metDecember06

NOTES OF HFCYCLISTS MEETING
Tuesday 5 December 2006 , 7.15pm for 7.30pm in the Info Centre

PRESENT:
John Griffiths, Brian Assiter, Mike Griffin, Susie Gretz, Mihali, Mo Morgan.

APOLOGIES:
Stephen Burke, Rik Andrew, Jonathan Gurney, Andy Ellard, Gwen Cook, Louanne Tranchell, Chris Tranchell, Kath Cochrane.

HOW TO EFFECT CHANGE ON CYCLE LANES
At our last meeting when Graeme Swinburne was present there was a clear wish on our part to have cycle lanes both better policed, and to change the regulations if possible to make them clearways during peak times at least. The discussion on the subject tonight was difficult as Mike held the view .that all cyclists should be registered before any further money was spent on dealing with cycle lanes, and Brian held the view that cyclists should just fend for themselves. Detailed discussion in such a forum was difficult and we decided to leave it to a further meeting.

Meanwhile if there is a Liaison Meeting with Chris Bainbridge John will discuss there the best way to introduce possible changes in regulations and policing.

I suggest that people who might be interested contact me so we can produce a map of the regulations and places on important cycle routes where loading is allowed during peak hours. And places where the present regulations are regularly ignored.

UPDATE ON CRIMS [part of CRISP studies]
Cycle Route Inspection Meetings, which are part of the Cycle Route Implementation Stakeholder Plan studies..

Recently there has been two Pre-CRIM meetings with the consultants Opus International, Council Officers, and other parties. John along with Gwen Cook went to the one on the Shepherds Bush rd to Scrubs lane. John also went to the one New Kings rd, Wandsworth Bridge rd, Stephendale rd / Townmead rd. The consultants were excellent in their preparations for these meetings, which were held indoors.

On the day of the present meeting John went on the Scrubs lane CRIM ride. Gwen intended going but was ill. The ride was very useful.

Some things we looked at / I brought up. Going south from the Harrow rd:

Near 49, 51 Scrubs lane there is a very narrow point just after a corner after the first railway bridge. I suggested removing car parking spaces or narrowing the pavement. [Dion Hallett LBHF advised that it would not be possible to remove parking spaces].

Eynham rd, I suggested making the northern part possible for cyclists to go northbound legally.

Ducane road junction. Going south Scrubs Lane narrows and the cycle lane gets squeezed as you approach Nascot rd. Possible things that could be done are move the centre line of the roadway over a bit, and possibly grab space from the pavement on the west side of the road.

West way: The green marking between lanes going south, there is a bus stop that causes left turning traffic to be on a cyclists right, with vehicles then crossing across the path of cyclist.

SBG. The new path is being constructed. I noticed that it goes straight through the waiting / landing area of the pedestrian crossing, and does not veer to avoid that area as was suggested at the site visit. I believe that the paths have also been made narrower than originally suggested. The toilet block is unlikely to be dealt with inside a year, or even 18 months perhaps. This is what the LCN+ has described as excellent.

Brook Green: Pinch point going north west near the school. Suggestion of replacing it with a speed table.

[The next day John went on a CRIM looking at some routes in the south of the borough. We particularly looked at the:
Toucan crossing near Gonville street.
Junction Putney bridge approach / New Kings rd [make 2 lanes instead of 3 lanes going north at traffic lights?]
Junction Munster rd / New Kings rd
Junction Wandsworth Bridge rd / New Kings rd [put in cycle bypass on wide pavement going east?]
Junction Harwood rd / New Kings rd [cycle waiting area in front of non-turning traffic, accessed from left lane when moving, going east?]
Junction Wandsworth Bridge rd / Townsmead rd [horrible -put in pedestrian phase ?]
Townsmead rd [recommended over Stephendale rd as the LCN+ route]

WEST LONDON GREEN FESTIVAL
The present position is that John will apply for a joint application with the council for use of Furnival Gardens for Sunday 17 June. This is in bike week and does not clash with the Wandle Valley Festival.

Brian had suggestions for a punk band that his grandson played in and Mo had many organisational suggestions.

We will be putting a group together to organise the event. If you wish to be involved please let John know.

RIDES
Traditional Xmas lunch ride - We'll be meeting up at the White Cross pub in Richmond with riders from many other local LCC groups
Our ride will leave at 11 am from Furnival Gardens. This is the green space along the riverside near Hammersmith Bridge. Between the Blue Anchor /Rrutland and the Dove. We aim to be in the pub by 12 to make sure we get the seats we need

Please let John know if you expect to come along.
020 7371 1290 / 07789 095 748, john@truefeelings.com.

EXPENSES
John had expenses of £10.44 + £10.76 = £21.20 for tonight's refreshments

DATE OF NEXT MEETING

Normally first Tuesday of month. This will fall on Tuesday 2nd January. At the moment not sure if many people will be able to make it, so will confirm date nearer time. But please put in pencil in diary now.

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