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[adamedwardsteather]

  Last week (12/11/09) Welwyn Hatfield Cycling Forum met with Herts Highways to discuss cycle route issues. Dates may change, so don't hold us to them!  Highlights are:
 
Broadwater Road, WGC
 
Route should be done spring 2010. Will be down the east side of the road extending the Hatfield - WGC cycle path to Hyde Way, where it will then link to the cycle path to the Mundells and Bessemer Road.
 
Hatfield Station to Business Park
 
Phase 1, station to French Horn Lane/Cranbourne Road to be built by 31/3/10, on the north side of the road. Link to Old Hatfield via subway not possible as subway too low. Will include a wide island to get cyclists over to Old Rectory Drive for Onslow School.
 
Ongoing discussions with WHCF over the Queensway roundabout, where Herts Highways want an on road route and we want it off road, as we don't like cycling round roundabouts.
 
Phase 2, Roundabout and then down Wellfield Road to the Airfield pub, to be built by 3/11.
 
This route is funded by Business Park development money.
 
Stanborough missing link (section past the café)
 
Construction to start 4/1/10. Will be a contra-flow cycle path going north, with cyclists using the existing slip road to the car parks going south. This will complete the cycle path from Hatfield Business Park to WGC.
 
Full details are in the minutes, so do ask me for a copy off list if you'd like to read all the details.
 
Cheers
Adam
Chair
WHCF
http://www.welhatcycling.org.uk

[adamedwardsteather]

I've now got a copy of the finalised plan for the missing cycle route at Stanborough.  If anyone would like to see it, please contact me off list. 
 
Work starts in January and should take about 4 weeks, depending on the weather.  This will mean a completed cycle path from Hatfield to Stanborough School/Gosling Stadium ready for when the clocks change back and the weather improves. 
 
Adam
http://www.welhatcycling.org.uk

[adamedwardsteather]

Work has started at Stanbrough widening the access road by the cafe.  Surfacing work will have been delayed by the snow and ice.
 
Adam

[adamedwardsteather]

With the Stanborough path almost finished (ridable but signs needed), the next route to be done is Hatfield station to Old French Horn Lane via French Horn Lane.  Work starts on 16/2/10 lasting about 6 weeks.  There is a warning that footpaths may close from time to time as work progresses.  I would guess when they dig out the junction of the path at the subway under the Great North Road this will be one such closure.
 
Hope to see you all cycling to the station very soon.
 
Adam
 
PS:  The path is but phase 1 of the bigger project taking this path on down Wellfield Road to the Airfield pub and then linking into the cycle paths around the Business Park.

[digitaria]

Thanks for the update.

[adamedwardsteather]

Just to updated this thread:

Stanborough route is completed and signed.

Hatfield station route is well underway, but still much to do. It is however, already useful in providing a way into the station car park avoiding the buses parked on the main road.

No news yet on Broadwater Rd WGC which was supposed to be in this year's programme.

Adam

[jonmorris]

Yes, it is looking good. Shame HCC couldn't remove the old street lamps before they put down the first layer of tarmac! I hope they do in time for the final bit, or there will be uneven patches on it from day one!!

I wonder if there will be new street lighting put along the whole of Wellfield Road when they carry on the cycle lane there?

[adamedwardsteather]

I'm assuming the lamps will come out before final surface. There's also a fence to go in along the path where it goes under the railway and is high up above French Horn Lane.

Along Wellfield Road the cycle path is planned to follow the south side of the road, so may well be things to move.

Adam

[Mutual Respect]

Adam,
Allthough it's good to hear that a cycle track is finally being put in to Hatfield station,what means of securing the cycle have been provided,at the station ?
I ask, because speaking from personnel experience,who would leave a cycle at Hatfield station,unless it was surrounded by a ring of anti tank mines !
 

[jonmorris]

Bike thefts are a problem at Hatfield, so I would certainly recommend getting a folder and taking it with you.

The CCTV cameras aren't even covering the bike area either!

[adamedwardsteather]

Agree with Jon.  Folding bikes are best for commuters.
 
However, will ask FCC contact if works are to be done to make parking safer.
 
Thanks
 
Adam

[adamedwardsteather]

Reply on station cycle racks from FCC:
 
"We have funding in place to replace the existing tin-roofed shelter and racks with new Sheffield racks covered by a clear perspex roof. There will also be additional, new covered cycle parking to a similar high standard behind the recent extension to the station where the ticket gates are sited. It is expected that this work will be completed by end June 2010."
 
Adam

[jonmorris]

That's good news. All they need now is to adjust the CCTV cameras!

[debshertsuk]

Don't know if this is the right place for this, whether I should have begun a new topic or what but here we go.

I am fed up with constantly dodging glass on the cycle paths in Welwyn Hatfield. Do the council not sweep the pavements/paths anymore? I see the machine in Welwyn town centre keeping the pedestrian area nice and clean but that's as far as it goes. The amount of glass on the cycle path from Hatfield to Welwyn via Stanborough is ridiculous. The new green bit of path by the lakes is particularly bad - and seems to be silting up at the lowest point as well. 

What is the situation with keeping these paths clean? Who is responsible?
 
As for the rats that run across my path on a daily basis up by Gosling.... euuugh! 

[Mutual Respect]

Debs,
I to have had the constant problem of tyres ruined by broken bottles on the cycle tracks.
I have often seen children on their way to school collect glass bottles from residents re cycling boxes and then smash them along the full lenght of the footpath,on their way to Sir Frederick Osborn School !
I have even seen the children place the broken bottle bases in the road and then wait and watch for cars to drive over them !
After enduring this 3 times a day for five years,I was told by the Council to report it to the Police.
The Police surveyed the area and stated "the incidence of broken bottle traps set,is no higher than the average for the town".
Problem solved !