Rifford Road cycle route
Works to deliver a two-way cycle route along Rifford Road are to commence on Monday 11 March 2024 and will be completed by March 2025. The works affect the section of road between Honiton Road and Ludwell Lane.
During the works there will be two-way temporary traffic signals to manage traffic. The works will be carried out in approximately eight phases, each of 100 metre sections along the eastern side of Rifford Road.
Other works will include the installation of raised tables to lower vehicle speeds together with a cycle friendly zebra crossing and upgrades to the street lighting. The contractor working hours will be between 7.00am and 7.00pm, Monday to Friday.
The contractor for the works will be Mac Plant Construction.
Background to the scheme
A public consultation was held for the scheme between 21 March and 22 April 2022. Details of the consultation can be seen on Have Your Say Page.
You can also view an impact assessment for the scheme.
Following the public consultation, the scheme was approved by Devon County Council’s Cabinet in May 2023. The report to Cabinet can be accessed here.
Contact details
For construction related enquiries:
- By email: info@macplant-ltd.co.uk
- By telephone: 01288 362111
- By post: Mac Plant Construction Ltd, Middle Causewell Farm, Poundstock, Bude EX23 0DW
For general scheme enquiries:
- By email: highwaycommunityliaison@devon.gov.uk
- By telephone: 0345 155 1004
- By post: Transport Planning, Room 120, County Hall, Topsham Road, Exeter EX2 4QD
What changes are being made?
The scheme encompasses:
- construction of a 700m two-way cycle track on the eastern side of Rifford Road between Honiton Road and Ludwell Lane
- removal of the central hatched area of the road to maintain traffic lanes in both directions, whilst retaining on-street parking bays
- installation of a new formal crossing for pedestrians and cycles near the junction with Lethbridge Road
- upgrades to street lighting
Upon completion, two-way traffic flow will be maintained with a minimum carriageway width of 6m. This is wide enough to allow two HGVs to safely pass
When are the works taking place?
The layout of the planned work phases and approximate dates of construction are shown on a MAP here.
The works begin on Monday 11 March 2024 and will be completed by early March 2025.
The initial programme has eight phases being constructed as follows:
- Phase 1: Number 21 to Number 51 11 March – Late April
- Phase 2: Number 51 to the Substation Late April – Mid June
- Phase 3: Honiton Road to Number 21 Mid June – July
- Phase 4: The Substation to Number 83 July – September
- Phase 5: Number 83 to Number 93 September – October
- Phase 6: Number 93 to Number 125 November to December
- Phase 7: Number 125 to Number 171 December to January 2025
- Phase 8: Number 171 to Ludwell Lane January 2025 – February 2025
How will the works affect me?
The Rifford Road Cycle Route will provide a two-way cycle facility along the eastern side of Rifford Road, between the junctions with Honiton Road and Ludwell Lane. The route would fill in a ‘missing link’ between existing facilities on the North-South cycle route, helping connect residents to schools, shops, workplaces, parks and rail stations.
Along with the cycle track, new and improved pedestrian and crossing facilities will be delivered, both on Rifford Road and across side roads. These facilities will reflect recent changes to the Highway Code and help reduce vehicle speeds.
The scheme will be delivered by removing the hatched central area of Rifford Road to allow the traffic lane and the accompanying parking bays to be moved across the highway to facilitate installation of the cycle route. Two lanes of vehicular traffic will be retained on scheme completion.
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Traffic management
We will not be closing Rifford Road for traffic during the bulk of the works. There will be traffic management via two-way lights while we are working on each section.
There will be a requirement for some road closures to enable us to install the raised tables and undertake the carriageway resurfacing. The exact dates of these are to be finalised and will be communicated closer to the time.
These will be scheduled for off peak times such as evenings and weekends and emergency access will be maintained at all times.
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Car parking
Car parking will be suspended within each section where we are working. In areas where work is not currently being undertaken, car parking will be available as usual.
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Bus stops
Bus stops will be suspended within each section where we are working. In areas where work is not currently being undertaken, bus stops will be operational as usual.
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Pedestrian access
Pedestrian access to properties will be maintained throughout the works.
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How wide will the road be?
The design incorporates a 0.5m buffer strip between the carparking and the cycleway which reduces the risk associated with the conflict between cyclists and opening car doors.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the available road width (for two-way traffic) and is that sufficient for two large HGVs to pass each other?
The minimum road width will be 6m, which is based on advice given in the Manual for Streets 2. Due to the relatively straight nature of Rifford Road this 6m width is considered acceptable for two HGVs to pass.
- Will there be sufficient space to safely open a car door next to the cycle path?
The design incorporates a 0.5m buffer strip between the car parking and the cycleway which reduces the risk associated with the conflict between cyclists and opening car doors.
- How will people get to their cars safely crossing two cycle lanes for (loading/offloading)?
The cycleway is at the same level as the footway allowing for crossing to occur anywhere along the cycleway. Ample visibility allows everyone plenty of prior notice to assess whether it is safe to cross, and a buffer strip between the parking bays and cycleway provides refuge for pedestrians crossing to their cars.
- How will cars be prevented from parking on the cycle route?
Notwithstanding the private driveway access points (which will have no waiting restrictions), the cycle route is currently designed to be at the same level as the footway with a kerb separating the cycle route from the parking bays – parking on the cycle route would be illegal, the same as parking on a footway.
- Will provisions be made for delivery vehicles to be able to load or unload?
If no parking space is available, vehicles could stop on the carriageway as long as it doesn’t block through traffic or prevent vehicles from passing. Alternatively, additional parking spaces would need to be suspended to allow for loading or unloading.
- How will the scheme be constructed and how will traffic be managed?
It is proposed that the scheme will be constructed with a phased delivery, working down Rifford Road in sections of approximately 100m length. The impact on traffic will be managed, where necessary, by diversions and temporary traffic signals.
- How will parking be managed during construction?
Parking will be managed similarly to the traffic management – as part of the phased construction there will be some areas of parking closed off while others remain open.
Access to private driveways will be kept open wherever possible for the majority of the works. In the occasional short-term situation when this is not possible, the contractor will discuss and agree alternative provisions with the resident.