Bristol-Bath Railway Path improvement work

[whole diary]

[Kempis]

Nash Metropolitan
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nash_Metropolitan
American car made by Austin the ones in the video where proberbly being moved from Longbridge to Avonmouth.

Thank you, Tony! I had just found it myself. Not a car I've come across, but I see they were mainly made for export.

[stuving]

Nash Metropolitan
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nash_Metropolitan
American car made by Austin the ones in the video where proberbly being moved from Longbridge to Avonmouth.

Thank you, Tony! I had just found it myself. Not a car I've come across, but I see they were mainly made for export.

Though rare, they were quite well-known here in the 1960s. I guess the distinctive looks made up for the low numbers. And - whatever their official name - I knew them as Nash Metropolitans.  Mind you, that Nash was often confused with Frazer-Nash.

[Western Pathfinder]

They were strangely entertaining to drive! and had upside down kingpins in the front suspension set up .

[Red Squirrel]

Here's an illustration of how a double-track railway can be converted into a high-capacity cycle path and an attractive park at the same time. Imagine how much better it would have been if they'd had a double track broad gauge formation to play with.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gG6c22OHobk

[Bmblbzzz]

Compared to the plans Sustrans have/had for BBRP, that does seem to be far more of a linear path and less of a windy, crossy-sidey, pretty park.


(As an aside, I wish those BicycleDutch videos would find another narrator; that guy's voice sends me to sleep.)

[Richard Fairhurst]

Easier to manage conflict in Utrecht, though, where there's high-quality cycle infrastructure everywhere. The issue with the BBRP is that it's pretty much the only good-quality, safe cycle route for miles around, so everyone from high-speed Stravaites to toddlers on balance bikes gets funneled onto the one path.

[Red Squirrel]

Easier to manage conflict in Utrecht, though, where there's high-quality cycle infrastructure everywhere. The issue with the BBRP is that it's pretty much the only good-quality, safe cycle route for miles around, so everyone from high-speed Stravaites to toddlers on balance bikes gets funneled onto the one path.

Agreed. But I'd still feel much safer if there was a hedge between my toddler and the cyclists...

[Bmblbzzz]

From what I see, although that is limited to videos, that particular path in Utrecht is unusual for the Netherlands in having a hedge between cyclists and pedestrians. On most Dutch paths your toddler would either be on the cycle-side with everyone from Granny to the Stravaites or on the foot-side but the two are adjacent. But it seems to work in part because the paths are "roads for cycling" so cope with both toddlers and Stravaites side-by-side.

Anyway, I agree with Richard on the BBRP; the best improvement to it would to be create some other infrastructure in a completely different part of town.

[CyclingSid]

Part of NCN 5 going south out of Oxford has pedestrians and cyclists paths separated by a hedge. Assuming users take notice of the signs.

[Red Squirrel]

There's been quite a lot of rumbling on the Bristol Cyclists Facebook group about an increase in people being attacked between Fishponds and Mangotsfield. Now the BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page) are reporting it:

Bristol to Bath cycle path plagued by attacks

Cyclists and runners who use a popular pathway connecting Bristol and Bath are calling for action after being subjected to attacks and intimidation.

Duncan Edwards said the incidents along the Bristol and Bath Railway Path are becoming more frequent and serious.

Fellow path users have reported being mugged at knifepoint, punched and harassed.

Avon and Somerset police said it has stepped up patrols in the area.

Mr Edwards said he was worried the incidents "might culminate in someone getting killed or sexually assaulted".

"My wife and I have got this feeling something really bad is going to happen because they are getting bolder," he added.

Mr Edwards has spoken to path users to compile a list of incidents and has found the majority of them have occurred along a 2.5 mile (4km) stretch between Mangotsfield Station and Morrisons supermarket in Fishponds.

He said many of the reports mentioned a large group of young men blocking the path, often with large tree branches, forcing cyclists to stop.

"There are groups of six to twelve, around 14-22 in age," he said.

"In one of these reports a cyclist was punched and when he woke up on the path his bike had gone.

"In another the cyclist tried to go the other way but they chased him.

"I would like to see more police on bicycles because people want that reassurance and visibility to create a deterrent and to make them feel safer."

...continues

Source: BBC

[CyclingSid]

01 December 2020, 13:24
Bristol and Bath Railway Path attacks: police deny spike in crime despite concerns and increasing reports from the public

from
https://road.cc/content/news/cycling-live-blog-1-december-2020-279135

[CyclingSid]

Sustrans unveils major changes to section of Bristol & Bath Railway Path

https://road.cc/content/news/sustrans-unveils-changes-bristol-bath-railway-path-280647
and
https://www.sustrans.org.uk/our-blog/projects/2019/england/making-the-bristol-and-bath-railway-path-better-for-all/
Will the coloured paving idea work? I expect there will be howls of protest about removing 19 trees.

[Bmblbzzz]

They're putting an awful lot of faith in "intensifying patterns" to reduce speed and moderate behaviour. Also, while no-dig construction might be good for tree roots, those roots are unlikely to be good for the long or even quite short term durability of the new surfaces.

But if they can widen the Clay Bottom wiggle that will be good. Separating cyclists from pedestrians there should be a good idea, to the extent that people keep to the expected side and that there's enough width for all.

[CyclingSid]

Construction set to begin on Bristol and Bath Railway Path upgrades

These much-needed works include;

    stretches of path widening
    resurfacing
    installation of new places to stop and rest
    improvements to junctions
    improvements to access points.

Completion is expected in the summer of 2022.

Work will commence on Monday 31 January 2022

https://www.sustrans.org.uk/our-blog/news/2022/january/construction-set-to-begin-on-bristol-and-bath-railway-path-upgrades/

[CyclingSid]

Problems

Sustrans blames thefts and vandalism for slowing progress on Bristol and Bath Railway Path works

https://road.cc/content/news/thefts-and-vandalism-slows-cycling-route-works-292663

Not quite sure who is the problem, residents who don't want cyclists or cycle thieves who might find their life more difficult.