy of the cycle audit for the scheme. Yours sincerely
Pete Owens
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