Blog

A packed agenda stimulated some lively discussion.

• Mike updated on the Greenwich and Woolwich footunnels, .  We will pursue with Newham Council the updating of the bye-laws – which include pilot schemes permitting cycling, but may need adjustment to accommodate non-standard cycles.
• Steve led discussion on rides.  The last ride of the year with the AAA children’s cycle club will take place on 3 November with (possibly) a  ride to the Fireworks later that evening, and a short Newham Ride with a heritage theme on 11 November.

  Steve is working on next year’s ride calendar.  The starting point will be this year’s rides, which have been successful in particular in attracting participants from outside Newham.    We are looking for a broad range of ride leaders and can arrange training through LCC.  If you have a ride you would be able to lead get in touch.

• We celebrated our campaigning award on Stratford Town Centre  (note, no longer a gyratory), particularly for Olawale who was not at the the LCC AGM to receive it.
  The scheme has rightly been recognised for its quality.  Some construction issues were highlighted and a further audit ride is planned.  In the longer term we need to remain alert on 20mph, conflicts with pedestrians, and rat running in the margins of the scheme.
• We are planning a audit ride for Quietway 22 (the Greenway), and discussed out continuing concerns with Quietway 6, across the north of the Borough which still under development  .
• We highlighted points to raise with Newham Council’s Sustainable Transport Officer (which will be posted separately following a meeting with him.)

• Finally :
  (a) Bike for Boleyn are holding a Quiz Night on 23 November at East ham Working Mens Club, 7.30pm.
  (b) Waltham Forest have expressed a desire to associate with our initiative on the QE Olympic Park – there being a meeting of the LLDC Sustainable Transport Group following July’s audit ride shortly.

Arnold

A substantial gathering of 13  eventually gathered to occupy a corner of the the Golden Fleece. Discussion was, as usual, lively and interesting.

• We started with a presentation by Michael Barratt, TfL’s Development Impact Assessment Manager, who has enormous expertise on alleviating the adverse impact of development works on walkers and cyclists.   He was seeking our assistance to apply a “3 Tier Assessment Works Assessment” process, the first tier involving cycling and walking,  the area of the proposed works with the contractor and determining the challenges (particularly for those with disabilities and adapted bikes) and the space available to meet them.  Tier 2 is to design alleviating measures.  Fort his purpose TfL’s Temporary Traffic Management Handbook (currently in draft) is very helpful. Tier 3 is feedback during works.

From the Newham perspective the major current works are at Stratford which is proceeding reasonably well.  Michael has assisted us recently in improving this and the more problematic  works at Bow Flyover on CS2.

The meeting was receptive to pursuing this for future significant works and we will pick up with our Newham Council contacts how to do this effectively.  Most roads in Newham are the borough’s responsibility (as opposed to TfL).

In the meantime any comments on the Stratford works can be sent to our contact e-mail for collation and submission to the responsible Newham Officer.

• Newham are consulting on a “liveable neighbourhood” scheme likely to form the borough’s bid for TfL funding – in the Freemason’s Rd area.  There is currently a high level consultation to which we will reply but as usual individual responses would be helpful.
• Richard will be taking forward, with an interested group, the idea of offering councillors bespoke rides with a walking /cycling perspective.
•  A proposed letter concerning the QE Olympic Park will be taken forward with LCC HQ and other interested boroughs being invited to participate.
• Newham Cyclists and Newham Living Streets will take forward a letter concerning the cost of parking permits, a draft of which was discussed.
• A busy October in prospect with an Fix your Ride stall on  13th, an Essex lanes Ride on 14th, Bike from Boleyn on 20th, and an AAA bike fixing stall on 27th.  Volunteers for stalls  always welcome and if you are interested and have not already volunteered please get in touch via the contact e-mail.

Arnold