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NOTES ON HFCYCLISTS MEETING,
Present: John Griffiths, Louanne Tranchell, Chris Tranchell, Bill Ogden, Alex Forrest, Sarah Shubinsky, Alan Rowden, Andy Weeks, John Gilbert, Sue Mullins. Apologies: Councillors Stephen Burke Charlie Boyle, Paul Alexander, John Ryan, Pat Tookey, Mark Alderton, Jane Knight, Simon Franklin, Chris Bainbridge, HAPPY NEW YEAR. It is good of everyone to have come out in the cold. Andy Weeks brought a bottle of fine wine and there were some more wine and other refreshments. SOME ETHICAL ISSUES Our group, hfcyclists, gets some money from the LCC to run ourselves. Again our name should not be used without suitable authority, or to lend credibility to some other concern. We would like to start having more group cohesiveness. Last year a project on cycle lanes petered out after someone said that the copyright in the project belonged to him because it included a shot of a cycling policeman. Lets hope we can achieve things with more group spirit. THE AUDIT COMMISSION THE COUNCIL MEETING OF 18 DECEMBER 2002. The provision for cyclists
in the Borough.. This Council supports efforts made thus far to develop an acceptable environment for cyclists, but however notes that the overall provision is still far from adequate. This was amended by the Administration [Labour councillors] to the following, which was passed. This Council supports efforts made thus far to develop an acceptable environment for cyclists and reaffirms its commitment to developing a continued programme of improvements. Louanne gave a summary of the discussion. The Administration praised all that was good in the borough and better than in neighbouring conservative boroughs. WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE? John Griffiths reported that as a follow up he had sent an email to Councillors Mike Cartwright and Dame Sally Powell. This noted that the overall provision is still far from adequate. It was critical of the commitment of senior officers to cycling. The email expressed a hope that we would be able to get this across to the Executive. [It is believed that this email may lead to a meeting with certain officers.] John also said that a meeting may be arranged with Roger Khanna. This was suggested at a meeting with Cllrs Charlie Boyle and Greg Hands [15 Dec 2002], a few days before Charlie Boyle's address on 18 December. [I had suggested at this meeting that Roger de Freitas should also come along to any meeting with RK as it might make things smoother.] There was a general view that the Conservative Councillors were using John Griffiths as a political pawn. It was pointed out that voting in the Borough was close. Greg Hands is expected to stand against Ian Coleman in the next General election. Alan Rowden suggested that I should not act alone in any way on behalf of hfcyclists without the consent of the meeting, and anything that I did should be reported to the meeting. I pointed out that I was acting as chair or co-ordinator. [The expected meeting with Charlie Boyle [15 Dec] was mentioned in the notes of hfcyclists' last meeting. Also things are going on outside meetings. It would be good to have a core of other members active outside meetings.] I also pointed out that I have recently contacted Labour Councillors. Huw Davies came along to our AGM, but only to observe. Stephen Burke has said he will help us. Dominic Church is hoping to arrange a meeting. Many Labour Councillors spoke out praising the Council's record at the council meeting of 18 Dec. Louanne said that at any meeting with senior Council Officers one should not go alone, and someone should take notes of the meeting. That is good. Louanne also said that we should have some idea of what to say at a meeting, some agreed purpose. [We also need to be up on what the Council's duties are, as given in transport plans and the UDP. And what the significance of these is.] We discussed where power lay. Bill suggested that the MP Ian Coleman was the most significant person. Although he is an MP and not a councillor, he has a close connection to the Council, and is married to Sally Powell. An Executive, comprising the leader, Andrew Slaughter, and the Deputies runs the Council. The meeting decided that we should produce a motion coming from the group as a whole. This was composed and approved unanimously. It reads "Motion from the Meeting of hfyclists 7 January 2003 hfyclists welcome the motion that was passed with the amendment at the full Council Meeting of LBHF on 18 December 2002. We are glad to hear that LBHF reaffirms its commitment to develop a continued programme of improvements. As part of this we urge that there should be an immediate instruction to complete the LBHF Cycling Strategy. As representatives of hfcyclists, and in line with Best Value Partnership, we expect to be consulted on all the issues that affect cycling in this borough. This applies to highway planning and to strategies to increase cycling and make it safer, especially for school children and for the Council staff." John Griffiths will send this to members of the Executive and some Councillors, and his local MP CUT AND PASTE HAMMERSMITH BRIDGE The dangers of cycling over the bridge on the roadway were discussed. Andy Weeks said that he felt really threatened on it. He said that there should also be a safe North to South route through the Broadway. Alex Forrest [LBHF Transportation
Policy team] has produced an internal report looking at improvements for
cyclists on the bridge and the northern approaches. These proposals include
[details received after meeting] CYCLING STRATEGY Other things from Alex. Some minor schemes should be implemented before the end of this financial year, in addition to LCN schemes. These include improving the cycle route through Bishops Park, a number of dropped kerbs and cycle lane / symbols, and additional cycle parking, particularly in Fulham Palace road and at stations to ameliorate the use of stands by OYbike. OYBIKE BOROUGH PARTNERSHIP COUNCIL BIKE ALLOWANCE INVOLVEMENT NEW CYCLE PARKING SYSTEM LCC MAGAZINE ARTICLE.
Any questions need to be submitted by 17 January. The topics to be covered are accessibility, information, reliability, personal security. John Griffiths has entered a submission on behalf of hfcyclists asking 1 INFORMATION 2 RELIABILITY If you want to submit something
further please contact John as below. EXPENSES NEXT MEETING is on Tuesday 4 February 2003. PUT in your new diary NOW.
John Griffiths
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