metMar08

NOTES OF HFCYCLISTS MEETING
Wednesday 5 March 2008, 7.15pm for 7.30pm

At 122c Edith rd, West Kensington, W14 9AP [home of John Griffiths, corner of Edith road and North End rd. There is cycle parking outside in the street.]

PRESENT: John Griffiths, Susie Gretz, Phil Lamond, Paul Saunderson, Julie Askins, Sophie Gisbert, Amanda Carter, Fabienne Pol.

APOLOGIES: Belinda Shattock, Cllr Eugenie White, Stephen Burke, Chintan Makwana, Gerry Berridge.

WESTFIELD / SBG

Recent activities on our part include letters to the Chronicle and Gazette, a petition and a question at the full Council meeting. Details of these can be found on our website.
see under WESTFIELD RECENT DOCUMENTS at
http://www.hfcyclists.org.uk/SBGopen.htm

At the Council meeting on 27 April, in answer to a question, Cllr Nick Botterill referred to an internal meeting planned for 11 March where some of our questions may be resolved. John will write to Cllr Nick Botterill thanking him for this response.

Chris Bainbridge of LBHF has explained that at the meeting on 11 March Cllr Nick Botterill [Deputy Leader and Cabinet member for the Environment], Cllr Eugenie White [ Chair of Cleaner and Greener Scrutiny Committee] and Cllr Lucy Ivimy [Chair of Planning Committee] will meet with representatives of Westfield, buses and others concerned. Hopefully the Councillors will be challenging the position, as presented by Westfield, and seemingly accepted by LBHF Highways, that conditions for pedestrians and cyclists cannot be greatly improved from the present plan.

We are fortunate that the principle decision-makers have taken such an interest in these matters.

This is a vast improvement from the position a few months ago. Then a LBHF Highways officer was in the position of being able to accept the Westfield plans on the delegated authority from Councillors / Planning Committee. Now if Councillors are not happy with what Westfield finally comes up with, they can refer the Westfield Cycling Strategy and Planning Condition No 2 [concerning cycling] back to the Planning Committee. There is some pressure from Westfield to open for trading before Christmas 2008, and the transport infrastructure, including cycling, has to be agreed and operating before they open.

HOW WE CAMPAIGN

The situation with Westfield negotiations is complex and delicate.

LBHF and TfL are pressing for cyclists to be able cycle though the concourse between the rebuilt Central line station and the bus stops area. Westfield is strongly against this. The Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) officer at LBHF and groups representing the blind are not in favour of cyclists cycling through areas used by pedestrians.

What is happening on the highway area is that the priority given to cars and buses means that pedestrians and cyclists have to share very limited space on a Toucan crossing. We would like more space given on this crossing to ease any problems. By highlighting this as a problem we have to be careful to avoid the position which ends up with cyclists being banned from the crossing.

SHEPHERDS BUSH STATION USER GROUP.

There is a meeting of this group at 7.30pm this Friday 7 March pm at the SHEPHERD'S BUSH VILLAGE HALL, 58 BULWER STREET W12 - Entrance to the hall is from Wood Lane, about 50m north of the Green.

This protest against the closure of the Shepherds Bush Station and associated Westfield problems is organised by the MP for area Andrew Slaughter MP. [I have just noticed cycling on Holland Park roundabout is on the agenda. ]

Julie and Susie will go along and raise our concerns, based on our article in the local papers. We should be seen to be campaigning against Westfield's Transport policy, and not against Westfield itself. Transport Policies should be in line with the many guidelines available.

APPROACHING TfL, REPRESENTING HFCYCLISTS / LCC

One of our group wanted to find out if one of the 12 cycling superhighways that Ken has announced went through SBG. The message written to TfL via a TFL website included

"Also, I live in Hammersmith and as a cyclist, will be adversely affected by the Westfield Plans, but when we (local LCC group) have tried to discuss the transport issues with the TfL we should take it up with the local council, despite the fact that our endless communication with the council has so far proved fruitless."

John considered it inappropriate to discuss ongoing negotiations in this way with TfL.

When campaigning, one should not claim to represent hfcyclists or the LCC unless authorised to so.

OUR AIMS

After a recent exchange of emails between members of the Management Committee we decided that we should look at our aims.

Discussion centred on promoting ourselves more.

John gave out some leaflets that can be handed out to cyclists. The idea is that you would carry some on you, and if you had the chance to talk to a cyclist, walking a bike, in a store etc, you could mention the local campaign and give them the leaflet.
download from http://www.hfcyclists.org.uk/leaflet.doc

Julie suggested having a stand somewhere occasionally. Perhaps some of us could be present at the Dr Bike event next week. A good place to approach cyclists is beside the river near Hammersmith Bridge or in Furnivall gardens at the week end.

Paul said that our website could be improved, and mentioned the Enfield cyclists' site. Mark Fossick and Phil are looking at revising our site and have set up a meeting to discuss it. A newsletter could be produced in conjunction with news on the website

Paul suggested using stickers that could be attached to freebie puncture repair kits we might give out, [or cycling maps?]

So far our ability to influence LBHF has been limited. One success is that cars are now ticketed for parking on a cycle track over Wandsworth Bridge, and the track is now clear on car auction nights.

Things we could campaign for that might be winnable are
A 20mph speed limit on Hammersmith bridge, as this would also prolong the life of the bridge according to the engineer involved.

Changing parking/loading restrictions next to cycle lanes during peak hours. This would also increase general vehicle flow where it would permit 2 lanes of traffic to flow rather than 1.

Campaigning to reduce the problems of congestion and pollution from Westfield traffic. Sophie suggested trying to get it included in the Congestion Zone, but this would not be a disincentive to drivers coming from Kensington, Chelsea etc. John would prefer a toll on the car-park. This might also benefit Westfield, as congestion / gridlock from too many vehicles trying to get in at the same time would limit the number of visitors being able to use the car park each day.

Perhaps MC members might wish to refine how they see our aims.

OUR MEETINGS / CHAIRING / PLACE / REFRESHMENTS

Recently people have questioned these matters.

Concerning place to meet, people at the meeting were happy with meeting in members houses. It was decided that the next meeting would be at the flat of Susie Gretz.

Paul Saunderson suggested the Plough and Harrow on King street for any larger meeting, where a space can be booked for free. Paul Alexander in an email had suggested a meeting room in a house next to a church on Rylston rd, which would cost a small amount.

The question of how much money we spend on refreshments has been raised. Normally this is in the range of £15 to £20 / meeting. This comes from annual funds of about £250 that we get from LCC, and is based on the size of the membership of LCC in the area. As a way of making meetings a pleasure to come to, and as some people come straight from work, we considered this a reasonable way to spend these funds. It does not stop spending money on other things as we have some reserves. Julie hoped that we would get fair-trade wine. Susie will get the refreshments for the next meeting.
[We were grateful for the truffles and biscuits brought along tonight]

On chairing, John explained that he likes to chair a meeting as a socially pleasant event, with brainstorming, and dealing with business matters. This does not please everyone, particularly Amanda. Sophie pointed out that the GREENFEST meetings that John chairs work very well. At the next meeting Susie will chair the meeting.

CRIME SUMMIT / CYCLING DROPPED?

On Saturday 8th March 2008 a Crime Summit is being held at the Town Hall in King Street. People can simply turn up on the day, but if possible it is a good idea to book. Lunch will be provided. see www.lbhf.gov.uk/crimesummit

"In 2007/08 your local Safer Neighbourhood Team have targeted drug dealing and use, theft from motor vehicles and theft of pedal cycles. From April, we have agreed with local community representatives that we will again target drug dealing and use and theft from motor vehicles, but also target anti-social behaviour predominantly caused by beggars and drunken persons."

It appears as if cycle theft has been dropped from the agenda. Paul may go the meeting. John will write to the SNT and a police inspector hoping to get cycle theft reinstalled as a concern.

DR BIKE

There will be a Dr Bike event in Lyric Square, King street, Wednesday March 12 11.30am to 2.30pm. [also on April 16.]..
See what they might do for your bike at http://hammersmithlondon.org/Dr_Bike.html

Courtesy Hammersmith Business Improvement District
http://www.hammersmithlondon.co.uk/

RIDES, EVENTS, ETC?

On the Saturday [29 March] after Easter John will be having a barbecue at 4pm beside the river to watch the boat race. Please contact as below if you would like to come along.

EXPENSES
John had expenses tonight for refreshments - £17.01

DATE / PLACE FOR NEXT MEETING
Tuesday April 1, 7.15pm for 7.30pm
At the home of Susie Gretz
4a Eynham rd, W12 0HA
020 8749 1969
GrSusan5[at]aol.com

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