Prittlewell Chase walkway turned into cyclepath and footpath (From Echo)
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Prittlewell Chase walkway turned into cyclepath and footpath
10:00am Sunday 21st March 2010 in
CYCLISTS and pedestrians will soon be able to take a greener route through Prittlewell as part of a project to rejuvenate the Prittle Brook pathway through Southend.
Work has started on the eastern section of Prittle Brook Greenway project, between Victoria Avenue and Prittlewell Chase, where the walkway is being turned into a shared cycleway and footpath.
Trees are being planted and benches and gates installed as part of the greenway scheme, designed as a traffic-free corridor between Priory Park, Southend Hospital and Belfairs Park, in Leigh, linking up with seven schools.
The path, funded by Cycling England, includes improved road crossings for cyclists and pedestrians and could in future be extended to Poors Lane North, in Hadleigh, and east to Rochford.
Anna Waite, Southend Tory councillor responsible for planning and transport, said: “This will be one of the most important routes for cyclists and walkers in the town, and I am really looking forward to moving ahead with it.”
Robin Bevan, headteacher of Southend High School for Boys, praised the greenway scheme and a new zebra crossing near the school, which was funded by Olympus KeyMed.
He said: “Cycling and walking are both healthy, clean and cheap ways to travel to school or work.
“Sometimes, our road system makes it difficult for our pupils to choose to walk or cycle.
“The new pedestrian crossing and cycle lanes on Prittlewell Chase are very welcome and have already improved the journeys to school of several hundred pupils each day.
“The financial support for the zebra crossing from Olympus KeyMed has been exceptional.
“Local councillors and residents have worked together to ensure the success of the development.”
Comments(10)
evilc
says...
1:40pm Sun 21 Mar 10
Any chance of improving the path walk from Leigh to Chalkwell currently a no cycle path and full of dog sh1t.
It is a great route from Benfleet over the Downs to Shoebury.
What will the lefties possibly say OR can say now should be interesting?
firedog
says...
4:34pm Sun 21 Mar 10
siddymint
says...
5:43pm Sun 21 Mar 10
All that everyone wanted was to be able to ride a bike along the brook parh if they wanted . This scheme will remove trees add no parking areas kill wildlife and for what. Also try riding a bike along the full route and tell anyone it is safe even with all the bike road way widening. perheps the echo reporter for this articale should do so and they he can also ask what's the crossing to do with it? its nearly half a mile away up busy narrow roads
evilc
says...
5:51pm Sun 21 Mar 10
Still that is the good thing about democracy 'free speech' and a 'free press'
siddymint
says...
8:20pm Sun 21 Mar 10
Ride a bike througth there at the moment is nice but it,s no route for children and the plans see so much change that will riun whats there
'V'
says...
8:28pm Sun 21 Mar 10
firedog wrote:How is hoping the job is done better this time 'whinging'?
"V"the winger has found something new to winge about!
It is a step in the right direction, but as a cyclist I have to say I won't be using this route for commuting. It crosses 18 or so roads. That is too many stops. It will still be quicker to use the roads.
openspace
says...
9:35pm Sun 21 Mar 10
PS Sarcasm intended but not aimed at you.
perini
says...
12:23am Mon 22 Mar 10
evilc wrote:Cycle down the tow path at your peril - if I am carrying boat stuff and you currently try and cycle pass you WILL go into the mud.
Well done Anne excellent news as a keen cyclist I am truly appreciative. Any chance of improving the path walk from Leigh to Chalkwell currently a no cycle path and full of dog sh1t. It is a great route from Benfleet over the Downs to Shoebury. What will the lefties possibly say OR can say now should be interesting?
geezer, innit
says...
12:57pm Mon 22 Mar 10
Woe betide any cyclist that might try to point out that they are on the cycle path!
I agree that cyclists on the pavement is wrong but it cuts both ways!
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New crossing – headteacher Robin Bevan, Callum Regan, Peter Holmes from Keymed, Anna Waite, Graham Pearl, sustainable transport officer, Paul Mathieson, transport manager, with pupils Tom Frith, 17, Daniel Basher, 12, and Tyler Bell, 14
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'V' says...
1:37pm Sun 21 Mar 10
Last time the surfacing was cheap and shoddy, and washed away in the first downpour, leaving a muddy quagmire which was impassable for anyone on a road bike.
The track was too narrow. According to Sustrans guidelines a 'shared use unsegregated cycle track/pedestrian path' should have a minimum width of 2.5 metres, but preferably be at least 3 metres wide, and also that if the path has a physical boundary, I.E. bushes etc. 0.5metres must be added to the width. So a recommended width of 3.5metres.
Last time the 'path' was barely wide enough for two cyclists to pass each other and the surfacing was entirely unsuitable for the majority of cycles.