It is argued that closing the west road would encourage this area to be used by families wishing to cycle thus providing a flat area not easily found in the Lake District.
The proposers go on to say that for those that want to tour by car there are many alternatives - going alongside Ullswater for instance provides many attractive stopping places along this lake.
The closure makes sense to me and the area created would appeal to the less physically adventurous - leaving other places free from them or encouraging more diverse use of our National Park.
Chris Stevens has prepared a letter and argument below that you may wish to present to the Nation Park Committee by writing to Ben Murray.
*********
Re: Thirlmere Proposal - family friendly cycle route
Yours sincerely,
July 2010
Ben Murray
Cumbria Highways
Joseph Noble Road
Lillyhall Industrial Estate
Workington
CA14 4JH
Dear Mr Murray
Ben Murray
Cumbria Highways
Joseph Noble Road
Lillyhall Industrial Estate
Workington
CA14 4JH
Dear Mr Murray
Re: Thirlmere Proposal - family friendly cycle route
I have become aware that there has recently been a consultation exercise into the closure of the central section of the west shore road around Thirlmere Reservoir. We realise that the consultation period has ended, but would request that this letter of support is presented to the relevant committee.
Cumbria in general, and the Lake District in particular, suffers from a lack of easy grade cycling where families in particular can ride in safety in a traffic free situation. This was recognised by research conducted in 2004 on behalf of Cumbria Tourism. This research was corroborated by a public consultation in 2006 for the Cumbria Rights of Way Improvement Plan. The public response was that a priority for cycling should be easy grade, family friendly routes. The suggestion for a round Thirlmere Cycleway came directly from this public consultation.
It is widely recognised that separating cars and cycles, especially on routes promoted for use by all abilities and families, is very desirable for both safety and to enhance the user experience. The west road of Thirlmere is ideal for this purpose. It is the flattest five miles in the Lake District, and possibly the county, as it was purpose built during the construction of the reservoir. It is a ‘new’ road in that sense – there was no through road on that side of the valley before the reservoir and apart from Steel End at the very southern end of the road (which is not affected by the proposal anyway) it does not serve any houses or other residences. It’s only current function therefore is to provide a sightseeing drive for visitors. We believe that closing the central 2.5 mile section of this road will not have a detrimental effect on the driving public. Cumbria has 4,784 miles of roads so the section in question represents 0.05% of the highway network. There are almost limitless opportunities for scenic driving in Cumbria but very little for recreational cycling.
As a whole, the cycleway will help to address both the sustainable transport and health agendas. A traffic free section in the middle of the west road will encourage families and young children to cycle and although they may drive there to start with, once their confidence and abilities improve, next time they visit they could cycle from Keswick and Grasmere. This is reflected in the key themes for the Local Transport Plan (LTP3) due in 2011:
• Economy – the cycleway has the potential to bring in new businesses to the area in the form of cycle hire or shuttle buses and invigorate existing businesses such as accommodation providers and hotels/pubs.
• Environment – encouraging people to use more sustainable forms of transport and closing the central section of the west road will help reduce vehicle emissions and the Lake District’s contribution to climate change.
• Active Health – a high quality, purpose built cycleway will help the people of Cumbria to lead healthier lifestyles and to encourage people to walk and cycle more on their regular journeys and for leisure.
• Safe Roads – Closure of the central section of the west road will provide a traffic free environment and will make peoples lives safer
Periodic closure of the road should also be considered. The road could be closed at weekends and school holidays, its usage monitored and feedback sought from all users.
The Sustainable Transport Framework has been endorsed by both the County Council and the LDNPA. It has been developed because of an identified need for a strategic and agreed approach to traffic and transport. It consists of the following core principles;
• A transport network based on fewer cars, more pedestrians, cyclists and greater use of lake borne and rail transport
• Reduced traffic and movement between the distinct areas of the National Park identified in the Local Development Framework
• Priority for pedestrians in all towns and villages
• The encouragement of cycling on the rural network from transport hubs
• The development of passenger transport services along key routes between transport hubs with adequate car parking supported by sustainable travel opportunities
The Thirlmere Cycleway will address all these issues and we urge the Committee to make a bold and progressive decision to endorse the road closure. We would be prepared to see periodic closure of the road as a first step. It could be closed at weekends and school holidays, as has been done in the Peak District where part of a road around Derwent Reservoir is closed every Sunday.
Cumbria in general, and the Lake District in particular, suffers from a lack of easy grade cycling where families in particular can ride in safety in a traffic free situation. This was recognised by research conducted in 2004 on behalf of Cumbria Tourism. This research was corroborated by a public consultation in 2006 for the Cumbria Rights of Way Improvement Plan. The public response was that a priority for cycling should be easy grade, family friendly routes. The suggestion for a round Thirlmere Cycleway came directly from this public consultation.
It is widely recognised that separating cars and cycles, especially on routes promoted for use by all abilities and families, is very desirable for both safety and to enhance the user experience. The west road of Thirlmere is ideal for this purpose. It is the flattest five miles in the Lake District, and possibly the county, as it was purpose built during the construction of the reservoir. It is a ‘new’ road in that sense – there was no through road on that side of the valley before the reservoir and apart from Steel End at the very southern end of the road (which is not affected by the proposal anyway) it does not serve any houses or other residences. It’s only current function therefore is to provide a sightseeing drive for visitors. We believe that closing the central 2.5 mile section of this road will not have a detrimental effect on the driving public. Cumbria has 4,784 miles of roads so the section in question represents 0.05% of the highway network. There are almost limitless opportunities for scenic driving in Cumbria but very little for recreational cycling.
As a whole, the cycleway will help to address both the sustainable transport and health agendas. A traffic free section in the middle of the west road will encourage families and young children to cycle and although they may drive there to start with, once their confidence and abilities improve, next time they visit they could cycle from Keswick and Grasmere. This is reflected in the key themes for the Local Transport Plan (LTP3) due in 2011:
• Economy – the cycleway has the potential to bring in new businesses to the area in the form of cycle hire or shuttle buses and invigorate existing businesses such as accommodation providers and hotels/pubs.
• Environment – encouraging people to use more sustainable forms of transport and closing the central section of the west road will help reduce vehicle emissions and the Lake District’s contribution to climate change.
• Active Health – a high quality, purpose built cycleway will help the people of Cumbria to lead healthier lifestyles and to encourage people to walk and cycle more on their regular journeys and for leisure.
• Safe Roads – Closure of the central section of the west road will provide a traffic free environment and will make peoples lives safer
Periodic closure of the road should also be considered. The road could be closed at weekends and school holidays, its usage monitored and feedback sought from all users.
The Sustainable Transport Framework has been endorsed by both the County Council and the LDNPA. It has been developed because of an identified need for a strategic and agreed approach to traffic and transport. It consists of the following core principles;
• A transport network based on fewer cars, more pedestrians, cyclists and greater use of lake borne and rail transport
• Reduced traffic and movement between the distinct areas of the National Park identified in the Local Development Framework
• Priority for pedestrians in all towns and villages
• The encouragement of cycling on the rural network from transport hubs
• The development of passenger transport services along key routes between transport hubs with adequate car parking supported by sustainable travel opportunities
The Thirlmere Cycleway will address all these issues and we urge the Committee to make a bold and progressive decision to endorse the road closure. We would be prepared to see periodic closure of the road as a first step. It could be closed at weekends and school holidays, as has been done in the Peak District where part of a road around Derwent Reservoir is closed every Sunday.
Yours sincerely,
1 comment:
I think this is overkill, I've walked along the west side twice over the last month, once on a hot day and again this week with showers. Across each 4hr walk I passed 3 cyclists, 5 walkers and 7 cars, the cars were all doing less than 20mph so no issue to my as a walker. Ideally I had wanted to use the reservoir paths but these were too overgrown to walk through, probable a sign that they are under used.
Ultimately it'll be better to class it as a quiet lane and slap a 20mph limit on the whole western stretch
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