The cycle path from Oxlease roundabout to Bishops Rise in Hatfield has now been completed, bar some snagging works. Photos below show the route starting on Bishops Rise as if cycling from the Hill Top shops.
Bishops Rise looking north
This shows the short section of the new route outside the Halls of Residence complex. Coming north from the Hill Top area this enables a cyclist to turn left onto the cycle path and then avoid the roundabout (in the background entirely). Coming the other way, it’s not so helpful as you have to cross Bishops Rise, although the speed cushions help slow traffic.
Bishops Rise looking south
This is the same location looking the other way, showing how a rider heading in this direction has to cross the road.
Bishops Rise roundabout
We’ve now cycled left to right across this photo and then crossed over to the west (top) end of Woods Ave. Is also appears possible to cross the top of Bishops Rise here, but no signs yet to make this clear. You can see the new tactile paving which suggests this may be acceptable, but there is no such paving over Bishops Rise in the background. Perhaps the signs have yet to be installed? It would be easier when heading south to cross onto the end of Woods Ave and then on road, rather than follow the route round to the end of the route noted above.
Chantry Lane
Heading down Woods Ave to Oxlease we cross Chantry Lane. This is a short cul-de-sac and really should have a raised pavement across it with priority for pedestrians and cyclists. It would also remind drivers they are entering a quiet side road and should slow down.
Sycamore Ave
Same logic applies here as Sycamore Ave is a cul-de-sac too. The fences are around spare tiles awaiting collection. One issue in this section is a lack of exits from the cycle path to the roads on the other side of Woods Ave.
Drives left unresurfaced
Rather curiously, at the Oxlease end of the route are several drives where the cycle path surfacing stops. One can only assumes the driveway is owned by the house owner, not the council.
Oxlease looking west
And finally looking back the way we have come from the Oxlease roundabout at the short segregated path section around the trees.
So it’s now possible to cycle from the Halls of Residence to Hatfield town centre entirely off road and to the station with a fairly minimal section of on road riding.