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Mike is CTC (Cyclist's Touring Club) Right To Ride Representative for North Devon.
May 2007
Opening of Barnstaple Western Bypass
Barnstaple Western By-pass radically changes traffic in the area and brings many benefits, including new cycle routes. It seems a shame to carp but really it could deliver even more. Weaknesses of the scheme were pointed out two years ago but although other changes were made to the design the pedestrian and cycle remained 1980 style.
Email sent to Highways hours after opening:
23rd May. Splendid occasion, splendid bridge, excellent workmanship. Pity about Sticklepath debacle for pedestrians and cyclists. A footway where someone with shopping cannot easily pass a child buggy, a two way cycle facility where bikes can’t pass without leaning out of the lane. This, on the busiest path in North Devon outside the town centre. People are Pythagoreans yet these wind unnecessarily and are stop start. What happened to the County’s duty of care? Pedestrians use the cycle section and cyclists the bus route and corners are cut. Meanwhile wide verges are abundant. Site and gradient not taken account of and guidelines not followed. A great opportunity squandered! Mitigation please. Mike Harrison CTC North DevonTown centre changes in the Square and the Strand are part of the scheme. Earlier I had sought assurances that cyclists would not be missing from the plans. When the new bridge opened, No Entry signs and all vehicle
restrictions appeared for the Strand. Clarification is awaited. What cyclist would ignore a wide empty road?Email sent For Joe Deasy:
On 2nd Feb you wrote: "We have made provision for cyclists to be permitted with the pedestrianised order for the strand/square". (In response to my question about cycling in the Strand). A No Entry sign is placed by the
beginning of Cross Street. Clarification please. Mike
October 2006
"Railways on a roll!" - letter to North Devon Journal
Good to see significant improvements in our rail services. Friday 13th would not be everyone’s choice of travel date but my journey round the county nearly redefined probability. Meetings in Plymouth, Newton Abbot, Exeter and south of Crediton required five trains but the total platform waiting time was only three minutes, with two trains already at the platform! A day return to Plymouth is £9.50, a fraction of the cost of petrol let alone parking problems and expense. Simple links to the destinations were by bike.
Concerns about climate change and increasing congestion should bring action. More roads mean more traffic but the way forward with investment in public
transport, walking and cycling causes less carbon and improved well-being. How about a coastal electric railway from Barnstaple to Ilfracombe that carries surfboards, push chairs and cycles? Few people would have to use a car and with such stunning views the visitors would be queuing up.Mike Harrison
March 2006
Trains letter: Tarka Line proposed timetable for Dec 2006 (.doc 26Kb)
Barnstaple Letter – Traffic in the Square (.doc 21Kb)
Barnstaple Letter – Cycling: comments for forum (.doc 29Kb)
November 2005
Barnstaple's Old Sticklepath Hill is the main route for pedestrians and cyclists to get to North Devon College from the main part of town. Part of it has just been made a one-way street, leaving cyclists confused and faced with detour on main road. Letter to County Hall is a response and request for information.
Letter "Cyclists and Old Sticklepath Hill one-way street" (.doc, 28Kb)
Why don't all cyclists use the Tarka Trail? Letter to North Devon Journal in response, pointing out who has rights to the highway and the advantages of cycling for speed, health and economy.
Letter "Why don’t all cyclists use the Tarka Trail?" (.doc, 21Kb)
October 2005
Suggestion for National Cycle Network cycle path from Braunton to Croyde.
The Local Transport Plan is the county’s bid for Transport funding for the next five years. The document is almost ready for its final submission in March 2006. Mostly good, there are some thinner areas – see the following letter to County Environment Director October 2005.
Letter: Response to Local Transport Plan 2006-2011 (.doc, 29Kb)
June 2005
Bikes on Trains - now successfully resolved
May 2005
Devon County Council for some obscure reason wants to change our lanes, however steep or narrow, to Byways Open to All Traffic i.e. allow access for 4x4s and Trail Bikes. This will bring noise and damage deep into the countryside.
March 2005
Barnstaple Western Bypass – sub-standard for pedestrians & cyclists.
December 2004
Local facilities – quality of Tarka Trail; outcome for cyclists at road improvements.