Hoole Road Bridge

[Wheelie Fast]

I see that there is an article about the various possible solutions to the pedestrian and cyclist problems on the Hoole Road Bridge. It is a shame that a cyclist and pedestrian bridge at this site was not a part of the Connect2 proposals. Does anyone knowif any of the Cycle Demonstration Town money could be put towards a Hoole Road Bridge solution?

[Trail Blazer]

Well worth asking the question. Need to read the full report - it may be on Cheshire CC website

[purplesue]

Of the options we need to violently oppose any that suggests we should cross the road to use the bridge - what about children and inexperienced (young) people - it is too dangerous - and mores the point why should I stop, cross over, continue, stop, cross over and continue again? I would be inclined to take my chance with the cars and lorries. Don't scare me!! ;-£
(that is an attempt at a 'grrrr' smiley?!)

[knowhowe]

"we need to violently oppose any that suggests we should cross the road to use the bridge"

Hear hear to that. A stupid idea that could have only come from a car-biased planner.

As observed, many cyclists just won't do it and will therefore put themselves in even greater danger from motorists newly convinced they've got the bridge to themselves.

I'm still gobsmacked that all this wasn't dealt with when the bridge was closed for strengthening and have encountered a number of motorists angry at the prospect of further lengthy closures "merely to keep a bunch of cyclists happy". Just what we need- more bad press.

I'm also amazed at the estimated costs for the various plans.

However, we need to watch this one closely and make sure the planners come up with the best solution for pedestrians, cyclists and drivers, irrespective of costs.

The various proposals are at last on the table but does anybody know what methods are being used to ascertain what the bridge's users actually want? Has, for example, the CCC been consulted?

[knowhowe]

I dug out a couple of my letters that were published in the local press when the argument was raging at the end of 2007/early 2008 and thought they may add something to the discussion...

19/11/07 "Lots and lots of money is being spent doing up the station surroundings and soon lots more for strengthening the bridge so 44-tonne juggernauts will be able to thunder across it.
But not a single penny to make the thing safer and more pleasant for pedestrians, cyclists and motorists! The three-month closure (and probably longer, judging by the St. Martin's Way performance) will doubtlessly create all manner of problems for the community but it would be nice if at least we came out of it with some genuine benefits. The closure surely presents the golden opportunity to install outriggers to each side of the bridge for non-motorised users. The old pavements could then be removed, making it safer for drivers too.
Many readers will remember the old pedestrian access to the station. This should surely be opened up again too. This was closed some decades ago for 'safety' reasons and its entrance bricked up. You can still see it on the left as you approach from Hoole. It formerly gave access to a bridge that gave direct access to the platforms. (I have some fascinating photographs of it, should anyone be interested).
Hoole Road Bridge is without doubt the most dangerous and unpleasant place in Chester for those on two wheels or two legs and seemingly they've yet again been failed by planners, councillors and transport companies.
For example, that long term supporter of the ill-fated CDTS Guided Busway, County Councillor Peter Byrne- Labour Chief Whip and spokesman on transport matters- is quoted in the Standard as saying, "I did enquire about the possibility of doing other work on the bridge to have it widened and having better access for pedestrians. Unfortunately it's expensive to do and not financially possible".
Is that it then, Cllr Byrne, you're content to accept what you're told and not try to do something about it? In Chester, it seems, a price has been set on people's safety. When a cyclist or pedestrian is killed on Hoole Bridge, and they surely will be- the familiar sight of demolished walls, fences and the like where drivers have lost control assures us of that- who will be take the blame?
I, for one, will be there to remind you all of your pathetic failure to get your collective fingers out and apply some joined-up planning, just for once.

Lest we forget- Cllr Byrne's thoughts on cyclist and pedestrian safety when enthusing in the Chester press about the 'guided busway':

• "Cyclists will have their own dedicated track, as will walkers, and they will not be constantly fighting with other vehicles for their road space".

• "an opportunity to create a city that is not choked with fumes and threatening to pedestrians, especially child pedestrians".

• "Bus lanes, traffic priorities at lights, encouragement of walking and cycling, traffic calming, safe routes to school, all these will in a short time be transforming the way we look at our traffic problems".

• "It would help us do more for pedestrians and cyclists and reduce congestion. It would offer a swift, clean and pleasant route into the city, not only for residents, commuters and visitors but cyclists and walkers too."

So if it was good for CDTS, why not for Hoole Bridge?

No plans are apparently in place, either, to restore the appearance of the bridge- cleaning and repairing the stone, replacing the lamps and the like.
Remember the fuss a few months ago when the building supplies company on the bridge wanted to have a yellow sign? The council objected because it would "detract from the appearance of the Conservation Area".

Also upon the subject of the station restoration, have you noticed that all of the area's splendid Victorian lamp standards- former gas lights- have now been ripped out and replaced by mundane 'modern' designs, totally unsuited to their 'heritage' surroundings? Was a good buyer found for them?"

-------------

29/4/08 "It was interesting indeed to read the article by David Holmes, 'Bridge reopening fuels political dispute' in the current Chronicle- surely a masterpiece of barely-disguised irony- that informed us that "all three political parties going before the electorate on May 1st are belatedly claiming they would like to separate pedestrians from traffic on the bridge". 

So where were these politicians when they were needed, when the planning and consultation was taking place?  What did they achieve except to blame someone else, score points against each other- and, once again, fail the people they claim to represent? 

Now that work on the bridge is approaching completion, we're told that a 'feasability study' is belatedly taking place to investigate how it may be made less pedestrian and cyclist-hostile, and each of the parties is, naturally, claiming it to be their exclusive idea.

The icing on this particularly incompetent cake comes in the article's  concluding statement, "The Chronicle understands County Council engineers believe the proposals to be unworkable in any case".

Can this be true? Perhaps if Cheshire County Council find themselves incapable of undertaking the very modest task of separating cars from people on Hoole Bridge, they need to be urgently investigating the calibre of the engineering staff in their employ. We're talking about erecting a couple of footpaths here, not rebuilding the Grosvenor Bridge- now they were engineers!

Hoole Bridge will be soon re-open and once more will witness hapless pram-pushers, cyclists and pedestrians taking their lives in their hands as they negotiate past each other on the narrow pavements, completely unprotected from the flood of heavy lorries and other traffic roaring past just inches from them. 

Bravo politicians, planners, engineers and Railtrack!"

[purplesue]

What can one say to all that!!!

We will have to continue to ride 'wide and proud' on Hoole Bridge until we see what they are going to do.

[ince]

I must admit i'm alittle suprised that this bridge is such an issue. I have been riding over this bridge for the past two years on my way to and from work. I feel due to the width of the road here other road users don't try to pass me. In rush hour traffic I am held up by the traffic and so hold a more central positon on the road so I don't have people pushing past.

I do agree that better paths should have been installed for pedestrians and the less confident cyclist, the recent works were a missed op to do this.

As Purplesue said 'wide and proud' is the safe way over, don't put your self in the gutter and give space to be pushed out.