Dartford Crossing

[Biggsy]

I don't remember seeing a service path when I began to cycle over the Dartford bridge, but maybe I didn't get far enough.  (I turned back when I saw coppers).

[TimO]

Interestingly, I managed to find that the legal requirement to transport cyclists is in Section 27 of the Dartford-Thurrock Crossing Act 1988.

Services for transporting cycles and cyclists through crossing.

(1) The Secretary of State shall either provide, maintain and operate vehicles for the purpose of carrying pedal cycles and cyclists through the crossing or make such arrangements as he considers appropriate with any other person for securing the provision, maintenance and operation of vehicles for that purpose.

(2) No charge shall be made in respect of the carriage of any cycle or cyclist on any vehicle provided by, or in pursuance of arrangements made by, the Secretary of State under subsection (1) above.

I don't quite know how the law works in these respects, but presumably these provisions have to be made in a reasonable manner ie they can't choose to do it too slowly?

[Mr Larrington]

IIRC it was back on u.r.c that I was told I was a Silly for complaining about the lack of a cycle path over the QE II bridge because "it'd be far too steep".  If I can haul a forty-five pound recumbent over the Humber Bridge northbound after a very wet night section of a 400 (night spent half riding and half being sick inna hedge) then I don'tbthink Dartford would hold any fears.

[jsabine]

I don't quite know how the law works in these respects, but presumably these provisions have to be made in a reasonable manner ie they can't choose to do it too slowly?

I'm sure there'll be an implied condition of reasonableness, but I'm equally sure that an hour and a half's wait will be seen as reasonable - after all, if you were under any sort of time constraint or on any sort of business, you'd be using a more professional mode of transport than a bicycle.

[contango]

Interestingly, I managed to find that the legal requirement to transport cyclists is in Section 27 of the Dartford-Thurrock Crossing Act 1988.

Services for transporting cycles and cyclists through crossing.

(1) The Secretary of State shall either provide, maintain and operate vehicles for the purpose of carrying pedal cycles and cyclists through the crossing or make such arrangements as he considers appropriate with any other person for securing the provision, maintenance and operation of vehicles for that purpose.

(2) No charge shall be made in respect of the carriage of any cycle or cyclist on any vehicle provided by, or in pursuance of arrangements made by, the Secretary of State under subsection (1) above.

I don't quite know how the law works in these respects, but presumably these provisions have to be made in a reasonable manner ie they can't choose to do it too slowly?

The chances are they can endlessly hide behind the sign that says "Cycle crossing service is not currently available due to circumstances beyond our control. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause."

Because, you know, not being able to get home without diverting a huge distance is nothing more than a minor irritation.

[Redlight]

I can tell you, from experience, that if you jump back on your bike and start pedalling towards the tunnel entrance, a cycle crossing service very quickly becomes available 

[Adam]

I don't remember seeing a service path when I began to cycle over the Dartford bridge, but maybe I didn't get far enough.  (I turned back when I saw coppers).

There's about a 1 metre gap between the crash barrier and the fence on the outer edge.  So wide enough for walking along, but not to allow cyclists to pass each other.

[Tulyar]

Ensign Bus operates the X80 hourly Mon-Sat with a vehicle which could carry bikes (and similar to those that do on Snowdon, by Windermere, on IoW, and in New Forest.

27.1 Could make it possible to run X80 for longer hours, and carry cycles - one to explore? Perhaps with free ride option solely across river and for paid fare you get to Greenhithe Station or Chafford Hundred Station. Outside core day times it may be an option to register this as an on-demand service - sort of dial-a-ride.

Any collated figures for demand?

I was aware that for pre-booked pelotons the practice was to top & tail with escort vehicle and ride through as a block

I also have a campaign to get bike carriage on the 108/N108 between N Greenwich and Bromley by Bow, and reinstate the 395 over a shorter route between Limehouse Station and Rotherhithe Station (bus stands/stops) as an on-demand 8-seater minibus with 1 additional stop at Jamaica Road roundabout

Dave H

[telstarbox]

In the Dartford area - has anyone tried cycling the path along the south bank which goes under the Dartford Bridge?


(This bit - https://www.google.co.uk/maps/dir/51.4710164,0.2361047/51.4536006,0.274267/@51.459594,0.250849,14.96z/data=!4m2!4m1!3e1 )

NCN 125 runs north through Dartford and terminates on the river path which suggests it would lead somewhere...

[jiberjaber]

I think Tim Decker uses a route under the bridge for the FNRttC Whitstable ride, but I think it's a shared bus gate & cycle route....  just checking the last time I rode it (2016) it isnt the path you refer to... but they might use it now?

https://www.strava.com/activities/554261208

[Andrij]

In the Dartford area - has anyone tried cycling the path along the south bank which goes under the Dartford Bridge?


(This bit - https://www.google.co.uk/maps/dir/51.4710164,0.2361047/51.4536006,0.274267/@51.459594,0.250849,14.96z/data=!4m2!4m1!3e1 )

NCN 125 runs north through Dartford and terminates on the river path which suggests it would lead somewhere...

Rough, narrow, lots of tall grass on either side when I've ridden it.  But last time was a few years ago, so things may have changed.

[cygnet]

OS identifies it as a footpath.

Typical NCN signage on 125
https://goo.gl/maps/V3yCAGcwue72