http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/9024641.Trial_closure_of_rat_run_to_Romsey/

It gives details of an experimental closure of part of Lee Lane to test the effect of traffic reduction on use by cyclists and pedestrians. I suggest that as many of us as possible use it and get counted in the trial period Mon 16May – Sun 29May. Please forward this information to any others who you think may use the route.

Update – 14 May 2011

I have been told about the experimental closures by TVBc Transportation planners.

It would be good for users to write to TVBC supporting the closures if they think them beneficial.

With my Sustrans buddies are after Lee Lane be part of a continuation of NCN 246 Test Valley trail from Kintbury in Berkshire to Eling.

The NCN 246 route is being waymarked over the downs from Berkshire to Hurstbourne Tarrant, then on quiet lanes/rail trail to Andover-Stockbridge -Romsey .

After Romsey we want to go alongside A27 and down via Lee lane to Redbridge en route Eling.

The concept for NCN246 is similar to the Test Way which is for recreational walking between Eling and inkpen Beacon .

If one cycles between Mottisfont and Andover along the old railway line route and lanes it is very pleasant.

There is to be an NCN 246 opening event at Vigo Road recreation ground Andover on 18 June, in conjunction with the sports fair there that day, all south Hampshire people welcome to attend.

The event is listed on the Bike Week web site.

Eric Reed
Sustrans South Hampshire Volunteeers Group Coordinator.

MANY motorists stuck in Southampton’s morning rush hour must have wondered if there’s an easier way to get to work.

Now it’s been proven there is – with a commuter race through the city centre.

As the Daily Echo continues with the Don’t be a Fuel Fool campaign, which looks at ways of getting around the rising costs at the pump, it’s been shown that ditching the car on the daily commute could save time as well as money.

A car driver, cyclist, walker and bus user set off at 8.30am from Southampton General Hospital yesterday morning to settle once and for all which is the quickest way to get across the city.

It was cyclist Thea Bjaalan, 30, from Portswood, who crossed the finish line at Guildhall Square first, having made the 3.5mile journey in a time of 15 minutes.

And she says she didn’t even pick the quickest route – but instead opted for a scenic ride through Southampton Common.

She said: “It was probably slightly quicker to go the road way but it was a really nice cycle ride through the common. The sun was shining, there were no cars – it was a treat and definitely better than being in the car and getting annoyed by the traffic lights and other drivers.” [Read the whole story here.]

A group of Southampton cyclists is taking steps to make the city safer for bikes.

As the Daily Echo continues its Don’t be a Fuel Fool campaign and begins to look at ways round the rising price at the pumps, Southampton Cycle Campaign are working to fill in the ‘missing links’ in the city’s network of cycle paths and routes.

Spokesman for the Cycle Campaign Lindsi Bluemel says there’s low-cost improvements that could be made in Southampton, which would make a big difference to cyclists.

She said: “We’re very well aware that there’s not going to be money around in the next few years for completely new schemes, even though some of them are badly needed.

“What we’ve looked at is easy ways to implement inexpensive connections that will cost the council very little but will improve the network of cycle paths in Southampton.”

The group has already been in touch with Southampton City Council about a number of improvements that are cheap but could help cyclists avoid dangerous junctions or busy roads.

Mrs Bluemel added: “There are quite a lot of roads that are two-way but they don’t want traffic entering at one end, so there are no entry signs.

“The council has agreed that they can put ‘except cycles’ on some of these signs so cyclists know they can use them – it will cost them next to nothing.

“We’re also asking for a shared use path to go through Bitterne Manor Park.

“It’s no cycling there at the moment but there’s going to be quite a substantial tarmac path put in, and if cyclists could use that it would cut a whole chunk of Bitterne Road West off.”

With petrol prices topping £6 a gallon for the first time ever, more and more people are looking at cheaper ways to travel – and low-cost cycling is a popular choice in the city.

But the Cycle Campaign says they need more bike-users to give ideas about what could be done to improve the cycle network in the city.

Mrs Bluemel said: “Sometimes it’s just one little dangerous section of road that puts people off cycling somewhere.

“We really need other cyclists coming and telling us what problems they experience.

“People will moan and say ‘Why is it like this?’ – but sometimes it’s because no one has raised the issue.”

Chris Davies cycled 906,900 miles in 60 years

• Forthcoming events
• Fill that hole – with some flowers
• CTC/Cyclenation conference
• City Centre bike parking
• Proposed road traffic orders: Ruby Rd & Lyon St
• Bitterne Road West/Bullar Rd junction
• Cycling campaigning in Chile
• StreetTread – Sustrans active travel project
• Vote bike in the General Election
• IPayRoadTax.com
• Discount in bike shops

• Forthcoming events
• February campaign meeting
• Advance notice of our AGM in may
• Thoughts on Southampton LTP with regard to cycling
• Motorbikes in bus lanes?
• Southampton city council road traffic orders
• Twenty is plenty
• Bassett rights of way
• Hamble shore path update
• CTC/Cyclenation spring conference
• Police tell children without hi-viz to walk

• Forthcoming Events
• December meeting
• Climate Justice rally
• Christmas social & quiz
• Hamble path
• London Rd
• Local Transport Plan
• Mybikelane.com
• Small Ad
• Not in my back yard
• DIY Streets
• Academic calls for change in policy
• The Daily Mail on the Brompton

• Forthcoming Events
• Cycling in Above Bar
• Members discount
• Cycle Forum
• Southampton Rights of Way
• Cycle lanes can make roads more dangerous for cyclists
• Going against the flow
• Sustrans “motion for women” petition
• Stop ‘Smidsy’
• Car free day
• Bikes on trains
• Contact Information and Membership application

WEIGHING in at 20st, Lindsey Cooper had problems getting on a bike, never mind riding one.

However, the 45-year-old set out on a mission to shed the pounds, and now, 13 months on and 8st 7lb lighter, Lindsey is taking part in a gruelling 250-mile charity bike ride across Cuba, above.

link

This not so much:

A MAJOR city centre route has reopened and a motorist arrested after an accident left a cyclist fighting for his life.
…
The collision was between a bike and an Orange Fiat Punto and it happened opposite the Millbrook Star filling station shortly after 7.20am.

link

And, er, the accompanying image? Traffic chaos in Southampton.

One more: a giant toaster

IT has been described as a giant toaster but Rhinopatch – the infrared road repair machine – is Southampton’s latest weapon in the fight against potholes.

[...]

Working like a toaster, the machine melts and resets the road instead of digging it up and replacing it.

Now may be a good time to go back to fillthathole.

link