Network Improvements

Thanks to the Cycling Town Project, and other funding such as the Lancaster & Morecambe Economic Development Zone (EDZ) and Lancashire County Council we've been able to construct lots of new links and make improvements to existing routes - and there's still lots more planned for the next few years.
 
Go to our Our Cycle Network page to see a list of the main cycle routes in the area.
Additions to our parking network can be found at Cycle Parking
 
 
 
 

Lancaster / Lancaster City Centre

December 2010 - Toucan Crossing
New toucan crossing on the gyratory o/s old cinema site.  This crossing has been provided as part of the Travelodge development (on the old cinema site).  Further work to connect this crossing to the Thurnham Street gyratory crossing is expected in 2011.
 
 
September 2010 - University of Cumbria route
A new cycle link has opened providing a route onto the university campus and also a through route to the east (Williamson Park) and south (Bowerham Road).
 
 
Penrhyn Ave priority crossingJune 2010 - Priority crossing of Penrhyn Road
The shared use facility has been extended from the roundabout to the road crossing nr Penrhyn Road. This is the first example of a priority crossing in Lancashire (with a raised table).
 
 
May 2010 - Thurnham Street Crossing
You may have noticed that there is a new toucan crossing of the A6 at Thurnham Street. This is to assist cyclists in travelling in an east-west direction across town. Cyclists coming down Quarry Road can use this crossing to access George St/Spring Garden St and then join the gyratory heading north.
 
Plans are underway for another crossing of the A6 on King Street (just to the south of Spring Garden St) which will make this journey even easier. Eventually (once works on the new Travelodge are complete) cyclists should be able to contraflow cycle along this street meaning they can make the same journey in reverse (or thereabouts).
 
 
May 2010 - Morecambe Road
The footway on the south side of Morecambe Road has been converted to shared use between the toucan crossing at Carlisle Bridge and Our Lady’s school. To make the crossing point safer (of the A6 northbound slip road) the speed limit has been reduced, the road with has been narrowed and additional signage and markings have been installed.

March 2010 - Damside Street / Lower Church Street
Work has recently taken place to install cycle lanes on North Road (o/s Wetherspoons) to bring cyclists into the city centre (dismount at Cheapside or cycle along Church Street). A contraflow cycle lane is also in place to take cyclists down Lower Church Street and onto the one way system at Rosemary Lane – using the crossing at Stonewell.
 
 
January 2010 - Penny Street
Cycling is now allowed on the full length of Penny Street up to Common Garden Street – including cycling within the pedestrianised section between Spring Garden Street and Common Garden Street (M&S).

In a southerly direction cyclists will travel along Penny Street, with the flow of traffic up to Marton Street (where vehicles must turn left), cyclists can then access a contraflow cycle lane to allow them to travel to Penny Street Bridge Junction and new toucan crossings (see image right)

In a northerly direction cyclists should use the ASL at the Penny Street Bridge Junction to make the right turn into Penny Street. On passing Marton Street there is a new contra-flow lane cycle lane to allow access up Penny Street and into the pedestrian zone.

 
November 2009 - Penny Street Bridge Junction
Work at penny St Bridge junctionAll crossings at the junction were upgraded to toucan crossings. The overall streetscape has also been improved.
 
A right turn facility has been added for cyclists leaving Aldcliffe Road.
 
This work also includes a dedicated cycle lane and shared use path to connnect the junction to Ashton road (in front of the RLI), as well as a short section of cycle lane and shared use path conencting to the Canal towpath (Aalborg Place).
 
A cycle lane was also provided along the A6 from Great John Street to the junction. All three legs of the traffic lights at Dalton Square now have an ASL.
 
 
October 2009 - Church Street
Church Street - cycling in pedestrian zoneFurther improvement works have now been completed in Lancaster city centre to make it safer and easier for cyclists to get into and around the town’s busy one-way system.
 
The works in and around Church Street, include an on-road contra flow cycle lane on upper Church Street for westbound cyclists and an upgrade of the signal controlled crossing on China Street to a toucan crossing to provide access to the railway station, the west side of the city and the Millennium Bridge and beyond.
 
On the middle section of Church Street (traffic restricted area) signs are now in place giving cyclists the right to cycle in both directions at all times. Cyclists should ride responsibly along this section and give way to pedestrians. Cyclists should also dismount and push their bikes in other areas of the traffic restricted zone.
 
Road markings have also been introduced on Bridge Lane and Damside Street.
 
 
August 2009 - RLI
A new cycle route into the RLI opened on Monday 2nd August.

This route takes people from Aldcliffe Road over the (partly resurfaced) canal bridge, through the old BW site and into the RLI site via the staff car park at the rear of Medical Unit Two.

The route will initially be open for a 12 month trial period, during which time, the impact will be closely monitored. Should the cycle route prove successful, then an extension to the licence between the Trust and the City Council will be discussed.

The route will be open between 7am and 7pm. CCTV and improved lighting have been installed.
 

October 2008
Asl ScotforthAdvanced stop lines (ASLs) have been installed at all four arms of the A6 junction in Scotforth by the Boot and Shoe.
 
The ASL highlights an area of the road in which only cyclists are allowed to wait making them more visible in front of traffic queues and allowing them to position themselves in readiness for the lights turning green, whether going straight on or making a right turn
For more information on ASLs click here

Additionally a contraflow has been installed on Brook Street, Lancaster linking Carr House Lane / Dallas Road to Aldcliffe Road.

 
February 2008
Phoenix St xontraflowThe first phase of work in Lancaster city centre is now complete.

A new contra flow lane on Phoenix Street means that cyclists from the east side of town now have better access to the Millennium Bridge and beyond.

In addition to the new contra flow system, works were also undertaken on Parliament Street to upgrade the existing pelican crossings to toucan crossings, and also to create shared use pavements for both pedestrians and cyclists, which allow continuous access from the bridge to Phoenix Street.

The scheme was funded by the European Regional Development Fund, Lancashire County Council and the district's Cycling Demonstration Town Project.

Morecambe Promenade / Morecambe

March 2010
Widening of the Church Walk footpath, Morecambe - where possible - to accommodate cyclists. This runs between Church lane and Thornton Road. This work extends the Morecambe High cycle route to the rear of the school.
 
ASLs on Regent Road at junctions with Balmoral Road, Westminster Road and Marine Drive. Plus cycle lanes. This ties in with existing cycling infrastructure on Westgate/Regent Road and provides an almost complete link from Westgate to the prom.
 
 
April 2009:
Prom - Hest Bank Link
A new link connecting Morecambe Promenade and Lancaster Canal is now open.Cyclists can now reach the canal from the promenade, by crossing Coastal Road using the new toucan crossing by VVV. Then continue up Coastal Road using the new shared use paths - the canal can be accessed at the bottom of Rushley Drive - the first right turn off the path.

City, Coast & Countryside Circuit - Opening Ride Sunday April 19th at 11am. To view a short video of this ride or to download a leaflet go to our maps & guides page
 
 
Central Drive Morecambe
Work has now been carried out to complete the link from the Greenway to Central Drive / Morecambe Promenade. A shared use path runs over the Burger King access road and Hilmore Rd to join with the on-road cycle lanes on Central Drive, installed last year. Lancashire County Council have installed a new zebra crossing on Central Drive, at the Hilmore Rd end.
 
The path running between Hilmore Road and the rear of West End Road has now re-opened - and is now officially a cycle route.
 
 
Autumn 2008 - Westgate
ASLs have been installed at the Westgate/Northgate junction by Lancashire County Council, 2 new toucan crossings have also been provided.
 
 
October - December 2007 -Westgate
Work has recently been carried out on the southern side of Westgate to provide a shared use path to the new Lidl store (as part of the planning consent).
 
Lancaster City Council have recently carried out similar work to the footpath on the northern side of Westgate - connecting the Greenway link (by Westgate school) to the new store.
 

May - July 2007
Work to link the Greenway with the Promenade is now complete. This scheme consists of shared use footways at either end of Central Drive (Hilmore Road and part of Marine Drive) plus an advisory cycle lane on Central Drive.

Work on creating a new access for cyclists from Morecambe Promenade - at the Heysham end - has just been completed. This route goes via Knowlys Road giving accesss into Heysham village.
 
Please note that cyclists should not continue along the promenade path beyond this point, as this is a footpath and Bailey Lane is narrow, one way, with poor visibility.

April 2007
New byelaws allowing cycling on Morecambe Promenade came into effect on Sunday 8th April. The Prom and Greenway will now form part of Sustrans Route 69 (Morecambe to Grimbsy).
 
Minor works on the promenade (signage, dropped kerbs etc) took place in mid April.
 

Bike It

Spring 2009
As part of improvements that took place in 2008 a small number of trees and some undergrowth had to be removed from the woodland areas. To compensate for the loss, 45 new trees have now been planted in and around the school. Read full story.
 
 
May 2008 Moorside Launch- Moorside & St Bernadettes' Primary Schools
Work is now complete on the construction of a new 3m wide cycle path on the line of the existing path which runs between Bowerham Road and Gressingham Drive.

This includes:

  • a new fence on the school boundary, street lighting and appropriate signs and road markings.
  • conversion of the Bowerham Road footway (school side) to 'Shared Use' between the entrance to the above path o/s Stepping Stones to the junction of Bowerham Road and Barton Road.
Spring 2008 - Our Lady's High School
The footway in front of the school to the toucan crossing at Owen Road junction (Morecambe Rd) has been converted to shared use. Possible future schemes include the conversion of the footway from the school to the toucan crossing near Carlisle Bridge, and improvements to the footpath that runs from Lune Street to Morecambe Road.
 
 
December 2007 - Grosvenor Park School
Improvements were carried out to the link from Roeburn Drive to the Lancaster Morecambe Greenway, alongside Grosvenor Park School.

Prior to the works being undertaken, residents regarded the path to be narrow, dingy and unattractive, fenced on both sides with overgrown rotting trees and undergrowth.

The improvements included realignment of the school boundary fence, removal of the dying/decaying trees and undergrowth and the planting of new trees and a hedgerow. Children from Grosvenor Park School helped to plant the remaining trees on Thursday 24th January 2008 (see opposite).
 
 

Lancaster & Morecambe Greenway - Links

Completed 2007
December - Improved Grosvenor Park link - see above.
 
April - Virtual links between Greenway and Morecambe Road (see right).
 
January - A further link to the Lancaster Morecambe Greenway has been completed at Browsholme on the Scale Hall Farm estate
 

Completed April/May 2006

  • A pathway between Lancaster Road and Ullswater Road has been improved. This path provides better acess to the Greenway via Christie and Ennerdale Avenues.
  • local residents at Christie Avenue, MorecambeA new link at Winthorpe Avenue.
     
  • An improved link from Christie Avenue (see right) - across the watercourse- and Ennerdale Avenue to the Lancaster and Morecambe Greenway.
     
Further work is planned near the Shrimp roundabout - to extend the Ullswater Avenue link over Lancaster Road and Broadway. Plus further minor improvements to access points.
 
 

Lancaster & Morecambe College

August 2008
The footpath on Morecambe Road between Ovangle Rd and Heysham bypass roundabouts has been converted to shared use (College side). This conversion continues into the College grounds.
 
 
 

Salt Ayre Race Circuit

racing at Salt AyreJune 2008
Work has just been completed on the racing circuit at Salt Ayre. This included the widening and resurfacing of the circuit, installation of ducting for a future lighting scheme and the provision of a tarmaced area that is now to be used as a cycle skills area.
 
The majority of the funding for the works came from Sport England and a small amount from the CDT project.
 
The Official Opening of the track took place on Saturday July 5th. More information about the track can be found here.
 
More information about Salt Ayre Cycling Association at www.saltayrecycling.com and Cog Set at www.cogset.org.uk
 
 

Caton Road / River Lune Millennium Park

October 2008
Work has recently started on converting footways on Caton Road. This work - funded by additional monies from ERDF and Lancashire County Council comprises:
  • Conversion of footway to shared use on the south side of Caton Road in an easterly direction between Langdale Road and the existing Pelican crossing adjacent to Lansil Way
  • Upgrade of existing Pelican to a cycle friendly Toucan crossing (to be done spring/summer 09)
     
  • Conversion of footway to shared use on the south side of Caton Road in a westerly direction between Langdale Road and the slip lane to Bulk Road adj. Ladies Walk
     
  • A pedestrian/cycle refuge crossing of Caton Rd adj. Ladies Walk
     
  • Conversion of footway to shared use on the north side of Caton Road between the old Kingsway Centre over-spill car park adjacent to Skerton Bridge and the existing access to the River Lune Millennium Park to the east of the TA centre. A short section of footway between Lansil Way and the existing Pelican crossing nearby will also be converted to shared use
     
Completed December 2006
As part of the EDZ Cycling Network a new link has been created to allow better access to the Lansil Industrial Estate from the River Lune Millennium Path. The link uses land bought from Vertella and leads directly onto Lansil Way.
 
Further works planned for Caton Road include conversion of existing footways to shared use and a new toucan crossing are due to be be consulted upon in the near future.

 

New Signage

Way of the Roses Signage
Way of the RosesAs part of the new Coast to Coast route 50 signs have been erected between Morecambe and the North Yorkshire border to show riders the way to Bridlington (or Morecambe).
 
The Way of the Roses is a new 170 mile coast to coast cycle route. For more information on the route visit www.wayoftheroses.info or click here.
 
 
 
Completed December 2006
boundary sign14 boundary signs have been installed at key entry points across the district welcoming road users to Lancaster and Morecambe (see right).
 
In addition to these there are now a number of wayfinder signs on the Lancaster & Morecambe Greenway directing people to key destinations, as well as even more signs on roads/paths around the greenway directing people onto the cycleway.
 
 
 
 

Lancaster Canal

April 2009
New link between Prom and Canal completed - see Morecambe promenade section
 
 
Completed December 2007
In December 2007 towpath surfacing was extended south to Deep Cutting bridge at Ashton Road. Signage and lining on Ashton Road provides a link to south Lancaster and the university route via Ashford Road.
For more information go to our Lancaster University page
 
 
Completed November 2006
In 2003/4 the towpath to the north of Lancaster (Hammerton Hall Lane to Carnforth) was improved. In January 2006 work started to extend these improvements through to Aldcliffe Basin at Lancaster. This project is funded by the Lancaster & Morecambe EDZ, Cycling Demonstration Town and Lancashire County Council.
  • Phase One created a link from Caton Road/Langdale Road via Tunnel Field to the eastern side of the Canal using Dolphinlea Bridge. Resurfacing works took place along the canal from the bridge through to Moor Lane (on the western side).
  • Phase Two improvements were from Caton Road to Hammerton Hall Lane and between Moor Lane and Aldcliffe Basin. The work was then extended southwards (past the Haverbreaks estate until the point where the canal and Aldcliffe Road diverge). New access points have been created on/at Aldcliffe Road (opposite Regent Street and from Bridge 98), Nelson Street Car Park, Green Street, Langdale Road, Ambleside Road and Halton Road.
     
  • Phase Three comprises a new path running along the eastern side of the canal from Dolphinlea Bridge to Ambleside Road. This will provide a direct link from the Ridge Estate to Caton Road.
     
    • Links from the towpath through Haverbreaks and the RLI are currently undergoing negotiation with relevant stakeholders.
       
    • Please note the towpath over the aqueduct will be resurfaced as part of planned restoration works to the structure (by the Canal & River Trust) hopefully in 2009/10.

Coming Soon

Under Consultation / Design / Consideration:
  • More Advanced Stop Lines (ASLs) in Lancaster and Morecambe
     
  • Further work in Lancaster city centre including toucan crossings at either end of George St/Spring Garden St
  • South Road / Pointer Roundabout - see plans here
  • Shrimp Rooundabout - see plans here

last updated November 2010