Astley Bridge: Barrier placed in middle of cycle lane

The junction of Blackburn Road, Crompton Way and Moss Bank Way in Astley Bridge have seen a lot of criticism since works began in March to add a new turning.

There have been a number of crashes involving vehicles at the junction since the roadworks began.

It is now coming under fire from the cycling community in Bolton, who are unhappy with its provision for bicycles on the junction.

On the corner of Crompton Way turning left onto Blackburn Road, a pedestrian barrier has been placed in the middle of a cycle lane on the pavement.

There are also no segregated cycle lanes on the junction.

He said the use of shared cycle paths and footways are 'detrimental both to people cycling and to people walking' (Image: Newsquest)

Dr Grahame Cooper, a cyclist who lives in Bolton, voiced his concern about the cycle and pedestrian provisions on the junction.

Dr Cooper is the voluntary secretary of the Bolton Active Travel Forum, a council forum that promotes active travel (walking, wheeling and cycling).

He said: "The guard rail that blocks the painted cycle lane is just one of the problems with the design of this junction.

"The use of shared cycle/footways is itself not appropriate as it is detrimental both to people cycling and to people walking.

“In general, cycling on footways is illegal, and people rightly complain when it happens in narrow, busy places like this junction just because people are afraid to share with motor vehicles on the busy carriageway.

“The council's response to this is just to install signs and paint making it legal.

"The government's guidelines on the design of cycle infrastructure are contained in document "LTN1/20 - Cycle Infrastructure Design", published two and a half years ago.

A Bolton council spokesperson said: 'Unfortunately, because of the land available it is not possible to provide fully segregated cycleways at this junction ' (Image: Newsquest)

“That guidance states that: 'Cycles must be treated as vehicles and not as pedestrians. On urban streets, cyclists must be physically separated from pedestrians and should not share space with pedestrians.

“’Where cycle routes cross pavements, a physically segregated track should always be provided. At crossings and junctions, cyclists should not share the space used by pedestrians but should be provided with a separate parallel route.'”

Dr Cooper added: “The council talks about reducing carbon emissions and improving air quality, and encouraging people to walk and cycle, and money is available from central government to enable this, but fail completely when it comes to action.

“If you do anything to make it less convenient to cycle or walk, people will go via car.

“We have to make it more convenient to walk and cycle than to go via car. A total of 78 per cent of car and van journeys in the borough of Bolton are 10km or less.

This comes after many vehicle accidents on the crossroads this year (Image: Dr Grahame Cooper)

“45 per cent of journeys up to 2km in the borough are done by car and van.

“It’s just such a wasted opportunity.

"We could have done a lot of good stuff with money for the junction.”

Council deputy leader, Cllr Hilary Fairclough, who also represents Astley Bridge, said: “I think the real missed opportunity was many years ago when the plans for a Blackburn Road bypass were refused by the then administration and we have endured misery ever since.

“For cycle lanes, I feel the driving public would generally be outraged because it would reduce the traffic flow substantially.

"It’s a hugely busy road and we haven’t seen the demand for cycle lanes.

“My personal preference would be to look at other options, possibly a cycle route through the valley which could give direct safer travel for cyclists.”

In response, a council spokesperson said: “The junction has shared crossing facilities for pedestrians and cyclists which means there are sections of shared footway/cycleways on the approach to these.

“Most of the footways- cycleways are wide enough for shared use but there a couple of short narrower sections around buildings and at these locations we request that all users are courteous and respectful to others.

“Unfortunately, because of the land available it is not possible to provide fully segregated cycleways at this junction as to do so would require a reduction in traffic lanes which would reduce traffic capacity at the junction."