To cycle in Telford you need 360 degree vision and granite nerves.
Telford is a new town which comprises much older constituent towns. The whole area was slabbed in new road infrastructure in the late 60s and early 70s in readiness for expansion of it’s populous. Motoring for the masses was near the top of the agenda back then, and this is reflected in the way Telford is laid out.
Telford’s network of roads is fantastic. Congestion is still quite uncommon and traffic flows well. But I believe there are a few downsides, economically, sociably and environmentally.
What any outsider would consider to be part of the public highway, the inhbitants of Telford (generally) regard as there own personal race track. They seem reluctant to share it with anyone!
Telford is my home town. It is where I learned to ride a bike and where I first learned to deal with traffic. I’ve lived away for a while in Manchester, so now I really have something to compare cycling in Telford against.
After taking to the streets of England’s third city (and they present their own fair share share of problems) I feel very very vulnerable when I return to Telford’s roads and here is why I think that is so.
Drivers in Telford just don’t expect to slow down or stop. So they won’t slow or stop. The road layout seems to help condition them to this – some kind of ‘top gear’ mentality where drivers literally have to be in overdrive. There are now some places where drivers do have to be more patient, for example negotiating the Traffic lights at Hollinswood, Trench Lock and Ketley interchanges. The traffic controls at each of these locations are relatively recent introductions and the local newspaper was filled with correspondence for month upon month following the introduction of the traffic lights at each one. I think it’s good that Telford’s driver are having to learn a little patience, but I’m sad to say that in general, all the roundabouts, wide junctions, sweeping bends and good visibility on most the roads knitting Telford together have conspired to create an environment that is, at best, difficult for cycling and walking.
It is saddening that a good road network seems to bring out the worst in drivers the same way, in my experience, that a good car often does.
Tags: attitudes, cycling, driver, driving, green, road network, sustainable, Telford, travel
