Number of users - new cycle lanes St Owen Street
Case reference FOI2023/00122
Published 8 February 2023
Request
Could you forward me the number of cyclists that use the new cycle lane in St Owens Street, per day, per week and the predicted number of users to justify the vast amount of money spent on this project.
Response
Could you forward me the number of cyclists that use the new cycle lane in St Owens Street, per day, per week and the predicted number of users to justify the vast amount of money spent on this project.
Please find attached the cycle flow data spreadsheets. You will note that westbound cyclists total 2790 since scheme completion, more than double the eastbound number.
The urban area of Hereford carries 30-40,000 vehicle trips each morning and afternoon; 50% of which are entirely within a 10 minute cycling distance. The Herefordshire Council Local Transport Plan 2016 - 2031 Strategy is to increase cycling (from 2010 levels) by 100% by 2021, by improving cycling access into the city. The Hereford Transport Strategy Review 2020/21 identified a preferred strategy comprising of four key elements:
• Active travel measures and behaviour change;
• Bus service improvements and bus priority;
• Demand management (parking policy); and
• An eastern access road providing a second crossing for the River Wye.
This aligns with the government Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy 2017 to make cycling and walking the norm for short journeys to promote healthier active travel, clean air and reduced congestion and with the Department of Transport - Decarbonising Transport that the public transport and active travel will be the natural first choice for daily activities.
The A438 and B4224 form the main route for people travelling into the city centre from the east of the city. For westbound cyclists approaching the Bath Street junction, there was no direct route into the city centre, as St Owen Street was a one-way street south-eastbound. The only alternatives were the highly trafficked ring road or an extended route via Mill Street with restricted accessibility to the south of the city. Similarly access from the south-east (St James and Bartonsham) is restricted by the no-entry to Mill Street from Green Street. The traffic data identifies there was already a considerable number of cycles contravening the one way order and contraflow cycling along St Owen Street.
Although the city centre 20mph zone extends along St Owen Street to its junction with Bath Street, traffic speed data indicates that 85th percentile speeds are 25.7mph. The St Owen Street Cycle Contraflow, Non-Motorised User Context Report also highlighted 8 injury accidents since 2011, all of which involved motor vehicles coming into conflict with cyclists and pedestrians, but all cycles were proceeding in accordance with the (then) one way restriction. Two of these accidents involved vehicles accessing or exiting echelon parking bays.
Transport and transport infrastructure are currently significant contributors to carbon emissions in both embodied and operational carbon. Both new and existing infrastructure has the potential to impact the ecological environment in the area surrounding that infrastructure. The public realm improvements provide an opportunity to support a mode shift from cars to public transport, walking and cycling through enhanced provisions for these alternative modes. This will make the access to and circulation within this area more attractive for non-car modes, whilst maintaining provision for those for whom car use is essential.
A statutory consultation regarding the St Owen St cycle contraflow traffic regulation order was carried out from 19 May 2022 to 16 June 2022 following updated guidance.
The St Owen St cycle contraflow provides a key element of improved cycle access into the city centre from the north east quadrant, thus supporting the reduction on short journey car trips in this area.
The scheme design therefore includes vertical traffic calming measures to help reduce traffic speeds and to provide two at-level informal crossings for pedestrians. The loading and parking places have also been redesigned to be parallel to kerb, to minimise the need for reversing movements.
The St Owen St Cycle Contraflow scheme has been developed over a number of years and has been developed with input from a group of key local stakeholders as well as an informal public consultation.
It should be noted that the St Owen St Cycle Contraflow scheme was designed and constructed as part of a wider scheme of 'Hereford City Centre Improvement' (HCCI) works. This was a £6m package with a £3m grant from Central Government Get Building Fund, administered by the Marches Local Enterprise Partnership. The remaining £3m was funded from Herefordshire Council. HCCI was designed to support the local economy and enhance the retail environment. The refurbishment scheme is contributing to the delivery of the Herefordshire Streetscape Strategy to create an attractive, vibrant city centre to help support existing businesses and create new opportunities to encourage more visitors and retailers.
As the City becomes a more healthy and vibrant place to be, this will increase the number of visitors i.e. the footfall, and have a positive impact on local businesses, in turn increasing jobs created and providing a positive boost to the local economy.
Documents
This is Herefordshire Council's response to a freedom of information (FOI) or environmental information regulations (EIR) request.
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