Some eyes and ears appear to have popped open recently. We've had a fair slice of cake (well, meetings, and too many at that to recall here) and we've learnt this:
Heartened by last year's engagement and action on Brighton Grove, we've written to Newcastle's local politician responsible for cycling, Cllr Nigel Todd, and ask for action. We've outlined the following four achievable targets for completion by 31 March 2012:
1. Allow cycling on Northumberland Street and make a start with out-of-shopping hours, as highlighted by the Safe Cycling petition in 2010
2. Map cycle lanes and give them double-yellow-line status (no parking in cycle lanes), as suggested by our patron Prof Stephen Singleton
Simply meet at Haymarket at 17:30 when we'll cycle over to the festival venue Star & Shadow.
We are planning a political panel discussion for Friday night!
Attendance (alphabetical order):
- Green Party: yes, name TBC
- Labour: Cllr Nigel Todd
- Liberal Democrats: attendance unclear to date, TBC
Date: 3 July 2011 12:34
Subject: Transport & Environment - cycling update
Hi Nigel
Further to the Brighton Grove email, a ward matter, and it's the perfect example: as you know it’s not all rosy in the world of transport at the council especially with respect to cycling.
Overall, we would like to see a council that does what it says it would do.
Date: 7 June 2011 08:50
Subject: Re: Equality Trust events
Hi Nigel
Many thanks for the notification of this talk. We will be there! It's great to be on your mailing list.
Let me just shamelessly plug a report along the theme of "equality in our transport system". You may have heard of the recent report "Fairness in a Car Dependent Society" by the Sustainable Development Commission. Full report here http://www.sd-commission.org.uk/publications.php?id=1184
Following the election, we contacted Newcastle's new leader Cllr Nick Forbes with some suggestions.
= = = = = =
From: Newcastle Cycling Campaign Newcycling
Date: 25 May 2011 19:50
Subject: An open letter to the new Leader of the Council
To: forbes
Cc: todd, murison
Dear Cllr Nick Forbes
Congratulations to your recent appointment. We at the Newcastle Cycling Campaign are really looking forward to working with your administration.
