We really want to know what you think are the issues in Central Bedfordshire – so this is an open question for you to discuss the issues of the day with other users of Let’s Talk Central.
So, whether it’s to let everyone know about something happening in the area, a question you’d like to hear others answer, just post them below!
CYCLE SIGNS
Why has CBC wasted our money on meaningless cycling signs with minutes on instead of distance?
So many of the cycle signs near where we live are incorrect.
A large number of the 68 signs in Stotfold and Arlesey not only give stupid inaccurate timings but also wrong directions, some sending cyclists off onto the un-cycle friendly A1. One sign sends cyclists down a road which is “Access Only”. If you are on a bike you are probably going to be local and know which direction Letchworth is in – not the way the Council signs point.
I know the Olympic champion cyclist Victoria Pendleton was born in Stotfold but even she would struggle to get to Letchworth in 9 minutes on her bike, as suggested by some numpty committee at CBC.
If the average suggested speed is 10mph (as told to us by the Council employee) then a mile would take 6 minutes and a distance of 3 miles would take 18 minutes would it not? So, why does the sign to Arlesey say 3 miles and 14 minutes? Why does the Henlow sign say 7 miles and 19 minutes? What is the point of these signs? By the way, it is actually 3 miles to Henlow from Stotfold NOT 7 miles.
I would like to challenge the committee at CBC to get on their bikes and demonstrate to us how long they take to get to these destinations.
These signs are a joke, except it is not funny when you consider how much money has been wasted printing these stupid inaccurate signs, putting them up on hundreds of new poles, removing paving slabs and cementing all the new poles in and the costs of removing all the signs and/or replacing them with correct ones.
How much is it going to cost to correct all these useless signs? Why didn’t the Council use this money on the much needed Telecare system for the elderly instead?
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Mrs Clarke
The new signage is part of a wider programme to promote the advantages of cycling.
The use of travel times is an innovation many cyclists welcome as it helps draw attention to one of the big advantages of using two wheels. The travel times assume an average cycling speed of 10 mph which is considered appropriate in areas that are fairly flat. Obviously the timing will vary on the fitness of the cyclist, the bike they ride and the characteristics of the route.
The investment in new signs used monies collected from developers and not public funds. This funding comes with specific conditions that dictate how it can be used – in this case on schemes that help mitigate the traffic impacts from housing growth. All of the signs are on highway land and are mounted on existing poles and columns wherever possible to minimise costs and street clutter. They remain the responsibility of the Council as the Highway Authority and can be altered should this be necessary.
We have been discussing these signs with your family and our staff did their best to respond to the questions you raised. We have made changes to the signing scheme following feedback. We welcome further feedback from people using the signs to help navigate their way around the network of local cycle routes.
We have also previously explained our rationale for charging for Telecare equipment in response to a question from yourself on this website. The majority of customers who receive Telecare in addition to other social care services from Central Bedfordshire Council will not face an increase in the contribution they pay towards the cost of their services.
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I think it only right to mention to the residents of Dunstable,who i feel most of them are not aware that 8 private houses in Dorchester Close Dunstable are going to be demolished by the council .The reason for this is to build a 2 storey carpark.Wonderful.This is to be built for parking for the quadrant shopping centre.I would add that the quadrant has not been sold yet.In the mean time the council have made a silly offer to buy our houses and if we do not accept we are threatened with
compulsory purchase.Not very nice i have lived here 21 years and some residents over 40 years.Also what a complete waste of
money the court drive bus lane will be.The traffic is bad now and it will be even worse.I sometimes wonder if councillor Nigel Young is of the same world as people in Dunstable.If ever a scheme to drive people away from Dunstable because of traffic
congestion, this must get 10 out of 10.
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