UK Cyclists, pedestrians and equestrians need roads with them in mind

Cyclists, pedestrians and equestrians would prefer improvements on Highways England's (HE's) road network to be open to all types of user – but safely, with areas of greater risk identified and appropriate interventions made, according to a new report from Transport Focus (TF). The independent watchdog engaged with these road users across the UK who stressed the importance of the network in affecting their everyday lives. Key findings showed that safety is of crucial importance to all three groups when
January 12, 2018 Read time: 2 mins

Cyclists, pedestrians and equestrians would prefer improvements on 8101 Highways England's (HE's) road network to be open to all types of user – but safely, with areas of greater risk identified and appropriate interventions made, according to a new report from Transport Focus (TF). The independent watchdog engaged with these road users across the UK who stressed the importance of the network in affecting their everyday lives.

Key findings showed that safety is of crucial importance to all three groups when interacting with the network; whether crossing or travelling along it. Research on its usage indicates that 5% of those who cycle regularly, and 14% of those who walk, will go on, next to, or across motorways or major A roads when they do these activities. The primary concern for pedestrians was on the lack of footpaths, especially in more rural areas. In addition, these users have also stated that they are willing to take part in further research into their needs and concerns.

TF will now carry out a new survey to measure the level of satisfaction with journeys among cyclists, pedestrians and equestrians, which will be piloted in two areas of the UK later this year. It is based on the report’s conclusion that are enough cyclists and pedestrians that use the network to make a quantitative satisfaction survey feasible. The views of equestrians can be gathered qualitatively due to their small numbers.

These road users are from Dover, Manchester, Newcastle, Shoreham, York, Didcot, Lowestoft and Hastings.

Anthony Smith, chief executive of TF, said: “Our new survey will help improve understanding cyclists, pedestrians and equestrians’ priorities and make sure England’s major roads are not a barrier to their journeys. This insight should help Highways England and the Government to focus investment and effort on things that make a real difference for these road users”, Smith added.

A copy of the report can be found %$Linker: 2 External <?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-16"?><dictionary /> 0 0 0 link-external here Transport Focus website link false https://www.transportfocus.org.uk/research-publications/publications/cyclists-pedestrians-equestrians-measuring-satisfaction-highways-englands-network/ false false%>.

Urban Traffic Control

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • RAC Foundation: UK drivers receive 12 million penalties annually
    October 25, 2017
    Up to 12 million driving license holders receive a penalty notice each year – the equivalent of one every 2.5 seconds; meaning as many as a third (30%) of Britain's 40 million drivers now receive a penalty notice annually. The findings come from the Automated Road Traffic Enforcement: Regulation, Governance and Use - for the RAC Foundation by Dr Adam Snow, a lecturer in criminology at Liverpool Hope University. The penalty notices include the Fixed Penalty Notice (a criminal penalty issued
    Read More
  • Ride-hailing and taxi drivers could face tougher criminal checks in England
    February 14, 2019
    Drivers who ply their trade on apps such as Uber could be under greater scrutiny as part of proposals being put forward by the UK government. The potential risk to passengers from the explosion of ride-hailing apps, as private-hire drivers are perceived to receive less thorough vetting – for example, to flag up past convictions – has long been argued. Incidents such as the murders of passengers by a Didi driver in China heightened such concerns - although critics point out that a US Uber driver who ad
    Read More
  • Companies depend on automation, AI and machine learning for cyber security
    February 23, 2018
    To defend against cyber attacks, 39% of organisations are reliant on automation, 34% on machine learning and 32% on artificial intelligence (AI), according to the Cisco 2018 annual report conducted on 3,600 chief information security officers. It found that over half of all attacks resulted in financial damages of more than $500,000 (£697,000), including, but not limited to, lost revenue, clients, opportunities, and out-of-pocket costs. The study revealed that adversaries are using Malware sophistication
    Read More
  • TISPOL confirm speakers for UK conference 2018
    March 2, 2018
    The European Traffic Police Network (TISPOL) has announced some of its speakers for the International Road Policing And Road Safety Conference 2018 ahead of the opening of its delegate and exhibitor bookings. The event will bring together politicians, policy makers, road safety professionals and senior police officers for an update and discussion at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Manchester Airport, from the 9-10 October. Alan Tapp, professor of marketing at the Bristol Social Marketing Centre, University of the
    Read More

Highlighted Content