Rake Lane / Billy Mill Lane roundabout

Introduction

North Tyneside Council secured nearly £1.6 million from the Government’s Active Travel Fund (ATF), which supports local authorities to improve cycling and walking facilities along key commuter routes.

The public was invited to take part in a six-week online consultation exercise in summer 2021. This included a scheme focused on sustainable travel improvements on the A191 New York Bypass and Rake Lane.

This scheme involved installing a 2km segregated cycle route and creating segregated provision for cycling and walking at the Rake Lane/Billy Mill Lane junction.

The speed limit was also permanently reduced to 30mph on Rake Lane and 40mph on the New York Bypass to make it safer for cyclists and pedestrians.

This encourages active and sustainable forms of travel and helps to work towards being carbon net zero by 2030.

 

Scheme overview

  • We installed segregated provision for cycling at the Rake Lane/Billy Mill Lane roundabout.
  • A new 2km segregated route was created between Norham Road, in New York, and Foxhunters.
  • This was achieved by installing a combination of pedestrian crossings, cycle crossings and raised tables in various locations between Norham Road and Foxhunters roundabout.
  • Orcas (small rubber dividers at ground level) were also installed at various locations to clearly indicate where a cycle lane is to road users.

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Contact us

For queries, contact a member of the council's major projects team on (0191) 643 6500, or sustainabletravel@northtyneside.gov.uk

FAQs

What is the aim of the scheme?

The scheme’s primary focus is to support and encourage cycling and walking as active and healthy ways to travel for local journeys. It will also improve journey times for cycling, e.g. to work, and hence encourage more people to consider cycling as an alternative to car travel. It will help to maintain and sustain the substantial growth in cycling in North Tyneside.  

Who does it benefit?

Due to its location, this scheme will be key in enabling and encouraging everyday cycling and walking to centres of employment, such as Cobalt Business Park and North Tyneside General Hospital. Currently many car journeys are over short distances and by supporting these journeys to switch to cycling or walking, it will have wider benefits for all road users.

How is the scheme being funded?

The scheme is being funded with specific external funding secured from the Active Travel Fund – Tranche 2. This fund aims specifically to encourage opportunities for everyday cycling and walking.

How will the redesigned roundabout work?

Vehicles in the carriageway are required to give way to cyclists and pedestrians when entering the roundabout and again when exiting the roundabout. Cyclists within the segregated cycle lane on the roundabout should follow the direction of the traffic on the circulatory.

Why is the centre of the Rake Lane/Billy Mill Lane roundabout not being reduced to increase road space?

The purpose of the scheme is to improve opportunities for cycling and walking. The large scale of the roundabout is advantageous, as it improves visibility and allows extra time for drivers to react to cyclists approaching the crossings at the roundabout’s arms. The reallocation of the road space will also improve safety for cyclists at the junction, specifically the crossings (in line with national guidance). There will only be one lane of traffic approaching the crossings, instead of two.

How will the scheme tie into existing infrastructure?

The newly installed cycling provision will support journeys to local destinations such as Cobalt Business Park, Whitley Bay and coast. The new provision will link to existing off-road infrastructure, allowing people cycling or walking to go off-road round Foxhunters junction then rejoin local roads or shared use paths.

How will safety be improved when the on-road cycle lanes are installed?

On Rake Lane and the New York Bypass, wands (flexible, highly visible plastic bollards) and orcas (small rubber dividers at ground level) will provide segregated space for people cycling on the road.

The speed limits on both the New York bypass and Rake Lane will be permanently reduced. The bypass will be reduced from 60mph to 40mph, while Rake Lane will be reduced from 40 to 30mph.

How will the safety of the scheme be assessed once operational?

As part of the Road Safety Audit process associated with the design and implementation of highway projects, following completion of the scheme, further independent road safety audits will be undertaken. In line with standard practice, these audits will review the operation of the scheme and identify any issues and subsequent improvement measures if appropriate.