metDec03

MEETING of hfcyclists

TUESDAY, 2 December 2003, 7.30pm in the info centre

Present: John Griffiths, Jane Knight, Wendy Matthews, Wolfgang, Alan Rowden, Mo Morgan,

Apologies: Mark Alderton, Bill Ogden, Alex Forrest, Simon Franklin. Chris Bainbridge, Louanne Tranchell, Chris Tranchell,

GENERAL ROUND UP OF THE YEAR

Jane thought we had had a good year with the West London Green Festival and improved relations with the Council.

John said that there was not much to be negative about at the moment, as consultants are meant to be looking at Shepherds Bush Green / Holland Park roundabout, Hammersmith gyratory and Hammersmith Bridge.

Let us see how that pans out.

We considered that all the office building in the area will only add to the traffic woes. VivaCity, the new media village by the new BBC cube, will be online shortly. Apparently the Ark has been unlet for the last couple of years. [thinks, how does Tesco Metro get its goods in?]

PLANNED NEW TEMPORARY BUS STATION

Louanne had left out some plans for us to look at. This covered the NW corner of the main Hammersmith Gyratory island, once the home of the Emerald centre.

Mo was concerned about the complex bus movements at the Northern entrance / exit into Hammersmith rd. also worried about traffic snarl ups when buses left to go into Butterwick. Mo suggested separate arrival and departure zones. The departure zone needs more waiting room and cover, the arrival zone is just a drop off place.

Mo was also concerned that with a split bus station people would find it difficult to find where they should be. Jane pointed out that this should not be a problem with adequate signing.

John was concerned that the plans showed the building extending beyond the building line of the rest of the Broadway complex. The pavement narrows where an advertising sign is presently fenced off. John had asked about this tongue of land about a year ago, and had the answer from the Council that there would be no building beyond the general building line.

John thought it important that this land should be reserved and be available for a future cycle track. Also in the future it might be desirable to move the course of the Hammersmith rd southwards a bit, to give more pedestrian space on the pavement to the North.

Alan pointed out that the plans should not make things worse for cyclists.

John will contact the planning people pointing out the concerns of cyclists.

BROOK GREEN HOME ZONE

Louanne is possibly on the working committee. James Joughin, a local resident [whom the Council have leapt upon for constructing a small cycle shed in his front garden] has put his name forward to be our representative on the working party, if they will have him.

Mo was critical of the possible chaos during the construction period. Jane said that the Brackenbury home zone worked well. Jane hoped that there would be cycle training available for the schools in the area. John thought that a cyclist's perspective should be fed into to the proposals for width restrictors and speed cushions.

BARONS COURT RD ONE-WAY SYSTEM

Mo was unhappy about it. She said the scheme increases the speed of cars when the traffic level is low. And when it is congested it is more congested than before. John said that for cyclists it might be better, as the 2-way traffic in Barons Court rd meant that you used to have to cycle on the pavement to get through.

INCREASED PRESENCE

We do not have the in depth depth of some other groups like FoE. We should promote ourselves more by having leaflets and posters in cycle shops etc, notices in various listings etc.

EXPENSES

John G had expenses of
£10.96 for tonight's refreshments

NEXT MEETING

We discussed having alternate meetings on Sunday afternoons, tea, or a ride and a picnic in the warmer lighter months [several people cannot make Tuesday evening]. Also suggestion of guest person for evening meetings to add a bit of sparkle. At the moment not sure about date or style of next meeting.

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