| After my last blog on the new Whipps Cross junction, our journey towards London continues with a brief survey of the new cycle traffic lights between Whipps and the Bakers Arms. |
| Overall, these, and the segregated cycle track, are excellent: a real contribution towards increasing safety and reassurance for cyclists. There are, however, a few snags in the implementation which could either be fixed at some point, or borne in mind when designing future infrastructure. But I’m not an expert, just a cyclist, so please let me know if I’ve misunderstood the situation! Very happy to learn. |
| There are three sets of lights on the section I’m talking about today. The first is just after Whipps Cross, at the junction with Wood Street. [below, left] For someone heading straight on towards London there are no lights just a useful right filter for cyclists who want to turn north up Wood Street [below, right]. There’s no obvious indication of redirection onto this segment for cyclists coming south from the Waterworks roundabout – see my previous blog: something for a future project perhaps. |
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| The second set of lights is along the flat, straight section, at the junction with Eastern Road and West End Avenue [below, left]. The button for cyclists to press [below, right] is well placed; the only problem here is that if you’re unlucky it’s a very long wait until the green bike comes on again – many cyclists are I’m afraid tempted to go through the red light, or join with the motorised traffic. |
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| From there we head past the shops and the floating bus stop to the junction with Leyton Green Road. Just beforehand, there’s a pedestrian crossing with a separate bike light [below, left]. Leyton Green Road is the site of a bus garage, so lots of buses turn left here [below, right]. |
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| As you can see from [below, left] & [below, right], the button you have to press to activate the cycle crossing is too close to the buses for comfort – drivers coming from behind you quite understandably think you’re going to cross in front of them, and there’s a real danger of being clipped by a long vehicle whose driver misjudges the bend. The button should be taken back from the position of the pedestrians’ one – though I’m not sure how, as it shouldn’t block the pavement either. |
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| The last set of lights for today is the one at the Bakers Arms itself, approached by a nice piece of track (today, remarkably van-free) [below, left & right]. |
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| Again, the cyclists’ button [below, left] [below, right] is a little too near the road for comfort, but it’s not as scary as Leyton Green Road. |
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| So, overall, a much more pleasant and safer ride than before, with a couple of provisos. |
Are there any red lights cameras for jumping red lights turning right live towards A12 at th movement Thanks
Hi Joginder – not quite sure what you mean?