Notes of meeting 8 January 2003
Present: 16 attending – see attendance sheet.
Notes Action by
1. Introductions
Introductions and welcome to all new members.
2. Note of previous meeting
Agreed.
3. Pedal Power
No January edition as the Jan meeting delayed. Items will be carried forward for Feb edition. Kate
4. Cycling Strategy and LCN+
We’ve received a second, much more positive response to our Cycling Strategy from Councillor Brooks. It says that our strategy will be considered as part of the Local Implementation Plan (which, it says, will take 9 months to complete and won’t start until April 2003 at the earliest!) But, Cllr Brooks also says that the officers will meet with us in the new year: "to discuss your policy and how it might be integrated into Council thinking. They would also welcome your input into the bid and spending plan process for next year". It also suggests that the Council’s failure to spend the money allocated to it this year for the LCN+ is not mismanagement since the money will be recycled.
It was resolved to write to thank Cllr Brooks for this positive reply and push for an early meeting. The letter will point out, in the nicest possible way, that the point about there being no waste of public funds is flatly contradicted in the report produced by the administrators of the LCN+ money. Nick
Nick, Julian, and Chris had also met to work on our priorities for the LCN+. The routes suggested aim to link up population centres with the City/West End and Canary Wharf. One, runs East to West from Plumstead to Creek Bridge, the second from Lewisham to Cutty Sark Gardens (in consultation with Lewisham) and the third is proposed from Eltham to Lee High Road, then either on into Lewisham or right up Lee Road, across Blackheath to the Cutty Sark.
Agreed that we would try to get these routes on the website, somehow, and that the sub-group might ride the routes to assess viability. We might also look at the partially off-road route following the Rochester Way. Our strategy at this stage is simply to agree our desire lines and then concentrate on persuading the council to approach these routes as a whole – rather than as piecemeal as at present. Solutions to be sought for each individual junction and section, rather than providing a stock approach for each. A future Pedal Power distribution/cycle count might also be organised on these routes to assess the current level of use. Nick, Julian, Chris, Anthony
5. Thames Path & Sustrans
Groundwork (an environmental charity) has a list of all the landowners along the Thames Path which saves us a lot of effort. Rushton is convening a sub-group to consider improvements to the route and straightening out some of the 90 degree turns. Sustrans will take it from there, negotiating leases on the necessary land etc. Rushton
6. Green Chain Management Plan
Anthony has drafted a response to the Green Chain Management plan for 2003-2008. There’s no mention of cycling in the document in spite of the fact it includes some cycle paths and despite the potential for increasing use of the parks through cycling (and vice-versa).
Agreed that Barry will draft a response based on Anthony’s note. Barry
7. Greenwich Community Network (GCN)
We’ve been invited to nominate someone to join the GCN, which is a sub-group of the Greenwich Partnership Board. The Board will be an important body shaping the future of the borough and administers funding from the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund. Election process is a bid obscure, but it is an important body.
Agreed to nominate Jason Joyce. Jason
8. Planning issues
The Greenwich Peninsula.
Consultation period – 6 weeks in total – now underway, ends in February. Members are encouraged to see the exhibition and attend the meetings. Barry will bring more information to the next meeting and we will discuss it, before responding. Barry
9. Rides
Easy going rides, Liz is leading February ride, Peter the March ride. Liz/Peter
Publicity needed. Hilary and Liz to liaise with Kate and provide info to Karen who will design and print posters. Liz, Hilary, Kate, Karen.
They will need help with distribution all
Jason will look at organising a ride heading south Jason
Barbara will also look at organising a repeat of her Wandle River ride Barbara
Cliffe Ride, 18 January, may have to be cancelled. No trains and emergency velodrome meeting. All note
10. Finances
Ceilidh made £200 profit, balance therefore approx. £1200. £180 bill for Crazee bikes still outstanding. Karen
11. Any Other Business
Barry is changing jobs. Therefore, "please excuse a possible blip in service".