CYCLE NETWORK AND ROUTE PLANNING GUIDE

12.2.1 Infrastructure projectsEach local authority has forward workprogrammes identifying the infrastructureworks to be implemented in the planningperiod, including road, path and bridgeconstruction and maintenance(see Table 12.1).A plan showing these infrastructure worksshould be superimposed on the cyclenetwork plan to identify where the twosets of works overlap. Any desirable cyclistfacilities should be incorporated in themainstream infrastructure works ratherthan being retrofitted at greater expenseand possibly to a lesser standard later.Also, cycle facilities can be provided aspart of other infrastructure works (ormaintenance) rather than being funded bya local council’s dedicated cycle facilitiesfund. This means the fund can be madeto go further and the primary cycle routenetwork can be achieved sooner.Individual opportunities to incorporatecycling works with other programmedworks are likely to be scattered aroundthe network, which means fragmentedfacilities until the inter-linking portionsare completed. This is unavoidable andacceptable as long as suitable transitionsare designed. However, it is desirable toimplement whole routes wherever possibleas incomplete cycle facilities are likely toresult in significant cyclist dissatisfaction.Refer to section 13.4 for more informationon monitoring programme implementation.12.2.2 District plansInclude maps of the primary cycle routenetwork in district plans, together withappropriate objectives, policies andrules relating to avoiding, remedying ormitigating the adverse effects of otheractivities on cycling, in a similar way toprovisions for arterial roads. Mitigationmeasures could include, for example,off-street car parking provision to allowfor cycle lanes, and private contributionstowards implementing an adjacent sectionof the network.12.3 Implementationprogrammes12.3.1 Long-term programmeThe long-term implementation programme,which needs to be flexible, should recordeach project’s name, location, estimates ofconstruction cost and professional fees,and proposed year of implementation.The professional fees for investigation anddesign can be significant compared withother roading projects.For the purpose of integration, the cyclenetwork implementation programmeshould have the same planning period asthe local authority’s LTCCP.Separate plans showing each stage of thework should be prepared. Such plans helpidentify and avoid any gaps in the network.12.3.2 Short-term programmeA more precise one- to five-year cyclenetwork implementation programmeshould be prepared, based on the longertermprogramme. This programme canfeed into the local authority’s annualplanning process.12.4 Cycle networkand programmereviewAt least every five years, the entire cyclenetwork and implementation programmeshould be reassessed to confirm itscurrency. Factors to consider include:• has the cycle network developmentprogressed as planned?• have cyclist desire lines or cycle routeusage changed?• has cyclist safety improved?• have there been significant changesto the district transport infrastructureor major land-use developments thatrequire changes to the network plan?• have cycle network and route designand planning practice changed?• has the way that cycle projects areevaluated and funded changed?• are there opportunities to completegaps in the network that should begiven a higher priority?12.5 Detailedinvestigationand designThis step involves assessing individualcycling infrastructure projects in moredetail than at the network planning stage,which may have been undertaken someyears previously.It may be appropriate to confirm that theplanned option is still the most appropriate.Refer to the earlier sections of this guidefor details of these assessments.12.6 AuditThe audit tools discussed in section9.3 can be applied at scheme conceptstage, to detailed design plans, and afterconstruction.12.6.1 Design auditBefore the detailed investigation anddesign are complete, plans should beaudited to identify any design deficienciesand to ensure that opportunities to improvecycling conditions are properly considered.73