Walker SCR – Newcastle Cycling Campaign

News clipping – Anti-cycling claims denied by councillors

6th September 2014 NewCycling Press

BIKE campaigners have lashed out at ‘anti-cycling’ councillors in Newcastle’s East End. They say the wards have let down the city’s cycling community by failing to support safer cycling schemes. But councillors hit back,saying they were not elected to support the sometimes ‘ludicrous’ schemes of ‘special interest groups’. For almost a year, the city’s Newcycling group has lobbied all Newcastle City Council members to support the nationwide Space for Cycling safer riding campaign, calling for cycle-friendly transport planning and design across all authorities. At least one councillor in 23 of Newcastle’s 26 wards have backed the initiative – which supports[…]

Councillors in deprived Newcastle ward depress cycling future

3rd September 2014 NewCycling Uncategorized

Cycling advocates are left wondering what’s going on in Newcastle’s East end. Councillors there are leaving a gaping hole in the otherwise overwhelming support for Space for Cycling. Newcycling joined the nation-wide Space for Cycling campaign last year and since then has worked diligently through members’ action and using social media to gain political support for the cause. Their success is outstanding. Forty-seven out of Newcastle’s 78 Councillors have said yes to Space for Cycling, putting Newcastle in the lead countrywide. Katja, chair of Newcycling, says “It is fantastic, and hopeful for a fair transport future in Newcastle, to note[…]

Ouseburn DIY Streets – our comment

1st September 2014 NewCycling Consultation replies

Newcycling is Newcastle’s cycling campaign. We are a constituted community group with 1,400 members, holding decision-makers to account over their policies to create conditions that enable cycling for everyone by building seven Strategic Cycle Routes into the city centre and an accompanying network of neighbourhood streets prioritising walking and cycling in the city’s transport system. We welcome the plans for the Ouseburn [PDF 12Mb]. We believe they are a first, and firm, step towards a more people-oriented environment and atmosphere in the Ouseburn. Of course, much more physical change is needed in the long-run when we have to continue, and[…]

Political support mapped

26th July 2014 Katja Uncategorized

LATEST WARD MAP WILL BE POSTED HERE No doubt you remember Space for Cycling and our Big Toon Ride, so after all that… we thought we better give you a quick update. We previously reported via a press release that we did fantastically well nationally – Newcastle showing the highest support rate outside London. But how does it look locally, on ward level? We have crunched the numbers for you and here’s a quick visualisation too. At the time of writing (last updated 8 August 2014), we have 40 Councillors in support for Space for Cycling. This is 51% of[…]

SCR Infra Safari – SCR7 Walker

16th April 2014 Katja Uncategorized

We are cycling the Strategic Cycle Routes (SCRs). This year’s dates are listed below. All dates have been set for Saturdays, and we hope you can join us. We will meet at Civic Centre, Ceremonial Way, at 10:00am. Each tour should not take longer than three hours. Join us for all or parts of it, or meet us afterwards for a coffee. Please email us newcastle.cycling.campaign@gmail.com if you are coming so that we get an idea about numbers before the ride. 14 June – SCR 4 – Gosforth 12 July – SCR 1 – Newburn 9 August – SCR 6[…]

Mystery mounts on Walker’s bike lane controversy

15th September 2013 NewCycling Uncategorized

After safety concerns were raised, an independent report re-assures adequacy of Welbeck Road cycle lanes. This emerges after the scheme has been shelved for an altogether different reason: cycle lanes would compromise vehicle flow. In December 2012 Walker was offered significant external funding to improve Welbeck Road environment for school children, residents walking and cycling. The £180,000 were sadly lost due to warring local councillors. (Reported in Chronicle here). Following council protocol, the scheme was referred to an appeal’s hearing where the decision was made to check over the cycle safety of the scheme. The independent safety audit, dating April[…]

Our position on Welbeck Road

18th August 2013 Katja Uncategorized

We do not think the council decision (letter attached) addresses the original problems and it indeed even invents new concerns. There appear to be two aspects the Newcastle City Council tries to explain and solve but fails to provide backup or supporting data for these. We remain convinced there is sufficient space for cycle lanes; and it is a much safer option to provide these given the speed, volume and composition of motorised traffic than the alternative: not do anything at all – totally regardless of whether this stretch is earmarked as a Strategic Cycle Route or not. Please feel[…]

Reader’s letters – Walker Strategic Cycle Route

10th February 2013 Katja Uncategorized

Date: 10 February 2013 To: ncjmedia Response to Cllrs Wood and Stokel-Walker, Walker ward Response to http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/north-east-news/evening-chronicle-news/2013/02/04/campaigners-angry-at-loss-of-funds-for-cycle-scheme-72703-32741738/ The over-reaction by Walker Councillors could have very distressing repercussions for Newcastle and its reputation. We have to learn quickly and move on to a brighter and more enlightened future. It is a big shame that these Councillors failed to understand the concept of the Strategic Cycle Routes and what is proposed for Welbeck Road. What the Councillors also failed to see is that all our road space is very contested and that some prioritisation decisions have to be made. Walker Road is[…]

News clippings – Campaigners angry at loss of funds for cycle scheme

4th February 2013 NewCycling Press

Chronicle clipping (4 February 2013) Campaigners angry at loss of funds for cycle scheme http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/communities/byker/2013/02/04/campaigners-angry-at-loss-of-funds-for-cycle-scheme-72703-32741738/

Walker Welbeck Road – formal consulation response

1st February 2013 NewCycling Consultation replies

From: Newcastle Cycling Campaign Date: 1 February 2013 Subject: “Welbeck Road Area – Proposed Cycle Lanes and Prohibition of Waiting”, ref GH/P44/951 To: traffic.notices@newcastle.gov.uk Cc: Cllrs Todd, Murison, CTC, Sustrans Dear all WELBECK ROAD Following our email dated 16 December 2012, we, as an organisation representing 715 members, re-iterate our SUPPORT for the proposals to improve cycling conditions – and indeed public realm in general – along the Welbeck corridor in Walker. All our points stated in this previous reply remain. We would like to stress that all features including the mandatory bicycle lanes are road safety improvements that will[…]