Aims of the policy or strategy
To enhance the quality and safety of the existing cycle lanes on Dorchester Road between Manor Roundabout and Wey Valley School. The desired outcome would be to enable more journeys currently made by private car or other motorised means to be more easily made by bike on Dorchester Road, in particular pupils attending Wey Valley School from areas to the south west, particularly Southill and Westham.
Ancillary benefits would also accrue to residents on the road accessing employment and services by bike.
Additional housing developments are in the planning for up to 500 dwellings off Dorchester Road, for which this would serve as one of the main means of access by bike.
Background to the proposal
Cycle lanes without physical separation from motor traffic provide limited benefit to feeling of safety. While they may be acceptable to some a small proportion of adults, they are not considered acceptable for children and many adults do not find that they provide the necessary sense of safety, particularly where speed or volumes of traffic are high. Recent guidance from the Department for Transport does not recommend the use of cycle lanes where volumes of traffic exceed 4,500 vehicles per day, as is the case in this location.
Intelligence and Communication
Data, information, evidence and research used and how it has influenced the decision-making process
Input from the Dorset Safe Streets consultation portal and analysis of Dorset population demographics.
This data told us that
Research conducted amongst adults (n = 1,958) found that only 8% agreed that it would be suitable for children aged 12 to cycle on busy roads, and 6% felt it was suitable for a child of 8 to cycle with an adult in those conditions. These figures rose to 42% and 33% for a painted cycle lane (currently in place) but were much higher still for a degree of separation from motor traffic, such as that proposed, with 69% agreeing that 12 year olds could use this safely, and 61% agreeing that accompanied 8 year olds would be suitable
Further information required to inform the proposal
Further information is needed to determine the impact of the proposals on some users the specific needs of which cannot be determined from consultation hitherto conducted.
Engagement with the residents is currently underway (9 Nov) and closes on 30 November: Have Your Say Today – Protected Cycle Lanes On Dorchester Road (Redlands) – Commonplace
Engagement or consultation that has taken place as part of this EqIA
Online consultation conducted in summer 2020 (Dorset Safe Streets), invited Dorset residents to register issues of concerns with provision for walking and cycling in their areas. Many users also self-reported age, gender and disability status, which allows some EqIA elements to be identified.
Assessment
Impacts of the policy or strategy
| Who or what is affected? | Effect | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Age |
Positive |
Stronger separation from motor traffic is likely to be of benefit to more vulnerable people cycling, particularly children and older people (see above). |
|
Disability: |
Positive |
As with above, separation from motor traffic is likely to be of benefit to more vulnerable people cycling, including those choosing to use cycles as a mobility aid. Providing a safer on-road space for people cycling will also reduce the likelihood that people will cycle illegally on the footway, which is known to be a source of conflict and concern to people, including disabled people |
|
This affects the following groups |
n/a |
People with a range of physical, sensory and learning disabilities |
|
Gender Reassignment & Gender Identity Pregnancy and maternity: Race and Ethnicity Religion or belief Sexual orientation: Marriage or civil partnership Carers: Single parent families: Poverty (social & economic deprivation): Military families/veterans |
Neutral |
No impact identified |
|
Sex: |
Positive |
Women are under-represented currently amongst the cycling population. Some research attributes this to the lack of safe, separate infrastructure for cycling. Providing a greater degree of segregation may therefore be of particular benefit to enable women to cycle more, gaining the benefits of active travel and improving access to services, employment and education, as well as for recreation. |
|
Rural isolation |
Unclear |
Villages to the north and west of Weymouth, such as Upwey and Nottington, will benefit from an improvement to part of the cycle route they use to access parts of Weymouth |
Key to effects or impacts
Positive - the proposal eliminates discrimination, advances equality of opportunity and/or fosters good relations with protected groups.
Negative - protected characteristic group(s) could be disadvantaged or discriminated against
Neutral - no change/ no assessed significant impact of protected characteristic groups
Negative - protected characteristic group(s) could be disadvantaged or discriminated against
People who have agreed the EqIA
Name Chris Peck
Date 20 May 2021
Equality Lead Becky Forrester
Date 10 November 2021