Present: Don Anyiam, Anthony Austin, Ray Suomi, David Senior, Liz Delap, Rushton Aust.
Mayor's ride.
DA: The contractor has to open the path before the first unit is occupied and this was expected to be February 2006. However they now say that it will be open for the 26th March. The council cannot guarantee this as they have not yet taken over the path, but they are expecting to have access on 24th March to ensure that it is safe for the Mayor's ride.
No planning application for phase 2 for the site has yet been made, but it should not lead to another closure of the path. A temporary (tarmac?) surface could be provided, still leaving the path open. However there are Health and Safety concerns on a site where heavy lifting and building is taking place.
RS: This could be overcome by building a roof over the path or closing the path at night. There are plenty of sites in London where footways are roofed.
DA has agreed to ask Mark Page (council) to notify Greenwich cyclists when any planning application is put in so that they can comment and attend the meeting.
Olympic cycle routes.
RS explained the role of LD, himself and the LCC Olympic committee, especially on road routes. Are there any criteria for road routes?
RA: We need to improve on links between existing cycleways. eg East Greenwich to the peninsular. Greenwich Cyclists have a lot of local knowledge which should be invaluable.
DA: Council is working with TfL and Sustrans but would welcome Greenwich cyclists (GC) input on recommended road routes. Will liaise and keep GC informed.
The council has stated an aim to reach 20-25% of Olympic traffic to be cyclists and would like to see good provision for cycle parking on venues.
LD: GC were disappointed not to have been invited to the Council stakeholders' meeting in February. Would like to be involved at early stages of planning.
Green corridors
LD asked if Council was aware of TfL Green Cycle Corridor Programme bid invitation?
DA : Yes, it is. He will find out from those councillors who are responsible for the bids and inform GC.
Royal Naval College path
DA: Delays have arisen because original costing (£150000) has increased to £253000 due to upgrade requirements imposed by the Greenwich Foundation trust board. This funding is now secured, but legal agreement about how it should be paid is still pending. Funding has to be spent by March 2007. DA could not give estimate of when path might be completed.
Path around the Dome
GC asked DA for assurance that the path outside the Dome and in the surrounding area would remain open during construction work in preparation for 2012 Olympics.
DA: All the surrounding roads and the river path remain under the control of English Partnerships because of security concerns. The Council is therefore unable to guarantee anything, but DA saw no reason why they should not remain open.
Tunnel lifts.
RS expressed concerns about the continual closure of all lifts and the irregular and unpredictable late opening and early closing of Woolwich tunnel lifts in particular. Proposed the installation of wheel channels for stairs – one for upward movement and one for down.
DS: What do the lift operators do when the lifts are closed? Why can't they help with carrying buggies and bikes up and down the stairs?
RA: Current lifts may be completely inadequate for the increase in traffic for 2012
DA: Council wanted to replace lifts but had difficulty in obtaining replicas. Has tried to repair and refurbish instead, but now trying again for replacements.
Will carry out feasibility study for installing wheel channels, but doubts if the inner radius would take a second channel. If not, priority should be given to up-going bikes.
Will also make enquiries about Woolwich lift issues.
David Beckham academy
GC asked why there is no cycle parking at the site. Had it been included in planning permission? If not, why not?
DA showed plans with cycle parking for 22 bikes on site. He did not know if any had been installed, but would check this.
A2 CRISP over Blackheath
There is extensive discussion about this and DA has been involved in CRISP meetings. It was decided that no further discussion was needed in this meeting.
QEH cycle access and parking and pedestrian access.
RA: All this is poor. If it could be improved, together with bus access the number of car journeys to the hospital should decrease. It gives the wrong message if a hospital makes better provision for smokers than for bike parking near the main entrance.
DA: A bike path had been under discussion in the past, but has fallen off the agenda. He will have to open discussions with the QEH trust, but will do so. Input from GC is welcomed concerning the best provision. This should be kept as a regular agenda item
Next meeting
AA asked if it could be a full meeting with other Councillors. DA agreed to ask for this. Wednesday 17 May was proposed. DA commented that as this is very soon after local elections he is unable to agree this for certain, but he will put the date forward.