metApril05

NOTES OF HFCYCLISTS MEETING
Tuesday 5 April 2005 , 7.30pm in the Info Centre

PRESENT: John Griffiths, Paul Alexander, John Smits, Alex Ingram, Alan Rowden, Louanne Tranchell.

APOLOGIES: Mo Morgan, Jonathan Gurney, John Gilbert, Bill Ogden, Chris Tranchell, Rob Cope

RIDES GOING OVER THE COMING WEEKS
See our list of upcoming rides at www.hfcyclists.org.uk/rides.htm

Sunday 10 April meet 1pm Furnivall Gardens, ride going to Richmond Park

Sunday 17 April meet 1pm Furnivall Gardens, photographic safari, probably going to Leg of mutton reservoir [along towpath in Barnes], Barnes Common and/or Richmond Park

Picnics both times. These rides are part of the H&F festival, and are suitable for all ages.

John Smits may lead a ride early in May. John G suggested a ride going to the Kingston Green Fair.

KING STREET
Alan who lives on/near King Street has been informed by letter that the King Street modifications are about to happen.

GATEWAYS
Paul brought up the problem with gateways. These are the raised pedestrian bits at the end of side streets where they meet a main road. The inclines are faced with granite cobbles. Paul finds this difficult for turning onto from the main road on a bike. It affects cyclists more than any other form of vehicle.

It was suggested that in some cases the cobbles have been covered in tarmac where there has been an accident. If this is really so - why put down cobbles in the first place? Why not cover all of them in tarmac before there is an incident?

POTHOLES
Discussion about potholes. Alan mentioned a bad one, or sunken manhole cover, in Shepherds Bush road, near the Palais. John G said that they need to be reported, then they are normally fixed fast. John S will looked at this one and will report it.

Louanne produced a pothole reporting form. Alex brought up the problem of the Council saying a lot of these things not our responsibility. Does this mean there is no point in reporting it to the Council, or that the Council will pass it on. Alex thought that this might put people off reporting manhole cover problems, say. Alex to write to council to get clarification, response.

Several suggestions as to how to encourage the reporting of potholes. John suggested Council workers such as road sweepers [manual or drivers] could be given an incentive to report.

GROUP RESPONSE TO THE DRAFT LIP - LOCAL IMPLEMENTATION PLAN
Our provisional response had been on the web, and after discussion tonight our final agreed response now on the web at www.hfcyclists.org.uk/lip.htm.

Alex thought the LIP very detailed, and pleased with our response. John G pointed out that what matters is the Performance Indicators, and our response had suggesting adding two concerned with keeping cycle lanes clear.

Alex suggested that when roadworks are being done and cycle lanes/paths are closed there should be warning and signing for alternative routes, as there is for routes for pedestrians and other vehicles.

John G added that Council workers such as traffic wardens or road sweepers could be given an incentive to report potholes.

John G has also added a further comment about the discrepancy between the citizens panel/ borough household survey and the census figures. The first gives 10% cycling to work, the latter less than 5%.

Thanks to Rob Cope who has pointed out that according to the Strategic Environmental Assessment, LBHF needs to have regard to the objectives set out in the other mayoral strategies.

These points are included in our group response.

The draft LIP come in two flavours, the printed one and the web version. The web version has added a Strategic Environmental Assessment section, not in the printed version. Neither version includes the targets and performance indicators and action points of the cycling strategy.

The Council's draft LIP at http://tinyurl.com/6rdkd or
http://www.lbhf.gov.uk/council_services/environment/lip_2005/lip_contents.htm

Our response at www.hfcyclists.org.uk/lip.htm

Anyone wishing to make their own personal response to the strategy, please do so.

WHAT IS HAPPENING AT SBG - FEEDER LANE / TOILET BLOCK
John G spoke on the phone today to Colin Glendenning of LBHF, the engineer dealing with the SBG project.
Q: Will the feeder lane as you turn right into Uxbridge road be moved from the right to the left?
A: Probably
Q: What is happening about the toilet block that is in the way of the cycle crossing?
A: This is being dealt with as part of works to the Green and a possible cycle lane on the Green going towards Holland Park roundabout. The works for the junction are mostly finished. This means that the situation will not be sorted until perhaps 9 to 12 months time.

In the event of casualties to pedestrians or cyclists in this area, will the Council be liable?

Alan suggested having the photo of the crossing leading straight into the toilet block as a cover for the LCC magazine.

Images of these two problems at
http://www.hfcyclists.org.uk/SBGnw.htm

HUSTINGS

HF Friends of the Earth are organising a hustings with electoral candidates at the info centre on the evening of Tuesday 19 April. Contact Paula@hffoe.org.uk for details.

PROMOTING OURSELVES
Lots of suggestions, but needs someone to do them. We are lacking in having any leaflets in bike shops, or posters up. John G will do something about this. Pointed out that being on the river path and giving out maps and collecting emails very useful.

As part of the H&F Festival there is a community spirit event this Saturday, 9 April- 11am to 4pm, Kings Mall. Louanne will be there part of the time, John G will give her cycle maps. Others welcome.

WEST LONDON GREEN FESTIVAL 19 JUNE 1-5pm
This is coming along well. Contact John G if you wish to be involved.

EXPENSES
John G had expenses of £12.43 for refreshments.

DATE FOR NEXT MEETING
Tuesday 3 May, at 7.30pm in the Info Centre. PUT IN DIARY NOW PLEASE

John Griffiths [chair / co-ordinator]
020 7371 1290 / 07789 095 748
john@truefeelings.com
OUR WEBSITE www.hfcyclists.org.uk