The Great Highway Divide

Has anyone got a solution for crossing this car canyon?

Queensway underpass: Great for cars, rubbish for everyone else

I know, I know - long time, no write. Well, I've been busy living and breathing. But, finally, it's blogging time! 
In my defence, I have been out there, cycling the quiet backstreets of Southend, looking for my next Savvy Cycle Route. 
Savvy what? Well, to discover my favourite traffic-lite route between Leigh-on-sea to Southend-on-sea just click here. At the moment, it only offers directions one way, but I am working on the return route - Number 2 - honest! 
Today's blog has actually been inspired by my plans for Savvy Cycle Route Number 3. I've just finished checking it out and I'm happy to share it with the world. 
But before I do, there's one little issue that is worthy of a blog: no-go roads. Let me explain.  
I cycle. A lot. It is my primary transport. And it keeps me fit. (To see past blogs on the benefits of turning a commute into your daily gym routine, click here and here.) 
So I like to think I'm pretty road savvy. But even I find some roads so darn brutal that they become hard to navigate. They can literally turn into a barrier for anyone riding a bike, crushing any clever little route you might be planning to use. One such road in Southend is Queensway. 
For a town that won a stack of EU cash not so long ago to improve it's cycling reputation, this road is a disgrace. It carves its way through the very heart of Southend, splitting the town in two. To get from one side to the other takes nerves of steel. 
The main section of Queensway that worries me most runs from Southend Victoria Rail Station down to the seafront. Outside the station it's wide and very busy, but it is navigable if you keep your wits about you. The problem is this bit of the road is at the end of big funnel that focuses all of the traffic from the A127 into Queensway, and Queensway feeds it towards...a giant car park and the seafront. Of course, this is perfect if you're popping down to Southend for a bit of sun, sand and seaside fun. 
After the station, it quickly turns into an underpass - which is great for the cars - but not for anything made out of flesh and blood, like pedestrians and cyclists. As I hope my photo goes to show, this ugly gash casts a terrible blot on the landscape. 
And thanks to the underpass, there is a huge roundabout above it. Naturally, there is no pavement access around the roundabout - far too dangerous! Pedestrians are expected to use a segregated underpass which snakes down into this vile chasm. Of course, being independent thinkers, many pedestrians don't use the underpass at all, preferring instead to literally run the gauntlet of walking to the town centre on the road with the cars. (If you don't believe me, look it up on Google Street Map!) This is especially so at night. Let's be honest, who wants to descend into a dim underworld full of dark nooks and crannies? Not a single Southend councillor I bet! Or either of our town's MPs. 
Cyclists, of course, are road users and should stick to the surface. But even I find this roundabout pretty alarming - and that is putting it mildly. The cars hurtle around it confident that they have complete command of their surroundings. And they do: it's been built for cars, and and loved by cars. However, this no-go road doesn't stop there. 

Dedicated crossing: The joint pedestrian-bike crossing in Queensway

Queensway now crawls out of its grave and carries on as a nice dual carriageway, right down to the next roundabout, firmly slicing any routes across it in two. Yes, there are pedestrian crossings - and, yes, they are cycle friendly. But even the council has been stumped by this monstrosity. It's solution has been to encourage cyclists to stick to the "shared" pavements. Something I'm not a fan of. (If you want to know why riding on pavements is so damn confusing, click here.)
To be blunt, it is an eyesore and one of the worst barriers to pedestrians and cyclists. 
Unfortunately, this is the legacy we have to live with in Southend, and a lot of Britain, thanks to our car-fixated forefathers. 
The solution? Well, it's not going to get ripped up, is it? 
I'm loathed to admit, but the everyday answer is I just avoid crossing the town at this point - which is a pain as it is usually the most direct route, and the least undulating, from where I live to the east of Southend. 
And that brings me back to my Savvy Cycle Route Number 3. After much soul-searching, I've finally found a neat direct route that I'm happy with. Sadly, it's a cheat - the only underpass that cuts across Queensway quickly and neatly. 
It would be great if the powers that be could create some clean and safe way for cyclists to bridge this barrier. Until then, this underpass is the best solution I can find. 
And where is it? Well, that'll will be the subject of my Savvy Cycle Route Number 3! 

Biker-Hack's Savvy Cycle Route Number 1

The smart way to cycle from Leigh-on-sea to Southend-on-sea

It's taken a little longer than planned, but here at last is my first Savvy Cycle Route for getting across a part of Southend-on-sea in Essex. 
Anyone hoping for campaigners to suddenly win the battle for more funding (some might say "any") from politicians to improve cycling facilities is in for a long wait. The only real-world option is to get out there and ride. 
I've cycled all of my life and so I have my own strategy for safer cycling in built-up urban areas. Two earlier posts - which can be found here and here - explain this in detail. In a nutshell, I like routes light on traffic, as flat as possible and with a good road surface. 
What I see as my Savvy Cycle Route #1 helps me ride between the centre of Southend-on-sea and the heart of nearby Leigh-on-sea in Essex. It's slightly complicated by a maze of one-way streets in central Southend, so I use two routes - one to the northern end of the High Street and another to the southern end. 
To help make things as clear as possible, I've included some images mapping my suggested route (produced thanks to Google Maps). 
My only other caveat is to stress at the time of posting, I'd checked out the route and that all the streets mentioned can be cycled in the direction I've indicated. If things change, which is entirely possible, you obviously can't hold me responsible! 
But if a street suddenly is changed to permit two-way traffic when I've said it's one-way only, please do let me know. I'll check it out and make amends. Besides, I'd love to get as much comment on this as possible. 

Leaving Leigh: Stage 1

Stage 1: Leaving Leigh for Southend

Starting from outside Leigh Post Office in Rectory Grove, head east - it's the only way to go as it's a one-way street. The road forks left or right at a pedestrian crossing. 

Turning right into Elm Road and then bearing left at the next triangular pedestrian island will take you along the heart of Leigh's thriving shopping centre in Leigh Broadway. 

Keep your wits about you as it can get very busy with lots of pedestrians crossing and plenty of cars hunting for parking spaces. 

It's generally flat and the only uphill section is just after what was the Grand pub where the road bends sharply to the left. At the top of this short incline, the route bends sharply right heading into Leigh Road where you will pass the Broker pub and Our Lady of Lourdes & St Joseph's Church. 

The alternative, flatter route is to head left at the fork in Elm Road mentioned above and take the next right into Pall Mall. There are speed bumps along this road - which slow down the cars nicely - and there is much less traffic than in the Broadway. Head all the way along Pall Mall to the end T-junction and turn right. At the next T-junction, beside Our Lady of Lourdes & St Joseph's Church, turn left into Leigh Road.  

From Leigh Road to Chalkwell Park: Stage 2

Stage 2: From Leigh Road to Chalkwell Park

Leigh Road generally seems quieter than Leigh Broadway, perhaps because it feels a little wider. It can still be busy at times and it is a bus route (as is the Broadway, Rectory Grove and Elm Road), so stay alert. 

Carry on along this road. It bends to the left, just after a zebra crossing. The right-turn here is a popular choice for cars. It's wide and dips downhill abruptly which means they tend to drive at what feels faster than 30mph, although that's my opinion - I don't carry a radar gun with me! 

The safer and flatter alternative for cyclists is further along Leigh Road, although it does involve a tricky entrance into Chalkwell Park. 

It should be noted that this route through the park is not a road, even though vehicles do drive into the park. Cycling on what should be treated as a pavement is something I plan to blather on about elsewhere in my blog at a later date. 

Stage 2: Cars pass the route into Chalkwell Park (inset)

As you get closer to the park, Leigh Road itself bends sharply to the left just as another road (Old Leigh Road) meets it. To follow Savvy Cycle Route #1, you will need to turn right at this bend. I have no problem doing this. If it's too much for you, stop and cross well before the bend and walk your bike to the entrance of Chalkwell Park. 

Once inside the park, you are now officially in Westcliff-on-sea. There are signs warning that "authorised vehicles only" are allowed access and "caution pedestrians - 5mph only". So, can you cycle through here? Firstly, it is a park. Kids play here and ride around on their bikes freely. In all the time I've cycled through here, I've never had a problem because I slow down to walking pace and go very carefully. If a pet owner's dog bounds up to me (and they do) I'm ready to stop immediately.

Stage 2: Take care leaving the park for Imperial Avenue

Don't cycle here as if it's a racetrack. Behaviour like that only tarnishes the reputation of decent cyclists and, at worst, could lead to an accident. This section is all about cycling gently and showing respect to those around you. And that's the Biker Hack way! The route through the park is also very patchy and poor quality. Plus there are some rather vicious speed bumps. All of which add up to three good reasons for taking it easy.

Once in the park, you will pass a fenced-off cricket field on your left and open field on your right. You will dip down and pass an algae-covered pool (sorry, wildlife pond). This section is quite rough due to lots of ruts and leaf mulch in the winter. 

Keep on straight towards the large house in the centre of the park. Directly outside it is a circular flowerbed that looks remarkably like a mini roundabout. Head to the left and take the next right. This will then bend round to a car park where you turn left. (There is an one-way system into the car park and you will be following the "out" route.) As you reach the exit from the park - after another harsh sleeping policeman - you need to carry on straight (well, almost straight) into Imperial Avenue. 

From Chalkwell Park to St John's Road: Stage 3

Stage 3: Chalkwell Park to St John's Road

This stretch has a good road surface and is nice and wide. But best of all it is probably the flatest section of the whole route. It's a real pleasure to pedal along here, so enjoy it.There are going to be a lot of turns coming up! 

At the T-junction at the end of Imperial Avenue, turn right into Crowstone Road. Sadly, this part of the route is getting rather bumpy, with large resurfaced patches along this stretch. 

Again at the next T-junction (which is in fact a crossroads), turn left into Genesta Road. If you quickly look to your right, you'll see the steep hill that's been avoided in Kings Road. If you wish, stick to Genesta Road until the end, but I find it a very busy road with lots of local traffic cutting across town. Your best bet, in my view, is to take the first left into Satanita Road, which goes uphill slightly. At the end, take a right into Finchley Road which is much quieter, although rather full of potholes. 

Stage 3: The left-right from Anerley Road to St John's Road

At the next T-junction (opposite a pharmacy) you want to turn left and then right into Anerley Road, which is easy to miss because the corner is shaded by several trees. This is another nice, flat road. Sometimes, cars seem to zip along here, but there are far fewer of them than you would encounter in the heavy traffic a few hundred metres to the north in London Road. 

At the end of Anerley Road you'll reach a speed table at the T-junction with Hamlet Court Road. This road can be quite busy as there are plenty of shops and it's one of the few roads that crosses the c2c railway line further to the south. At the junction (opposite the post office), turn left and then immediate right into St John's Road (which is a one-way street) and cycle to the end. 

From St John's Road to... the northern part of Southend High Street: Stage 4a  

Stage 4: From St John's Road to Southend High Street

The T-junction at the end of St John's Road is very uneven, so again, be careful. You will be turning right here into Milton Road. Once you have passed the cafe (Real Good Food, reads the sign outside), you'll approach a very grand looking church on your left - Avenue Baptist. Take the next left - Avenue Terrace - on the corner by the church. 

From here, you are entering the lovely one-way maze at the heart of Southend's Milton conservation area. The 20mph roads here are generally very quiet and, unfortunately, quite bumpy in places. 

Ride down Avenue Terrace (it feels a little cramped with parking on both sides). At the crossroads (notice the no entry sign on your right), go straight ahead into Park Crescent. This one-way street bends to the right, and then left again, before stopping at a T-junction facing Park Road. Your only option here is to turn right. 

You are at the point where you can either head to the top end of the High Street (near the Victoria shopping centre) or the southern end of the street (near the Royals shopping centre). Let's deal with the northern end first (the yellow route on the map above). 

Stage 4: This turning into Park Lane isn't easy to spot

After turning into Park Road, look out for a left-hand turn into Park Lane. It's very easy to miss because a pavement build-out and the road markings make a bigger point of directing traffic to the right. 

The grandiosely titled Park Lane is actually a tiny backstreet. This is a two-way street (somehow!) so keep an eye out for oncoming cars. 

Once in the lane, turn left (it's a blind bend so go slowly) and pass what looks like a breakers yard and then follow the single yellow lines straight on and then round to your right. You should now see a one-way sign pointing to the left - obey it! 

Stage 4: Queen's Road heads straight to the High Street

This is now Park Street (lots of parks round here, eh?) and you want the next right into Queen's Road. This first section of Queen's Road is one-way, but you're heading in the right direction, so no worries. 

The route takes you straight over Princes Street (which has right of way, so take care), and runs past the Sunflower Cafe (on your right) and the gaudily-coloured Unveristy of Essex Southend campus's halls of residence (on your left).  

At the next T-junction, a road snakes across your route. You need to keep straight on, but technically you will turn right and then left to stay in Queen's Road. 

When the road runs out, you will be confronted by some cycle stands and Southend Post Office should be on your left. Welcome to the High Street! 

... to the southern end of Southend High Street: Stage 4b

Stage 4: From St John's Road to Southend High Street

OK, so you want to finish up closer to the sea. Fine. Let's back track a little and follow the red route. 

Once you have turned into Park Road, keep straight on. Pass the Park Lane turning, then an off-licence and then immediately turn left into Hamlet Road. 

Go over the speed bump (you're still in the 20mph zone) and as you approach the Cliff pub on your left, turn right over the c2c railway line. 

At this point, you can go straight on into Milton Place. Google Maps might say this is a one-way street - and it is for cars - but it is permissible for cycles to go both ways along here due to a contra-flow cycle line. Nice! 

At the next T-junction, turn left into the tree-lined Cambridge Road - the heart of the Milton conservation area. This is again another lovely street for cycling, a smoothly surfaced, wide road. As you approach a former church (it now houses the Clifftown Theatre and Studios used by East 15 Acting School), the route bends to the right (into Capel Terrace). A glance to your right will reveal a bowling green which has a nice cafe. 

At the T-junction, turn left into Alexandra Street. Keep straight on until the first pedestrian crossing which is actually on the High Street. By the way, just a little way further on is one of my favourite coffee shops (and I am definitely not referring to the multi-national chain beside the crossing). By now, you probably deserve a coffee, and I thoroughly recommend trying Utopia cafe. It's divine. 

Well done if you managed to follow my directions. As I said, this is a route I cycle all the time to reach the heart of Southend as is bypasses almost all of the main car-clogged routes and it is practically flat apart from occasional inclines. 

I'd love to know what you think about this route. So please feel free to comment below. 

Look out for the next blog with a step-by-step guide for the reverse route heading from Southend to Leigh - because the one-way streets around Southend High Street make it a little trickier than simply retracing your steps. 

So, until next time, keep cycling!

Resources

The maps in this blog were created using Google Maps. However, if you would like to access this map so you can zoom in, I have produced one using Google's My Maps application. I can share this with anyone interested, but to do so, I need your email address! To do that, please fill out the form below. 

The perils of stupid road markings

Poorly designed lanes can pose a serious risk to cyclists

There I was, gently cycling to work through the heart of London, when I came across this wonderful example of dumb road layout. Go on. Take a closer look at it. Ridiculous, isn't it? As Homer Simpson might say: Doh!

Pay attention: Giving way as you leave a roundabout is not normal

Let's be honest. There are many more important things in life than a mild rant about stupid road junctions. But if the devil is in the detail (as the old saying goes), it's stuff like this that perhaps matters most.
Why such outrage at this abomination? Allow me to explain.
I found this work-in-progress shortly after it was added to the roundabout that encircles the Museum of London at the start of the A1. I was coming from the east on the rather impressively named road, London Wall. If you're that interested, click here to see it on Google Maps
What I found impressive was from London Wall there was a new dedicated cycle lane which bypasses having to give way to traffic from the right - as is the norm under Highway Code rule 185. Brilliant! All those on a bike wanting to turn left can now zip round this corner on a bypass slip lane without having to worry about any conflict with cars, buses and lorries. Of course, the zipping can only come after paying attention to the pedestrian crossing on the approach to the roundabout.
As riders exit the roundabout, they have to merge with other traffic, including cyclists.
Now, here's the rub (to quote Shakespeare). How does Transport for London solve this merger of different traffic flows? That's right. It expects cyclists in the bypass slip lane to give way. In one fell swoop a touch of genius has been turned into a disaster waiting to happen. Give way? On the exit from a roundabout? Is TfL mad? Is the Mayor of London crackers?
I've no doubt some people will smugly say: Cyclists? Worry about the Highway Code and give way? Pah! 

Well, before anyone gets too sanctimonious, bad highway behaviour is not restricted to any single road user. There are plenty of bad car drivers, bus drivers, van drivers and, come to mention it, pedestrians.
The fundamental problem with this slip lane is its ill-thought design. On the one hand, it invites cyclists to ignore one of the Highway Code's basic rules (giving priority to traffic before joining a roundabout) and then just metres later, demands they give way to traffic as they exit the roundabout. I've cycled for most of my life and that seems a very unusual highway instruction to me. In fact, I'd go so far as to say it's counterintuitive.
The danger here is when a convoy of cyclists use this lane (and that can happen in busy old London). Anyone behind the lead cyclist has no indication they may be expected to stop unexpectedly. And that means a potential cycling pile-up.
It's as if the road boffins got to this point and suddenly realised they'd run out of ideas. "What we gonna do 'ere? Dunno. Let's just slap down a give way road markin'. That'll sort it."
If this slip lane is meant to genuinely help cyclists, it should be like the one on the northern side of this roundabout. There cyclists are free to carry on their merry right of way unimpeded by crap road markings.
It's no wonder that so many people on bikes ignore highway markings when confronted with this sort of illogical nonsense. Such woolly thinking is rife.
The only way more people will take up their bikes and ride is if road layouts are clear and simple to understand and not like this sorry excuse for highway management that's been vilified here.

On the hunt for traffic-lite cycling routes - part II

My very first Savvy Cycle Route

Sitting comfortably? With a brew? Then let's begin. 
Last time, I was explaining what I like to look for in the perfect quiet route for urban cycling. It has to dodge traffic and jams and isn't too arduous to pedal. 
If you're thinking of finding such a mythical route, how do you go about it?
Let's take my home town - Southend-on-sea - as an example. (By the way, don't be put off if you're not local to Southend. I'm confident my reasoning here can apply to wherever you are.)
I live near Leigh-on-sea - a delightful part of Southend with a working harbour and an abundance of independent shops. About three miles away is Southend High Street with all the big chain stores you would expect in any decent town. 

Crowded: A typical jam in London Road, Westcliff-on-sea

The main link between these two towns - imaginatively called London Road - is one of only two long-distance routes in and out of the borough. It can get horribly busy, jammed with cars, buses, vans and lorries at times, especially during the tourist season and at the weekends. 
The council has spent many years building pedestrian refuges, push-button crossings and expanding the pavement to create pinch points to slow down the traffic and help people cross more easily. 
Despite being a very well-used main road, this route has two advantages for cycling between the two towns. Firstly, it's pretty flat with only a few gentle inclines here and there. Secondly, it's the most direct route for me to use. 
For years, I've cycled this route without much thought given to finding an alternative. Then one day, for no particular reason, I decided it was time to find a quiet route. 
My first search for information was to check Southend Council's cycle map of the town - which is very good. Unfortunately, it's not that easy to find online on our council's website. 
As with many of these sorts of maps, it only highlighted cycle paths that would have sent me out of my way on this occasion. 
A quick search of Google Maps using its bicycle filter revealed a similar set of out-of-the-way routes. When I actually searched Google Maps for directions, it even highlighted the main road I was trying to avoid as the best choice!
So out came the my trusty street map and I began to think. 
I knew of an alternative route between the two towns, but parts of it were quite hilly - that is "hilly" in Southend terms, and certainly not anything like the never-ending gradients on the Tour de France!
But I digress. Getting back to those Southend inclines, I began to wonder if there was a way to dodge them.
Slowly, I began to realise there was. A left turn here, a right turn there and you practically had a neat little backstreet route.
The only snag was a particularly unpleasant up and down section. This wide stretch of road is where cars have a tendency to speed up and travel at what feels like a lot more than the 30mph speed limit. (For all those locals who are interested, it's Kings Road, Westcliff-on-sea.)
The eureka moment came when I realised cycling across Chalkwell Park would dodge all this - although the park, to the best of my knowledge, is not an official cycling route. (Now, there's a subject for another blog post!) 
After forming a plan, the only thing left was to get out there and give it a go. 
Everything went brilliantly on my way into Southend until I encountered a maze of one-way streets near my goal. Contrary to the stereotypical opinion about cyclists, there was no way I wanted to ride the wrong way along these roads. (And that'll be another future blog post topic, too.) 
After a quick rethink, I hit on a route which varies slightly, depending if you're heading to Southend or heading to Leigh. 
I use this route all the time now. No more sneaking past queues of cars waiting at traffic lights or struggling to breathe among all the fumes. It really has made cycling between the towns a pleasure and not a chore. 
For me, I like to think of it as my Savvy Cycle Route! 
But what is this wonderful route? Ah, well that's going to be the subject of my next post. Until then, keep on riding.

Resources 

If you want a copy of Southend-on-Sea's cycle map, the council advise you to email cyclesouthend@southend.gov.uk
If you have a rummage around the web, you can find it here online at Southend Council's dedicated cycling portal, Cycle Southend. 
Or alternatively here is a direct link to the main map.