Transforming Cities Fund – S5-9 Ringwood Road Southern Section Cycleway equality impact assessment

Age

Positive

Scheme: The scheme will provide a traffic free cycle route along Ringwood Road, Ferndown.   

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 Ringwood Road to avoid using the carriageway. Evidenced on Google Street View which has captured an image of a cyclist on the footway. The increased width will reduce the risk of conflict.

The provision of the cycleway as planned will provide significant benefits over the current situation, particularly for older people as surface levels and crossing points will be flush reducing risk of trips.

The improvements at the Casterbridge junction will make crossing easier for pedestrians.

Scheme Communication: Due to the current pandemic, consultation to date has been virtual. Those without access to internet need to be included so that they can feed into the proposals. Scheme communication will conform to accessibility requirements so that those using assistive technology may read them.

Age bracket 

65+ and families with children

Not applicable.

Disability

(including physical, mental, sensory and progressive conditions)

Positive

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

Improvement to surface quality, path 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 scooters.

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 pedestrian flows are light, and the increased width will reduce the risk of conflict. Cyclists currently utilise the footway therefore this would be a betterment on the current situation.

During construction, care will be taken to maintain a clear accessible walking/wheeling route.

Scheme Communications: Due to the current pandemic, consultation to date has been virtual. Those without access to internet need to be included so that they can feed into the proposals. Scheme communication will conform to accessibility requirements so that those using assistive technology may read them.

Gender reassignment and gender identity

Race and ethnicity

Sexual orientation

Marriage or civil partnership

Rural isolation

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 church located on Ringwood Road/Ham Lane, Longham Reformed Church. These proposals will improve walking and cycling access to the church.

Care will be taken during construction to ensure access is maintained for services.

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 group and potentially increase the number of cyclists in the area.

Carers

Positive

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

Both 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 regardless of their status. The proposals will significantly improve the current situation in this regard.

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 Longham Community Pre-School from Ferndown which will positively impact families. 

Social & economic deprivation

Positive

Scheme: This route section links areas of deprivation 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.

Scheme Communications: Any communications will account for residents not having internet access offering alternative means of providing feedback.

Conflict between pedestrians and cyclists on shared footway / cycleways.

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

Helen Littler

October 2022 – 1-year post implementation

Access to Longham Reformed Church/ Longham Community Pre-School during construction.

Access to all properties will be maintained during construction with limited restrictions during construction of access points. Stakeholders will be kept informed during construction with ongoing updates and active management of traffic management measures.

Joseph Rose / Ernst Lilley / Dorset Highways

October 2021 – construction completion