Option B - Lordshill Cycle Routes

There is an extensive but poorly maintained network of cycle routes in Lordshill and Lordswood. The linking  with cycle routes in Rownhams is poor - see option G.    Recent maintenance of the section parallel to Lordshill Way (see A opposite) consisted of a spray top coat to the badly rutted surface. Cyclists require a similar surface to road users - machine laid tarmac.   There is little signing of cycle routes in Lordswood/Lordshill. See option G above for the confusing sign indicating the end of the cycle route from Rownhams Lane, with a cycle route clearly visible across the road.  It was disappointing that the recent renovation of Sainsbury's store in Lordshill did not include cycle friendly access - how about a shared access route under the road to the north of the store, and cycle lanes around the store to encourage cycling.   Dropped kerbs are required in several areas - B opposite shows the cycle route crossing Sutherland Road.   As mentioned in option G on this website a link between the right hand bend at the bottom of the hill in Rownhams lane to Buchanan Road would give good cycle access from North Baddesley/ Rownhams to the Lordshill/Lordswood network (see C opposite).   At the rear of the Cedar School on Redbridge Lane, there is the opportunity to link the Lordswood/Lordshill cycle routes into Redbridge Lane which would provide a good route to Adnac Park (see D opposite).         Last Updated 26/06/09

A- Example of poor maintenance on the cycle route parallel to Lordshill Way B- Cycle route across Sutherland Road C - The 'missing link' from Buchanan Road to Rownhams Lane D - Suggested link into Redbridge Lane at the rear of Cedar School

Comments

Hi Mike,

Thought I'd let you know the issues that drive me mad when I'm on my bike.

(1) when I cycle to Sainsburys.  I go down Rownhams Lane, then like to cycle along the path by Oaklands and through the tunnel, to save the long trek round the busy roundabout.  When I first started doing this the path past Oaklands was marked as a cycle track.  It no longer is, and I'm never quite sure if I ought to cycle on it.  As there are 2 parallel paths there it would make sense for one to be labelled as a cycle path.  It would also be good to have a marked cycle track through the tunnel and out into the car park.  I wonder if Sainsburys could be persuaded to fund this?

(2) I often cycle up to the Woodman from Rownhams.  There is a cycle path I beleive for bits of the way, but it is poorly signposted and you have to get off at various points.  Could we campaign for a decent cycle route along this popular route, including a link to it from Rownhams Lane?

(3) There is a super cycle path from North Baddesley to the Luzbourough Arms pub.  However if you are on the A27 heading from Romsey (or the exit from Mountbatten, in my case), towards NB it is very fiddly to get on to it.  It needs a better path across the grass and better signposting.

There are probably others!  Hope the website is well-used - I did have a look this morning.

Helen. 11/06/09

    I used to live in Coxford and gave up using most of these routes. They are poorly signposted and difficult to follow or even find. Even when they are potentially quicker and/or safer than the road route it is usually less hassle to use the road. For instance, it is quicker and easier to use the traffic lights to get from Lordshill Way to the Sports Centre rather than use the cycle path. The cycle path alongside Lordshill Way itself has a poor surface, a couple of sharp bends, and is hillier than the road.
    One short cut I do use regularly runs from the NE corner of the road round the back of Lordshill Sainsbury's through the new estate to Aldermoor Road/Olive road. This is neither signposted nor on the Council's cycle map.

John Heath  26/06/09