Foot and cycle paths plus highway changes

The parish council is actively pursuing a number of highways and transport initiatives:

The Ivinghoe & Pitstone Safety Scheme

Following an investigation commissioned from Ben Hamilton-Baillie (copy of the report attached) and public consultation, both Pitstone & Ivinghoe Parish Councils are progressing options with Buckinghamshire Council (BC).  A Road Safety Audit was then completed and a Feasibility Report undertaken which shows what works would be required and provides an estimated cost (copy of the report attached). 

The first two phases of works focused on safety improvements by Maud Janes Close and outside Brookmead School. Works were being funded by Pitstone Parish Council, Ivinghoe Parish Council and Buckinghamshire Council. (The historic consultation documents for this phase are available here: https://pitstone.co.uk/ppcnews/ivinghoe-pitstone-safety-scheme-update-april-2022/ )

There is potentially funding, provided by Nicholas King Homes for safety improvements between Westfield Road and the Marsworth Road roundabout. The Parish Council is currently working with Buckinghamshire Council to scope and specify this element of the project.

Buckinghamshire Council has not agreed to fund the other works described at the current point in time, and no external grants have been identified.  The parish council continues to work with BC and Buckinghamshire Highways and to seek suitable funding.

Cycle/footpath to Tring station

Hertfordshire County Council (HCC) (and Buckinghamshire Council) still have an aspiration within their Cycling Plans for engineered options to improve pedestrian and cycle safety between Pitstone and Tring Station, however these are not currently being pursued by either council for reasons detailed below.

HCC investigated all the various options and possibilities, and significantly cut back the trees/shrubs to improve visibility.  HCC’s preferred option of a shared footway/cycleway off carriageway has been deemed unviable currently due to the extreme cost (vs the level of funding held) and unavailability of additional land required.  Unfortunately, all the alternative options investigated (such as cycle lanes on carriageway, signed cycle routes on carriageway, physical and visual invertentions) for a direct route along Northfield Road have subsequently failed the associated Road Safety Audits and Speed Management Strategy.  It is not possible to reduce the traffic speeds by the significant level required to enable any direct route.  Therefore, aspirations for a direct cycle route along Northfield Road, that would have been of particular benefit to confident cyclists, are not implementable.  HCC has also investigated if a route along the railway line was possible and this has also been ruled out.  We are grateful to HCC for undertaking such a thorough investigation at their own cost. 

However, HCC and BC have gained approval from Taylor Wimpey and the Canal and Rivers Trust to utilise the funding available to improve a more indirect route that may appeal to family/leisure cyclists along footpath 72 to enable cycle use (parts not within the highway boundary) and whether cycle channels/ramps could assist access via the Grand Union canal towpath route.  Once the full details of the proposals have been shared with us, we will update this post.

A copy of the HCC report is available here: Pitstone to Tring Presentation 12-03-2020 FINAL

The Parish Council is actively involved with this work and continues to push for a successful resolution.

See separate post for details of car schemes, lift share and public transport

Attachments:

  1. http://pitstone.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/BHB-report-final.pdf
  2. http://pitstone.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/July-19-BCC-Feasibility-Study-for-Pitstone.pdf
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