No more painted cycle lanes?

[whole diary]

[CyclingSid]

A letter has been sent to local authorities saying that to access the next tranche of cycling funding, schemes most comply LTN1/20 Cycle Infrastructure Design.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/carltonreid/2021/06/16/no-funding-for-paint-uk-government-warns-local-authorities-to-be-ambitious-when-bidding-for-cycling-cash/?sh=6dca809a31ce
Carlton Reid says the DfT^» (Department for Transport - about) letter says that painted and advisory cycle lanes will not be funded. The letter also says that schemes “should be given sufficient time to bed in and for benefits to be realised before any changes are made". Obviously aimed at local authorities such as Shoreham and various councils in Surrey who removed lanes within weeks of installation.

Presumably some of Reading's proposed schemes will bite the dust.

The DfT is also seeking four local authorities to take part in a pilot to provide cycling and walking interventions as part of a social prescribing offer via doctors’ surgeries, known as general practices, or GPs.

I think there is some work to be done to convince about social prescribing.

[Bmblbzzz]

Probably a good move on balance. I think it will result in far fewer cycle schemes overall being implemented but those that do get put it will be more effective. But the main benefit will IMO^▸ (in my opinion) come not from cycling, but from walking and other non-driving uses of roads, not just in the LTNs^▸ (Low Traffic Neighbourhood) but through more widespread redistribution of road space:

“to receive any money under this or future tranches, you will need to show us that you have a swift and meaningful plan to reallocate road space to cyclists and pedestrians, including strategic corridors.”

Also:

“Consultation does not mean giving anyone a veto, requiring consensus on schemes, or prioritising the loudest voices,” adds Furness.

[Bob_Blakey]

I will be very interested to see how, if at all, this decision changes the approach of DCC^» (Devon County Council - website) (Devon County Council). At present there is very little properly segregated, from both vehicular & pedestrian traffic, cycling infrastructure in my local area (Exeter and East & Central Devon) but DCC obviously have a pretty large stock of white, green & red/brown paint.

As I have mentioned previously their preferred solutions seem to be a solid white line down the middle of what used to be a pedestrians only footway (without cognisance of the overall width) or a broken white line on the nearside of the carriageway if no separate footway exists.

[Ralph Ayres]

This might reduce the number of poor quality schemes.  What it doesn't do though is offer any incentive or encouragement to those councils who are less than enthusiastic about providing any cycle facilities at all.