|
| HOME | A - M271 junction 1 | B - Lordshill routes | C - Nursling Street | D - Testwood lakes |
| E - Chilworth link | F - Balmoral Way link | G - Rownhams lane | H - Romsey/Lee Lane | J - Nursling Station |
|
Option H - Romsey/Lee Lane |
|
| The
route from Romsey and the north along Lee Lane is along minor roads. These
roads can become busy as a 'rat run' during commuting times, and the
closure of the northern junction, as shown in red opposite, would prevent
traffic from using this as an alternative to the main road. A 'cut
through' could be provided for cyclists. The footpath north from here to
Romsey is ideal for converting to a shared use path for cyclists and
pedestrians. The problem remains of how to get cyclists and pedestrians
across this busy road (at point in red opposite). There appear 2 options:-
1. Shown in pink using the rail bridge to pass under the road, and then parallel to the line through woodland to rejoin the road. 2. Following the yellow route with a central refuge in the road, and a 'Toucan' crossing.
Last Updated 06/07/09 |
|
Comments
You are right in this invaluable route being a rat run.
Southampton Cycling Campaign carried out traffic counts and measured speeds here
in 1995 and 1996; I don't have the data to hand, but I think that average speed
in the narrow wooded section at the gravel pits & paintball centre was about
40 mph during the morning rush hour. I do remember that an AA van won the speed
record at 10 mph above the average.
The Mile Wall section is also unpleasant and dangerous; I have been knocked off
my bike here by a van pulling a trailer. Southampton Cycling Campaign has
correspondence relating to this stretch dating back to at least 1992. The
existing footpath, though renovated recently, is inadquate for cyclists and no
provision is made for crossing the road safely at the Lee Lane junction.
1. Road closure: Perhaps a rather drastic solution, though cheap and effective.
Speed cushions and pinch points (with cycle lanes, of course) might be more
acceptable to locals.
2. Route under railway bridge: Sustrans did investigate this when looking at
routes in the area perhaps 10-15 years ago. I understand that this route was a
non-starter, probably because of opposition from Network Rail or whatever it was
called then.
3. Location of path up Mile Wall.
(A) West side. Has the great advantage that it is not necessary to cross the
road at the dangerous Lee Lane junction. The verge along the wall is of ample
width (much wider than many existing cycle 'facilities'). A cycle path here
would also leave the existing east side path as an alternative for pedestrians.
The disadvantage is that the highway engineers don't like this solution.
(B) East side. Favourite with highway engineers, but requires, at the very
least, road widening and a substantial central island to protect cyclists (and
pedestrians) when crossing. The existing path would need to be replaced by a
properly engineered path of width suitable to accommodate both pedestrians and
cyclists travelling at perhaps 35 kph.
John Heath 26/06/09
The most useful route for us personally is the route from Romsey Road, turn left into Upton Lane to pick up Lee Lane to cycle into Romsey. We have taken risks trying to cross the road at the end of Lee Lane to get onto the footpath/cycle path which runs opposite the mile wall to the allotments. We have approached people before regarding the dangerous crossing point and wondered whether HCC/Test Valley were waiting for one or two deaths to occur before they bothered to do anything at that point. (Their excuse was the crossing would be too near the roundabout and the blind corner). We personally prefer to cross the road and cycle along the eastern side of the main road as having the traffic coming up at speed behind us, even if there were to be a designated cycle path, is frightening. I do hope you are able to persuade the powers that by to take on some of your ideas. Good luck and if you want anyone to write letters of support for your ideas then don't hesitate to ask.
Bernard and Vivien 30/06/09
