Cycling infrastructure upgrade in ʼs-Hertogenbosch

enas

I'm posting this in Commuting & Transport for a change, since it seems to better match people's interest than in the cycling forum.

I just wanted to share a nice post about an upgrade in ʼs-Hertogenbosch, Netherlands:

link

I find this relevant because: (1) the old design was quite crappy, and one that looks much more similar to what we're used to here (although it would be considered very good here) (2) it kills the "lack of space" argument, which is even more interesting since the old design reminds so much of many places in Ireland.

bk

Of course, as it usual, the city took the opportunity to replace the sewer pipes while the street was re-constructed.

Usual in the Netherlands, would be considered "magical" thinking here in Ireland!

Also note that the footpath uses pre-fabricated "tiles" for it's surfaces. All pipes and other utilities are placed in the sand beneath these tiles. That means if future repairs need to be made, the tiles can easily been taken up, repairs made and the tiles then put back in place, thus avoiding the tarmac and pothole mess we end up with here in Ireland.

TheBandicoot

Would that work in our climate?

monument

TheBandicoot wrote: »

Would that work in our climate?

What?

TheBandicoot

monument wrote: »

What?

The burying the utilities in sand thing.

bk

TheBandicoot wrote: »

The burying the utilities in sand thing.

Ireland has the same climate as the Netherlands (actually they get a little more rain fall and they get snow).

TheBandicoot

Fair enough. Should really be done here then.

galwaycyclist

This is the key line from the blog.

All the existing main roads were reclassified and Sint Teunislaan, designed and built as an important arterial road, was now to be downgraded: it should only be a neighbourhood access street. It was no longer to be used by motor traffic that had to move from one part of the city to the other, but only by traffic that needs access to the area itself.

The understanding that a main road might only be used for access would be alien to many in Irish political and road engineering circles. What kills the lack of space argument is the idea that space should be used for purposes other than facilitating cars. This idea is heresy in many circles in Irish town and traffic planning where the primary objective, bordering on an obsession, is to provide for cars by whatever means available.

L1011

bk wrote: »

Also note that the footpath uses pre-fabricated "tiles" for it's surfaces. All pipes and other utilities are placed in the sand beneath these tiles. That means if future repairs need to be made, the tiles can easily been taken up, repairs made and the tiles then put back in place, thus avoiding the tarmac and pothole mess we end up with here in Ireland.

I know of Dutch people who hate the tile/brick pavements with a passion they'd usually only reserve for football. Far superior maintainability results in worse surface in many cases.