Transforming Cities Fund - Leigh Road Cycleway EqIA

Age 

Positive 

The scheme will provide a traffic free cycle route along Leigh Road / Wimborne Road West.    

Some sections of the route will be on a shared footway / cycleway which can increase the potential for conflict between pedestrians and cyclists, potentially causing issues for some older people who may have restricted mobility or are partially sighted.

However, site visits have shown several cyclists are currently using the pavements along Leigh Road to avoid using the carriageway. Evidenced on Google Street View which has captured an image of a cyclist on the pavement. The provision of the cycleway as planned will provide significant benefits over the current situation, particularly for older people.

It should also be noted that the footway improvements and crossings will considerably improve accessibility in the local area. Particularly for older people and families with young children who may find issues with crossing roads in gaps in traffic

Age bracket affected 

n/a

65+ (Positive) Families with Children (Positive)

Disability:

(including physical, mental, sensory and progressive conditions)

Positive 

The proposed improvements will improve accessibility for those with physical and some learning disabilities.

The implementation of new footways and cycleways along the road will improve accessibility by avoiding the need to cross the road unnecessarily. 

The implementation of the new crossing points will significantly improve accessibility for people with disabilities by providing safe places to cross the road.

Improvement to surface quality, footway widths and providing continual footways along the length of the road is likely to have a positive effect on people with disabilities. Particularly, those who utilise wheelchairs and mobility scoters.

There may be some negative impacts on the shared footway/cycleway sections for blind and partially sighted people along with people for whom the perception of space is an issue. However, cyclists have been observed illegally using the footway along Leigh Road / Wimborne Road West. Therefore, the implementation of the proposals with clear signing and lining will significantly improve the situation in this respect. 

Gender Reassignment & Gender Identity

Race and Ethnicity

Sexual orientation

Marriage or civil partnership

Armed Forces communities :

Neutral

This proposal is not expected to have any specific impacts on members of this protected characteristic group

Pregnancy and maternity

Positive

Implementation of new crossing points and improvements to surface quality, footway widths and providing continual footways along the length of the road is likely to have a positive effect on pregnancy and maternity. Particularly, pregnant persons trying to cross the road and people pushing buggies and pushchairs

Religion or belief:

Positive 

There is a Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses located on Leigh Road. These proposals will improve walking and cycling access to the Kingdom Hall. While the hall is not currently in use due to COVID restrictions. Care will be taken during construction to ensure access is maintained for meetings which take place on a Thursday evening and Sunday daytime

Sex (consider both men and women):

Positive 

Sustrans research shows that women tend to feel less safe when cycling on the road.  Providing a well lit, off-road cycle route adjacent to the carriageway may therefore benefit this particular group and potentially increase the number of cyclists in the area.

Carers:

Positive

The implementation of new footways and cycleways along the road will improve accessibility and help to avoid the need to cross the road unnecessarily.

The implementation of the new crossing points will significantly improve accessibility for people with disabilities by providing safe places to cross the road.

Both of these could have a positive impact on carers and who they care for.  

As previously mentioned, the shared footway/cycleway sections increase the potential conflict between pedestrian and cyclists which could impact on carers. However, cyclists are currently using the existing narrow footways on the road. The proposals will significantly improve the current situation in this regard

Rural isolation

Neutral 

Due to the location of the scheme within a suburban area, this proposal is not expected to have any specific impacts on members of this protected characteristic group.

Single parent families:

Positive 

Providing a safe off-road cycle facility and improved facilities for pedestrians at side roads and crossings will positively impact on all families. This scheme will improve sustainable transport access to by the way field which is a popular destination for families. The scheme will also improve access to Tops Day Nurseries which will positively impact families. 

Social & economic deprivation:

Positive 

This route section directly serves an area of deprivation within Wimborne and links to employment in Ferndown and the BCP geographical area.  This will provide a direct route for lower paid workers to employment and opportunity, for example apprenticeships, at Ferndown Industrial Estate.

Conflict between pedestrians and cyclists on shared footway / cycleways

Scheme to be monitored post implementation to establish impact on conflict between pedestrians and cyclists.

Joseph Rose

October 2022 – 1-year post implementation

Access to Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses during construction.

Access to all properties will be maintained during construction with limited restrictions during construction of access points. It is important that access is maintained for meetings when COVID restrictions are lifted. Stakeholders will be kept informed during construction with ongoing updates and active management of traffic management measures

Joseph Rose / Owen Lister / Hanson Contracting

October 2021 – construction completion.