Following an audit of Hull’s walking, wheeling and cycling network, and approval by Hull City Council’s West Area Committee, the local authority will soon start work in the west of the city to improve access controls to make it easier for people to travel actively around their local area.
With the input and support of ward members, the council will invest in new access controls and infrastructure on off-road cycle routes, such as the introduction of lockable bollards and drop kerbs, to enable better route planning for pedestrians, wheelchair and mobility scooter users and people cycling.
Where they have been identified, and it is appropriate, some older access controls – such as concrete bollards and ‘P bars’ will either be repositioned, reduced in number or removed, which will help Hull to comply with equality legislation and standard the design of access controls across the city.
Currently some access controls are preventing access for some residents to the existing network, including at:
- Summergroves to Henry Boot Way
- Nectan Grove
- Rawlings Way
- Stable Walk
- Coppice View / College Gardens
- Rosedale Grove
- Lowdale Close
- Country Road North Flyover
- Shropshire Close
- Warwickshire Close
- West Grove
Improvement works will therefore take place at these locations with the aim of encouraging more residents to travel around the city away from some of the more heavily trafficked areas and access green corridors to help improve health and provide better access to things like employment and education.
Councillor Mark Ieronimo, cabinet portfolio holder for transport and infrastructure, said: “I welcome the findings of the access control audit and support the proposed adjustments.
“While we recognise concerns around anti-social behaviour, we also want to have the right balance and ensure good access. These changes will make our cycle infrastructure more accessible and inclusive, helping residents of all ages and abilities to travel more freely across the city.
“By aligning with national design guidance and the Equality Act 2010, we’re improving route consistency and enabling better planning for users.
“The proposed improvements have been done in consultation with local ward members, and it is therefore important that we continue to engage with them to ensure that local needs are reflected in the implementation. This is a positive step toward a more connected and user-friendly transport network in Hull.”
The council will now appoint a contractor with the aim of undertaking and completing these works by the end of the financial year.
The programme of works has been welcomed by members of Hull’s Cycle Forum.
Steve Walsh of CycHull said: “Access controls on Hull’s off-road cycle routes create an inconvenience for everyone who uses them and are a particular barrier to people with disabilities.
“As a pro-cycling group, we believe they are unnecessary, and we appreciate the fact that the council is now starting to remove or modify them.
“This will create a more accessible network, encouraging more people to walk, wheel or cycle, more of the time.”
Allan Gribben of Hull Friends of the Earth said: “Our members regularly observe that these barriers often prove ineffective against anti-social behaviour and the use of illegal motorised vehicles but prevent disabled people, families and cargo cycles from using the network – forcing them to either use more heavily trafficked routes or just give up. We’re delighted that, thanks in part to the work of the Hull Cycle Forum, these are to be removed or modified.”
The council continues to work closely with Humberside Police on issues of anti-social behaviour and a letter drop will be made to properties in the areas of work to remind residents how to report instances to the police.
