metAugust08
NOTES OF HFCYCLISTS MEETING
Tuesday 5 August 2008, 7.15pm for 7.30pm
At the home of Susie Gretz
4a Eynham Rd
W12 0HA [near the corner of North Pole rd]
PRESENT: Susie Gretz, John Griffiths, Melanie Miller, David Balding, Paul Alexander, Bill Ogden, Penny Stubbs, Julie Askins, Phil Lamond
APOLOGIES:
Stephen Burke, Paul Saunderson, Sophie Gisbert, David Marsh, Jon Coward,
Gerry Berridge.
We had the meeting in Susie's garden, which was very pleasant.
MAP OF PROBLEM PLACES
At the Greenfest Susie encouraged people to put red dots on a map showing
particular problem areas, and write the problems on cards.
see www.hfcyclists.org.uk/hfcyclistsProblemAreas2.jpg
It is noticeable that Hammersmith Bridge is covered in dots. This is because of the way the road narrows in places as you cross the bridge, which is very threatening when there is a bus or van bearing down on you. As there are also engineering concerns on this bridge, it is a good case for promoting a 20mph limit on the bridge. This may also prolong the life of this bridge. There is new camera technology to enable enforcing this, by measuring the time taken for a vehicle to travel between two points. John will contact the engineer involved to see how it can be carried forward.
At the meeting people brought up various places they found difficult. Penny found the southbound cycle lane on Wood Lane as you approach A40 difficult to access. This lane is between left-turning and straight-ahead traffic.
If you wish to add your spots of special concern to Susie's list, email her at susie@gretz.abelgratis.com
WESTFIELD:
This is expected to open on 30 October. There was an article about it
in the Guardian on Saturday, not very complimentary on the local environment
of Shepherds Bush Green. http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2008/aug/02/retail.highstreetretailers
On the 23 June 2008 John had sent an email to the Secretary of State for Transport concerning Westfield and Shepherds Bush Green. This included a pdf file I had recently sent to the LBHF planning department. A reply was received on 21 July 2008 from Gordon Rolfe of the London Transport division of the Department for Transport.
I was hoping that certain regulations stemming from the Strategic Road Network would apply in this case. However that is not so as the strategic road network for London is not the same as the Strategic Road Network.
see
http://www.hfcyclists.org.uk/WestfieldPlanningComments.pdf
http://www.hfcyclists.org.uk/DfTresponse.pdf
Bill had brought up our concerns at a recent Borough Partnership meeting.
Chris Bainbridge of LBHF had told Bill that our concerns would be addressed
in the Stage 3 Road Safety Audit that is being carried out.
John had spoken to Chris earlier today before the meeting and was told that the results of the audit were not yet in. One problem is that this audit may be considered as appropriate for snagging purposes, whereas our concerns are fundamental ones like lane widths and the width of crossings.
Chris had said that one of the concerns at the moment was that people representing the blind were against shared use of space by cyclists and pedestrians. Westfield / LBHF / TfL / hfcyclists have agreed to having shared space in some areas.
Bill will contact Chris Bainbridge on the day after our meeting to see how the outcome from the Borough Partnership meeting is being handled.
SKY SPORTS FREEWHEEL ON SEPTEMBER 21st.
Ravenscourt Park will be a hub. Rides will come in here and then set off again for Central London.
We could organise a ride from the hub to Central London, and then back later if we had marshals. Training would be available for marshals.
Julie, Susie, Phil, Paul said that they would be prepared to act as marshals. Penny said that she would be happy to be involved in a stall at Ravenscourt Park.
If others wish to be involved as marshals on this ride please let john know as soon a possible.
OUR RIDES, EVENTS, ETC?
People were keen to have a ride along the canal to Horsenden Hill in September, but no-one available to organise anything this month.
OTHER RIDES, EVENTS, ETC?
SATURDAY, 9th August 2008.
12-2pm
A short bike rally for Burma this Saturday, the 20th anniversary of the
1988 demonstrations, when 3,000 peaceful demonstrators including Buddhist
monks and schoolchildren lost their lives in a peaceful demonstration
for human rights and democracy. In St James' Park to raise awareness for
Burma and give moral support to the Burmese community in exile. Bring
a picnic to have after the finish in Hyde Park near Speakers' Corner.
Cyclists will ride through London, wearing red t-shirts with DON'T FORGET
BURMA printed on the back. There will be stalls at start and end point
with information desks and free 'don't forget Burma' t-shirt will be distributed
to participants.
From Queen Anne's Gate, St
James's Park to Speakers Corner, Hyde Park.
see http://www.burmapoliticalforum.org/
SUNDAY 10th August -
Next Kensington & Chelsea group ride - Five Greens Ride
A nice leisurely tour of parks, commons and open spaces in west London, including five greens, and a very large pub garden. Starts 10.30am at the café by the Elfin Oak, in Kensington Gardens. Finish around 3.00pm. Lunch stop is due to be at the Red Lion in Barnes At the south end of Castlenau, near the Wetlands Centre. All welcome!
Contact: Philip Loy / 07960
026450 / philip_loy@yahoo.co.uk
[for map of start location - http://tinyurl.com/59yolu ]
OTHER RIDES - see http://www.lcc.org.uk/index.asp?PageID=55
MOTOR CYCLES IN BUS LANES
TfL are seeking to carry out 3 year trials on allowing Powered Two Wheelers, P2W, motor bikes and scooters, to use bus lanes. LBHF are proposing having trials on the bus lanes of the Uxbridge road and of the Fulham Palace rd.
Paul is a keen motorcyclist as well as a cyclist and car driver. He explained that he has taken issue with the LCC position that motorbikes in bus lanes should not be promoted on the present evidence.
If you have any views on this you may send an email on the matter, and / or go to a meeting on the subject at Hammersmith Town Hall, The Playfair room, 9.30am on Wednesday 13 August. There will be lunch afterwards.
Please send any comments, and
indicate if you would like to go to the meeting, to
trafficdevelopment@lbhf.gov.uk
BY THIS FRIDAY 8 AUGUST
I received this information in a letter from William Howe, project manager
at LBHF
A somewhat inconclusive study
was carried out, see
www.tfl.gov.uk/assets/downloads/P2W-in-bus-lanes-study.pdf
SUMMER GARDEN PARTY
This went very well and we all give thanks to Roger de Freitas. We agreed to give Roger £100 to partially reimburse him for his expenses over the delightful and extravagant Summer Garden Party last month.
EXPENSES
Susie Gretz was issued with a cheque for £31.70 for tonight's refreshments.
DATE / PLACE OF NEXT MEETING
TUESDAY 2 September, 7.15 for
7.30pm
At the home of Phil Lamond and Sophie Gisbert
Flat 10 Hanover Court
Uxbridge rd, W12 9 EP
Notes by John Griffiths [chair
/ co-ordinator]
020 7371 1290 / 07789 095 748
john@truefeelings.com
OUR WEBSITE www.hfcyclists.org.uk