New Cycle Path Along Wantage Road In Didcot

A new cycle path has been opened along the Wantage Road in Didcot where the new Great Western Park development ‘fronts’ onto the main road.

The cycle path is about 150m. Have a look at the photos below and see what you think?

 

This is the start of the path from the Harwell village direction on the North side of Wantage Road.

The plans are for the path to continue on the other side of the road and then cross over again if you want to access the development on the North side further down the Wantage road. This is to avoid some existing buildings.

Get use to the Cyclists Dismount sign, there are plenty more as you scroll down.

Yes, the arrow is pointing to the wrong side of cycle path.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is where the cycle path crosses the estate access road, when it opens.

What are you supposed to Give Way to? The symbol and lines are 3m from the kerb!

Not content with making cyclists give way to traffic on side roads they now want us to dismount to cross side roads.

If your counting the Cyclists Dismount signs, don’t forget the one the other side of the road in the opposite direction.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is one of three points where the cycle path joins the estate roads, all with the the ever present Cyclists Dismount signs.

Will the estate roads be that bad that the only safe way to use them will be by dismounting your bike? During the planning process the developers made it clear that the roads will be safe for all to cycle on, so a give way sign or symbol on the path (close to the kerb) would be good enough.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Spot the Cyclists Dismount sign. It is brand new but they still manage to hide it in the bushes. But why is it there? the path merges nicely onto a service road parallel to the main carriageway.

There is absolutley no reason to dismount here.

There are seven Cyclists Dismount signs in this 150m stretch.

HarBUG did raise concerns about this cycle path when it was proposed a few years ago, our preference being an ‘on carriagway’ cycle lane.

We have seen that this type of cycle lane causes more problems for cyclists. It is not much use for cycle commuters to Harwell village or the Campus. Some motorists seem to think cyclists must use cycle lanes if they are provided and will let you know about it.

If you do find you are being hassled by motorists for using the road instead of the cycle path, please let HarBUG know.

HarBUG will be contacting both Taylor Wimpey and the County Council to discuss this.