metSeptember05

NOTES OF HFCYCLISTS MEETING
Tuesday 6 September 2005 , 7.30pm in the Info Centre

PRESENT: John Griffiths, Louanne Tranchell; Paul Alexander, Vernon Taylor, Jennifer Price, Andy Ellard.

APOLOGIES: Roger de Freitas, Bill Ogden, Chris Tranchell, Alan Rowden, Chris Bainbridge, Alex Forrest

NEW MEMBERS
It was good to meet Jennifer and Vernon. They explained that they would like to go on fairly gentle rides. They brought up the various joys and problems associated with cycling in these parts. They sparked off a general discussion of the joys of cycling hereabouts.

SHEPHERDS BUSH GREEN

John contacted a council officer involved in the CRISP [Cycle Route Stakeholder Implementation Plan] to find out what progress was being made. Surprised that the response was that they were waiting for responses to come in, when the deadline for responses to the Draft CRISP report was early August. Seems to be no urgency to advance things.

On the toilet block issue: Initially expected to be resolved late this year. Now hear they are awaiting the appointment of an architect for the Green, and the cost implications of dealing somehow with the substation inside the block. It would seem unlikely to be dealt with before the Council elections next year.

Surprised to find out that consultants are not involved with this CRISP at all, although the Draft CRISP report would perhaps imply that they are.

In the draft CRISP report, part 5 refers to the CRIM 18 January 2005. [Cycle route Inspection Meeting]
then in part 6, at s 6.1.1
"In order to overcome the problems outlined in part 5, various options have been devised to provide cycle facilities through the study area. The following five options were developed by the LCN+ consultants Colin Buchanan & Partners"

Reading that fairly carefully, one would assume that the "following five options" were included in the set of the "various options" previously mentioned.

Reading that very carefully, the five options in the second sentence need not be connected to the various options of the first sentence, or to this CRISP, in any way at all.

Misleading eh?

John has spoken to Kevin Weaver of Colin Buchanan & Partners to clarify the situation. Kevin said they supplied background material a couple of years ago, not meant to be treated as options in this CRISP to deal with issues raised at the CRIM.

John has spoken to several people at LCN+ hoping that a more effective process of stakeholder involvement and sense of co-operation will prevail. Hopefully any Councillors reading this might try to improve the way this is being handled by officers.

Stakeholders could be considered as free consultants that should be nurtured. This Council seems to consider them as a threat.

Vernon, who has a history of writing effectively to newspapers was very willing to publicise the unsatisfactory state of affairs. John suggested he hold off for a week or two to see if there might be any real progress.

Louanne was appalled at the low regard with which various officers seem to regard John, and us as stakeholders.

Louanne explained that if they had listened to the doubts raised by John and the rest of us when they embarked on their oybike venture, things may haveworked out differently.

John had raised doubts about the junction at wood lane/ Uxbridge rd , before the building work had actually begun. The proposed cycle lane led straight into the disused toilet. In retrospect it may have been cheaper and more expedient to slightly alter the design of the roadworks rather than deal with the problem they now have.

Louanne was shocked that the CRISP used an out of date plan. She may enquire with people she knows at the GIS dept why this is. [Geographical Information Systems or the like]

PEDAL POWER

A scheme organised by the Urban Partnership Group for recycling the stock of Oybikes. Perhaps 130 of them. And justifying spending any surplus Oybike funding.

see: http://society.guardian.co.uk/societyguardian/story/0,,1559073,00.html

Available to voluntary groups and small businesses. It costs £40 plus £10 membership, or it can be obtained for free by going to a couple of workshops. We wish it well.

some questions:

After Oybike, where there was a lot of publicity but little research into what was wanted, will this follow a similar route?

Will groups actually want a surplus Oybike, with its distinctive characteristics, as opposed to just getting a new bike. Paul said that you can get a new bike for only a little more than the cost of an oybike.

If people go for the free bikes and free workshops, paying only £10 membership, will it be self-sustaining without funding.

Will there be a supply of bikes for recycling. Although talking to the police and council, it is all birds in the bush stuff and the moment.

HOLES IN ROADS

Andy asked about holes in roads. The council is good at repairing problems when they have been told about them. Question if it is a trunk road. Our website has links for LBHF holes and also a link for holes elsewhere or in a trunk road.

http://www.hfcyclists.org.uk and "report a pothole" on the right hand side.

John keeps making a note that he should report the sunken drain by the bus stop opposite the hospital in fulham palace rd. But keeps forgetting when he gets he home. TRY TO REPORT A HOLE NEAR YOU.

GOOD GOING WEEK [17 to 25 September] and CAR FREE DAY [22 September]

List of events on www.lbhf.gov.uk and look for "good going" on right hand side.
At the meeting no one undertook to do anything at the Godolphin Rd event on Saturday 17th 12 to 4pm.
We may do something on cycling day Tuesday 20th or Car Free Day on Thursday 22nd. John away now until 14th. [A picnic on the flyover was suggested.]

RIDES AND GARDEN PARTIES
Alas the nights are drawing in and it has now become too late for a grand garden party this year. However thanks to Roger for attempting to find a date that would work at this late stage.

For people hoping that we will arrange a ride, we may organise an ad hoc ride one day when the weather looks good. If you want to lead one, or share leading one, please put your hand up. Meanwhile rides can be found on the Ealing site, Wandsworth site, and LCC central site.

http://www.lcc.org.uk/index.asp?PageID=145
http://www.ealingcycling.org.uk/index.htm
http://www.wandsworthcyclists.org.uk/events.shtml

FREE LECTUREs At The Royal Society

Measuring our Future: the role of Sustainability Metrics
Thursday 10 November 2005 at 6:30pm [good to get there early in case popular]
see http://www.royalsoc.ac.uk/landing.asp?id=4

ALSO

Monday 26 to Tuesday 27 September 2005
Major steps in cell evolution: evidence, timing and global impact

Monday 17 to Tuesday 18 October 2005
Evolution of the Antarctic ice sheet: new understanding and challenges

Wednesday 26 to Thursday 27 October 2005
Extreme natural hazards

EXPENSES
John had expenses of £11.20 for refreshments.

DATE FOR NEXT MEETING
Tuesday 4th October.

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