Hagbourne Hill open again

Does any one else feel that the new “traffic calming” at the edge of Upton descending from Hagbourne Hill is an accident waiting to happen? This descent can be relatively fast by bike (speeds of 25-30mph quite easily achievable approaching Upton), and I predict cars overtaking cyclist just before the traffic calming approaching Upton, only to have to slam their brakes on as there is a car coming the other direction (priority to uphill traffic). It doesn’t look like there would be much room to squeeze past any cars waiting in order to use the cycle lane to the left of the traffic calming furniture. If anything the new design likely makes things more dangerous for cyclists, in spite of the the new 40mph limit.

My opinion is for me as a rider to be aware that that situation may happen and therefore be prepared to stop quickly, or slow down from 25-30 mph as I approach that area if cars are coming down behind me and spot a car coming up.

My worry is if I am on my bike and at 15/20 mph and going to the left of the traffic calming island in the bike lane, and then having a car going to the right of the island at 40mph crunching me up onto the curb as they didnt realise I had a cycle lane to go through and so didnt realise I was there. But again, I need to be prepared I guess.

I agree with both of the above. I feel that the new island is not given adequate advance warning for the unwary, and it is not lit . The cycle lane is quite narrow, so if there are no cars I just whizz down the main lane. When there is traffic about, it’s inevitable that the pinch-point will put it in conflict with cycles more than before.

I have another concern which affects both cycles and vehicles – at the junction at the top of the hill there are non-skid surfaces on each lane, but they do not overlap at the middle and the angle of the junction is such that making the turn, one inevitably crosses sections of road without this surface, where skidding is more likely. A couple of extra metres of non-skid on each lane would be a major help.

I think the situation may be temporary, to appease residents during the period with excessive traffic while the other route up the hill is closed for the junction work at the bottom. Once this and the link road to Didcot are complete, there was a plan to permanently close the Upton bit to through traffic (apart from access and cyclists) and have a controlled crossing at the top for us to get through all the new traffic the link road will generate. Does anyone know if that is still the case, or are OCC content that the island is sufficient mitigation for the residents?

Chris

ccolborne, I was also wondering about the eventual access on Chilton road, between Hagbourne Hill and Upton. The consultation map states “PROPOSED 5m, WIDE GATE WITH NON-MOTORISED, USER ACCESS”. The latter seems to make a lot of sense, IMO. Map can be found here:
https://consultations.oxfordshire.gov.uk/consult.ti/harwell_link/consultationHome
https://consultations.oxfordshire.gov.uk/gf2.ti/f/483010/12499941.1/PDF/-/8a__A1_Landscape.pdf

I believe that while this was the original plan, there was objection from landowners who needed to access fields alongside the road which led to the current situation with road calming rather than a closure to non-motorised traffic.

Something to slow traffic at the top would be useful, but given the visibility around bends road humps would seen to be the only option.