Council moves to remove barriers to public accessibility

pedestrian barrier

Written by

chris

in

A project that aims to help residents get around the village using the path network wants your views to help guide its next steps. The Parish Council has shared seven H&I locations where access barriers to be removed – and residents are being invited to say if they agree with each suggestion or not.

Metal chicanes across footpath entrances, barriers at cul-de-sac ends and street links are among the challenges preventing people from moving around the village. Especially pedestrians using wheelchairs, mobility scooters or pushchairs. 

Improving accessibility

Advert
access barrier
Cllr McKeown has been able to illustrate what locations with the access barrier removed with the help of an AI tool. Photo: Cllr Tom McKeown / Dall-e AI model

Cllr Tom McKeown, Chair of the Highways Committee has been championing this project since he first joined the council. The initiative is in line with the Equalities Act 2010 and a Histon & Impington Neighbourhood Plan priority is to improve footpaths for sustainable travel. 

He said: “All residents can take part in the survey which looks to understand the community’s views on our proposals. We are seeking views on seven locations where a safety audit has approved direct removal of an existing barrier. 

“Locations where white lining, addition of signs, installation of bollards or other measures may be required are not being considered at this time. We hope residents will understand the primary motivation for improved accessibility and the additional secondary benefits to sustainability.”

The seven locations

Twenty-six barriers have been identified for evaluation. Guidance from Cambridgeshire County Council and road safety experts suggests 15 of them are completely removed, nine require more involved redesigns and one is relocated. One has already been removed as part of works on the Guided Busway. 

Last November, HI HUB reported the Parish Council had allocated funds towards removals for the first round of works. The seven initial locations being suggested as simple removals in the survey are:-

  • The Coppice – Central
  • The Coppice – South
  • Henry Morris Road
  • Symonds Close (proposal includes metal and concrete barrier)
  • Parlour Close
  • Narrow Close
  • Parr Close

Contributors are also welcome to add further comments to the proposals. Locations that require replacement bollards or other measures will be visited in later rounds of work. 

The survey is available here or can be accessed via QR codes attached to barriers around the village. It will close on Monday 3 February ahead of discussions at the Highways, Drainage and Formal Spaces committee on the evening of Tuesday 4 February.

READ MORE: Two local groups selected for Co-op Community Fund

Comments

  1. Graham Hastings

    With the rapid increase in the number of dangerously ridden electric bikes and scooters I think this is a very bad idea. It will result in these vehicles being driven at speed down narrow pedestrian pathways. There will be serious injuries, even deaths.

    Reply
  2. A pollyn

    Their object was to stop accidents by mainly children ending up on the road,possible collision with traffic.

    Reply
  3. Susan Smart

    No Way. Years ago they where taken down in parlour close and we had motor bikes using the FOOT PATH day and night,
    Children and the elderly use the path and we have to jump out the way for racing cyclists, I am fed up with people
    Changing thing when they don’t live near one.

    Reply
  4. Peter Garside

    Foot Paths are intended for the public to walk safely in our community. However many people cycle on the foot paths & expect walkers to make space for their journey. Accidents are therefore very likely as a result of this action by our Parish Council. No doubt this bad idea will be reversed in the future as further expense.

    Reply
  5. Angie

    Will the Council also flag up the dire state of our village footpaths for safety reasons as well? Surely that must be a priority for safe, sustainable travel for all residents, especially the elderly & infirm!

    Reply
  6. Eleanor Francesca Whitehead

    As a non driving Mum in days gone past I can honestly say I had no problem negotiating the staggered barriers about Histon and Impington when using a pram and later a tricycle carrying two children. Cars parked on pavements and speeding cyclists on footpaths with or without barriers did cause problems. If anything these incidents have increased with car ownership and the reluctance of cyclists to use a bell. However, children of school age are the most likely to say thank you when one makes way.

    Reply
  7. Patricia Roberts

    some 36 months ago i moved to Histon and i wrote then to the council about the stagger barriers on footpaths and was reassured by a council member they were there to prevent racing cyclists and scooters and to prevent harming pedestrians , as a wheel chair user myself i find the present staggered barriers allow me to access to use the footpath: i am able to meet my grandson from school, access the shopping areas and the common/green with ease, i think they are ideally designed as do others who have commented. AND I am delighted that we have a council who are aware of other problems of transport than the car driver’s!!

    Reply
  8. Keith Stonell

    Prior to the barriers being installed, these narrow footpaths were used as an illegal and dangerous “rat-run” by motorcycles. This happened frequently and at all times of the day and night, causing danger to pedestrians, especially children and pushchair users. It also caused noise and fume pollution. This must not be allowed to re-start.

    The barriers, while not preventing cyclist access, at least serve to slow them down, reducing danger to themselves, other users, including children.

    There are often close alternative pathways allowing safer, better maintained and wider access for wheelchair and mobility scooter users.

    Reply
  9. Jane thomas

    I don’t care as it doesn’t make any difference to me

    Reply
  10. Tom

    The hyperbole and I’m-alright-Jack-isms in these comments is astonishing.

    Pedestrian deaths due to cyclists are vanishingly small – average half per year across the whole UK. This is not so with pedestrian deaths from drivers.

    It’s great that these features don’t get in your way. Please consider those who are pleased they might finally have direct routes though the village, or are upset that the feature that blocks their wheelchair or mobility scooter is not being addressed in this batch.

    Reply
  11. Val Brown

    I agree that the barriers should definitely not be removed. E.g. in Henry Morris Rd one of the residents has already been involved in an accident having been hit by a speeding cyclist near the blind corner of the footpath which leads to Henry Morris Rd between The Dole and Parr Close. Both the barrier in Henry Morris Rd and the one near Parr Close should remain where they are. There are much better alternative routes to enter both The Dole and Parr Close safely.

    Reply

Leave a Reply to Keith Stonell Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

More posts