Foot and cycle paths plus highway changes

The parish council is actively pursuing a number of highways and transport initiatives:

The Ivinghoe & Pitstone Safety Scheme

Following an investigation commissioned from Ben Hamilton-Baillie (copy of the report attached) and public consultation, both Pitstone & Ivinghoe Parish Councils are progressing options with Buckinghamshire Council (BC).  A Road Safety Audit was then completed and a Feasibility Report undertaken which shows what works would be required and provides an estimated cost (copy of the report attached). 

The first two phases of works focus on safety improvements by Maud Janes Close and outside Brookmead School. Works are being funded by Pitstone Parish Council, Ivinghoe Parish Council and Buckinghamshire Council and should be installed during 2022. 

Full details of Phase I and Phase II works, and how you can comment, are available on this webpage: https://pitstone.co.uk/ppcnews/ivinghoe-pitstone-safety-scheme-update-april-2022/

Buckinghamshire Council has not agreed to fund the other works described at the current point in time, and no external grants have been identified.  The parish council continues to work with BC and Buckinghamshire Highways and to seek suitable funding.

Cycle/footpath to Tring station

Hertfordshire County Council (HCC) continues to investigate engineering options to improve pedestrian and cycle safety between Pitstone and Tring Station.

HCC investigated all the various options and possibilities, and significantly cut back the trees/shrubs to improve visibility.  HCC’s preferred option of a shared footway/cycleway off carriageway has been deemed unviable currently due to the extreme cost (vs the level of funding held) and unavailability of additional land required.  Unfortunately, all the alternative options investigated (such as cycle lanes on carriageway, signed cycle routes on carriageway, physical and visual invertentions) for a direct route along Northfield Road have subsequently failed the associated Road Safety Audits and Speed Management Strategy.  It is not possible to reduce the traffic speeds by the significant level required to enable any direct route.  Therefore, aspirations for a direct cycle route along Northfield Road, that would have been of particular benefit to confident cyclists, are not implementable.  HCC has also investigated if a route along the railway line was possible and this has also been ruled out.  We are grateful to HCC for undertaking such a thorough investigation at their own cost. 

However, HCC continue to investigate if there are any options for improving the more indirect routes that may appeal to family/leisure cyclists and will report back in due course on whether any improvements can be made to footpath 72 to enable cycle use (parts not within the highway boundary) and whether cycle channels/ramps could assist access via the Grand Union canal towpath route.  The limited S106 funding provided by Taylor Wimpey must be spent by June 2024 if any acceptable and affordable enhancements can be identified.

A copy of the HCC report is available here: Pitstone to Tring Presentation 12-03-2020 FINAL

The Parish Council is actively involved with this work and continues to push for a successful resolution.

See separate post for details of car schemes, lift share and public transport

Attachments:

  1. http://pitstone.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/BHB-report-final.pdf
  2. http://pitstone.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/July-19-BCC-Feasibility-Study-for-Pitstone.pdf
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