I'm interested in Alasdair's comments on lorries and buses in Bedford Road. I've
thought it over and I still prefer the current width. Cyclists are mostly in the
left lane, heading for town. Lorries are mostly in the right, for Luton. Buses
mostly have to stop outside Christchurch, and so have limited time to squeeze
past. Therefore I see car overtaking widths as much more of an issue.

I haven't ridden Old Park Road since the changes mentioned by "db27182". I
normally move to the right side of the right lane from the Library roundabout,
because it's safer to exit the roundabout in the lane I want than to switch
across two lanes of traffic to bear right into Bedford Road towards town. Sounds
like that will be more difficult because I'll be trying to move in from the
right to get through the narrowing, which motorists won't expect.