Route debrief prepared for Greenwich Council by Greenwich Cyclists, official Sustrans Rangers for the route
May 2001
On 29 April 2001 approximately 350 people joined the Mayor of Greenwich's Charity Cycle Ride from Cutty Sark Gardens to Erith. Greenwich Cyclists were closely involved in planning for the ride and provided stewards along the route. The route followed sections of the National Cycle Network along the south bank of the Thames. The National Cycle Network route through the London Borough of Greenwich is nearing completion. Just prior to the ride a missing section across Mast Pond Wharf just west of the Woolwich ferry pier was completed by Greenwich Council, and the Mayor's Ride was the first time that this part of the route was used by the public. Other sections around the Dome and on Greenwich Peninsula and at the Thames Barrier and Woolwich Arsenal remain closed to the public or await development. The following summarises various comments on different sections of the ride in Greenwich noted by Greenwich Cyclists. It is based on observations by Greenwich Cyclists stewards on the ride and comments by members of the public who joined the ride.
Cutty Sark Gardens: This was a good starting point for the ride. It is the junction of four sections of National Cycle Network in London and is a large car-free area providing a safe place for riders to congregate. However, though it is the main junction of the NCN in London, it is an area where cyclists are currently not supposed to cycle. We understand that Sustrans are discussing this issue with the Council. Apart from the fact that this rule is generally ignored by local people, particularly those riding from central Greenwich to the Foot Tunnel, a practical solution to this ought to be found so that people who are cycling and walking do not conflict. We believe a number of cycling desire lines could be marked out both to direct cyclists and warn walkers.
Greenwich Town Centre: This is obviously a major issue in itself, as currently the road system is not cycle-friendly, however for the purposes of this report we would simply highlight that a number of cyclists who arrived at Cutty Sark Gardens for the start of the ride commented to us that access to Cutty Sark Gardens by bike was not easy. In particular the link between the cycle route in Greenwich Park and Cutty Sark Gardens is very difficult, and the link from the mainline railway station to Cutty Sark Gardens is also dangerous. We believe the provision of cycle lanes and pedestrian access in central Greenwich town centre needs to be addressed as a matter of urgency. The remarking of road space in late 1999 made matters worse for cyclists.
Royal Naval College (RNC) site: We would like to see more open access to the site including a proper cycle route through the site so as to avoid having to walk along the very narrow river-path in front of the RNC site or cycling along Romney Road. We understand that this is an issue for the Trustees of the RNC site and that Sustrans are negotiating with them.
Old Woolwich Road to Mauritius Road: This section would benefit from better signing of the cycle route. Consideration should also be given to linking this route to the planned LCN route along Trafalgar Road. The current route is not very clear.
Blackwall Lane and Tunnel Avenue: This section of the route is dangerous and caused a major problem during the ride. Stewards had to carefully lead riders along this section of very busy road as far as the foot bridge across the A102M. This section obviously needs some careful work to make it safe for cyclists. We believe a dedicated cycle lane is needed along this stretch of Blackwall Lane so as to avoid cyclists conflicting with pedestrians. This is a particular problem at the bus stop on Blackwall Lane outside the Alcatel works. Blackwall Lane is a very busy road, and the bus lane is often blocked by cars. The National Cycle Network is supposed to be suitable for novice and young cyclists, and the bus lane is therefore not suitable. The current arrangement obviously is not satisfactory. The proposed pelican crossing over Blackwall Lane will help link the route to the existing cycle routes towards the Sainsbury's site on Greenwich Peninsula. The relocation of the bus stop needs to be considered carefully so that the possible conflict between bikes and pedestrians referred to above does not occur. The route along Tunnel Avenue also needs to be clearly marked, ideally with green tarmac. The entrances to the various works need to be very clearly marked so that drivers entering or leaving the works (especially lorry drivers) are aware of the cycle route. During the Mayor's Ride a number of riders commented on the problems of cycling along this road with large lorries existing and entering the works. In the longer term a marked riverside route for cyclists should be considered. However in the short term developing the Blackwall Lane and Tunnel Avenue sections of the route must be a priority.
Footbridge over the A102M to Greenwich Yacht Club: This section of the route would benefit from a dedicated cycle route through the old weighbridge site on Boord Street between the footbridge and Millennium Way. The crossing over Millennium Way at the junction with Boord Street is also very difficult as there are no pedestrian lights. This crossing would benefit from the installation of pelican lights to allow safe crossing. Crossing in groups is very difficult to do safely. The route from Millennium Way to the Greenwich Yacht Club is very good, though there is a regular problem of broken glass, particularly around Greenwich Yacht Club. We also note that the path around the Dome will be open in June 2001. Consideration needs to be given to a properly marked cycle track from the footbridge over the A102M up to the existing river-route around the Dome.
Greenwich Yacht Club to Thames Barrier: This section is generally good. Poor drainage along parts of the route around the aggregate works at the southern end of Greenwich Peninsula has led to long term ponding of water extending right across the route. This makes passage for walkers and cyclists very difficult, and the drainage problem needs to be solved as soon as possible. Also glass on the route is a problem. Vandalism of lighting fittings and telephone booths is part of the problem. Regular cleaning of the route would help solve this problem.
Thames Barrier to Warspite Road: This is a major blockage on the river route. Once the paths around the Dome and in front of Woolwich Arsenal are opened, it will be the only blockage along the borough's river front. A final route is being proposed by Sustrans involving negotiations with the trading estate landowners. This is likely to take some time. We believe that this should be given a very high priority. The Mayor's Ride was directed through the trading estate following permission from the landowners. However this is not generally open to the public for cycling or walking and a temporary safe route needs to be installed. The major problem is cycling along Woolwich Road to the south of the trading estate. The existing cycle lane on Woolwich Road is not protected and motor vehicles tend to be driven quickly along this stretch of Woolwich Road. In addition the cycle lane is often blocked by parked cars near the junction of Warspite Road. The current cycle lane is not suitable for novice and young cyclists. This means that the National Cycle Network route along the borough's riverfront is currently cut in half. We would propose that bollards and kerbs be installed between the cycle lane and motor vehicle lanes on Woolwich Road in order to protect cyclists. Currently a lot of cyclists use the pavement thereby irritating pedestrians. However, many simply stop at the Barrier, and the opportunity for developing the whole river front between Greenwich and Crossness is lost.
Warspite Road to Woolwich Ferry: This section is generally good. We believe a dedicated cycle route should be installed on Ruston Road leading from the Warspite Road roundabout to the new Woolwich Dockyards housing estate. This is not a busy road and is wide. As well as calming traffic, a cycle lane would lead cyclists towards the river route. The Mast Pond Wharf section is a major success. We believe that the route should be kept open during any development works at the site, and we would support all efforts to persuade the developers to undertake to do this. The river route and cycle route need to be re-signed in the older part of the Woolwich Dockyard housing estate in order to direct people to Mast Pond Wharf. The road leading to the Woolwich Ferry needs to have a clear marked crossing for pedestrians and cyclists, ideally with green tarmac and traffic lights so as to avoid pedestrians and cyclists having to negotiate parked traffic blocking the route.
Woolwich Ferry to Crossness: Once the route in front of the Woolwich Arsenal site is opened later this month this will be an important cycle route linking Thamesmead to Woolwich and providing an important leisure facility for the borough. However, a number of issues need to be resolved. The route in front of the Woolwich Arsenal by the site for the ferry pier ought to be marked for cyclists. We understand that Sustrans had agreed with the developers for this to be done. People on bicycles are very unlikely to dismount to cross this section, and a clear route needs to be marked around the two pumping houses by the proposed pier site to avoid pedestrian / cyclist conflict. The section of cycle route along Gallions Reach needs to be properly fenced and protected from motorcyclists. One young boy was injured and had his bicycle written off during the Mayor's Ride as a result of a young motorcyclist riding into him on the route. Motorcycles are forbidden from this route. Fortunately a police officer was at the scene and the police are aware of the issue. Whilst policing this stretch may present some difficulties, it is vital that people are prevented from riding motorcycles along the route, otherwise further serious accidents will occur. The Greenwich Cyclists stewards saw six people on motorcycles on this section of the route when returning from Erith to Greenwich after the Mayor's Ride. This is a major safety problem. Consideration must be given to ways of ensuring that motorcyclists do not use this route. This may include bollards being installed at regular intervals to restrict motorcyclists and make the route less attractive to them, and better fencing along the route. We are concerned that another serious accident may occur soon, particularly as the route will become much more popular when the Woolwich Arsenal section is opened.
Conclusions: The Mayor's Ride was a great success and introduced many people to the great potential of the river-route for leisure cycling. It is a resource that should be developed for tourism since it links many interesting sites along the river. It is also useful for certain local journeys. A lot of further investment is required both on the river route and on routes to the river and in areas inland in order to allow Greenwich residents to easily join the river route. In addition, better cycle and pedestrian infrastructure is needed at certain key locations including Greenwich town centre, East Greenwich, Woolwich Road and Gallions Reach. Greenwich Cyclists believe that the full potential of the route and the Mayor's Ride has yet to be realised. We look forward to a much larger ride in 2002.
Greenwich Cyclists May 2001