Bristol-Bath Railway Path improvement work

[whole diary]

[Red Squirrel]

Problems

Sustrans blames thefts and vandalism for slowing progress on Bristol and Bath Railway Path works

https://road.cc/content/news/thefts-and-vandalism-slows-cycling-route-works-292663

Not quite sure who is the problem, residents who don't want cyclists or cycle thieves who might find their life more difficult.

Neither, I think. The issues as I understand it is that people are dismantling the barriers so that they can continue to use the sections of path which have been closed.

I obviously don't condone these actions, but I can see how people might get frustrated when their direct and familiar route is barred - particularly when there is no obvious obstruction ahead of the barriers. I can think of other examples where major cycle routes have been closed, often for extended periods, with no advanced warning and no adequate diversionary route.

Motorists are easier to divert when there are roadworks. They don't much care if the diversionary route is a bit longer, or hilly.

The Clay Bottom diversion is certainly hillier than staying on the path:



...and the Easton to Whitehall diversion goes, literally, all round the houses:



Not sure what the answer is. Plainly areas need to be fenced off to allow people to work safely on the upgrade, but maybe this can be done without completely closing sections of route?

[Bmblbzzz]

Part of the answer might be that people wouldn't so much mind taking diversions, cycling or walking, if leaving the Railway Path didn't immediately mean using busy roads on which some, especially kids and the nervous – those most likely to be using the path in the first place – feel uncomfortable or downright unsafe. In other words, rather than upgrading the Railway Path, they should be upgrading other roads and paths.