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Thatcham town council assess new cycle lanes on Crown Mead




THATCHAM councillors have been assessing West Berkshire's plans for new cycle lanes on the A4 and Thatcham High Street.

Earlier this year, West Berkshire Council brought in new measures to promote active travel, walking and cycling in the town.

In a planning and highways meeting, Thatcham councillors discussed the different ground levels of the lanes and what this would mean for the convenience and safety of its users.

Crown Mead,Thatcham (51098390)
Crown Mead,Thatcham (51098390)

Simon Pike (Lib Dem, Thatcham West) noted that on the south side of the High Street, there is a cycle lane at a “carriageway level” meaning it is 50mm below the pavement.

He added: “On the north side of the street, it is at footpath level.

“The other one is at midway (height) between the carriage way and the footpath, which seems to be safer.”

Thatcham High Street (51098403)
Thatcham High Street (51098403)

Richard Crumly (Con, Thatcham Central) asked about “conflicts” that may arise between cyclists and pedestrians being put into close proximity.

Mr Pike also highlighted the potential risks that come from having a cycle lane at the same height as a pedestrian footway.

He said: “One of the areas where the cycle lane is the same height as the footway, there is risks that cyclists will overtake into the footway.”

He suggested that it is therefore beneficial to keep all cycle ways at a height “midway between the carriageway and footway.”

He added: “But the only place where there is a conflict is the bus stop on the south side (by Thatcham Medical Centre), where people will have to cross the cycle lane to get to the bus stop.”

But he said: “There are very clear signs, road-marked, to show the cyclists have to give way to pedestrians.

“They should have a pretty good indication.

“Having looked at it, there is no space to do anything better in that part in the road and that is one of the approved designs.”

David Lister (Lib Dem, Thatcham West) raised further concerns over “how they would plan to keep the cycle lane clean” if the ground is at different levels.

Mr Pike noted that: “Machinery that can go between the curb can go between this as well.”

Thatcham Town Council has been in discussions about the cycle lanes since January this year, where they have discussed other concerns surrounding road safety in this area.



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