Councils hit back at cycling critics
(No link - so article has been replicated below)
COUNCIL chiefs have it back at claims that they are not doing enough to support two-wheeled travel on Tyneside.
Chairman [sic.] of the Newcastle Cycling Campaign, Katja Leyendeker, claimed that while the city is "making the right noises" about encouraing more pople to convert to pedal power, so far there had been lttle to show for it.
After years of talk, frustrated cyclists want to know how serious Newcastle really is about creating safe conditions for everyone to cycle. There are good signs but bad ones too. What is Newcastle City Council doing to become a City Fit for Cycling?
Today we sent our support to Newcastle City Council vying for £5.6m for the City with seven other Core Cities. By doing so we have joined a host of illustrious supporters ranging from politicians, businesses to groups and organisations. The bid would financially cover the first two years of Newcastle's 10-year Cycle Plan. The money would be welcome to realise Newcastle's bold ambition to make our City Fit for Cycling and it would mean that £10 per person could be spent on cycling infrastructure - which is in line with expenditure of European cycling 'starter countries'.
Speakers will include Alan Morgan on the past history of Acorn Road and Sarah Cawrse on the plans for development of this fine sub-urban district shopping street. Come along. And help spread the word, flyer attached below.
We are part of the Acorn Road planning group. So here's an update from Jesmond where views and ideas have been exchanged and a plan starts to take form:
Since June 2012, a community group constituted of local residents, campaigning groups, traders and local City Councillors has been meeting to look at ways of improving Acorn Road which is the hub of Jesmond’s social and economic life both as a shopping street and a place to meet.
Newcastle does not appear to have the same openness and clarity of mind that Birmingham has recently demonstrated. At the city's peril, Newcastle risks to hold back progress for safer cycling and walking. Our city has of course its 10-year cycle strategy. But just how the ambitious target of 20% of all short journeys to be done by bike by 2022 (a tenfold increase on current levels) is to materialise, is a question to be asked especially in the light of council's approach to Fenham Hall Drive.
Subject: Fwd: Regulatory and Appeals Sub Committee Hearing re Fenham Hall Drive - Proposed Cycle Lane
To: traffic.notices@newcastle.gov.uk
Cc: Cllrs Stockdale, Pearson, Risk, Ali, McCarty, Todd + Sustrans, CTC
Thanks for your email and the various attachments. We will not be able to make the appointment. As a group of volunteers, most of us are in full-time employment so that 13:00 is not a feasible time for us to attend meetings. Please allow us the following observation.
Council yesterday announced that the removal of a pinchpoint on Heaton Road, that saw the death of a cyclist in late 2011, is now underway.
We've been asking Newcastle City Council, the highway authority, to act since the tragic incident happened.
Immediately after the fatal incident, we wrote to all nine councillors (there are three adjoining wards), yet they were unable to speed up any investigation or help shed light on proceedings or improve transparency.
Our local group 'Jesmond Safe Cycling' met with staff of West Jesmond Primary School to discuss the road environment along Tankerville Terrace, such as congestion during the "school run", inconsiderate car parking (school drop-offs) and intimidating cycling conditions. There is a clear and general concern over drop-off points, some of which has been highlighted in the BBC documentary http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-19867797.
