Cycle Route Upgrades – OCC Update – HarBUG – Harwell Campus Bicycle Users Group

Please find below an update on the cycle route upgrades from Oxfordshire County Council.

Icknield Way

Our sub-contractors put down the surface dressing a couple of weeks ago which should have completed the scheme. Unfortunately there was too much loose gravel left on the surface, so they went back last Friday to sweep off the excess. The intention was that there should not be any substantial amount of loose gravel. We are going to review the surface in early January to check that there is enough remaining gravel and that it’s securely stuck, and will carry out remedial work if needed. I’d therefore appreciate any feedback from you or HarBUG members over the next few weeks.

Winnaway

Work is in progress on the main section now. The contractors finish for Christmas at the end of the week, so work will continue in the new year and our engineers expect the bulk to be complete by the end of January.

Icknield Way East

Design work is currently underway to improve the surface of the section between A4185 and the A34 bridge. The length and width of this section, together with the amount of funding we have for it mean that we’re not able to improve it to the condition of the Winnaway or the other bit of Icknield Way. Instead the intention currently is to remove the top layer of the existing surface and replace it with something more robust – I think it will be an unsealed compacted stone surface. Longer term the possible development to the south of this section of path should offer an opportunity to properly upgrade it.

This topic has 2 replies, 3 voices, and was last updated 8 years, 3 months ago by Lewy.

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- December 15, 2015 at 8:36 am #2733
  
  admin
  Member
  
  The County Council have sent an update on the status of the cycle route upgrades.
  
  [See the full post at: Cycle Route Upgrades – OCC Update]
- December 15, 2015 at 9:24 am #2734
  
  Anonymous
  Inactive
  
  My initial reaction to the Icknield Way (west) gravelled surface is that it feels fine to cycle on since the excess has been removed.
  
  It is great that this has been sorted out so quickly and to hear that it will get a few weeks to bed in and then be assessed again.
  
  Sarah
- January 4, 2016 at 7:09 pm #2748
  
  Lewy
  Member
  
  Hi All
  FYI – I complained to OCC about the material (seems to be some kind of flint gravel) that has been put down on this section of Icknield Way (West), where I am appreciative and glad that the muddy ruts have been dealt with which made cycling along this section very hazardous, I had to complain to the OCC as I was regularly getting a puncture, on one occasion 2 in one evening (front and rear), my record to date is 4 in 3 days, all 4 occurred immediately after crossing this section of track. I relayed this to the OCC and got the below reply.
  
  Dear Mr Lewis,
  
  Thank you for your e-mail.
  
  I’m sorry to hear of the number of punctures that you’ve had recently while using Icknield Way. This section of path has recently been rebuilt in order to assist cyclists as the previous surface had become rutted and muddy. Unfortunately, it seems our contractor didn’t correctly follow the specification for laying the final top surface which we think is causing the problems with punctures – others have reported punctures as well. The matter is currently with our engineering team who will be reviewing the situation shortly to find a solution.
  
  Ed Webster
  Transport Planner
  01865 815664
  Oxfordshire County Council
  Environment & Economy
  Speedwell House
  Speedwell Street
  Oxford
  OX1 1NE
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