1. Welcome & Introductions
Anthony Austin, Andy Braben, Liz Delap, Myles Dove, Sarah Ellis, Teri Griffiths, Barbara Henley, Derek Mark, and David Senior.
Apologies from Stephen Craven, Julian Dobson and Stuart Parkins.
2. Minutes of Last Meeting.
Approved
3. Matters Arising
a. Westminster Estate, Missing Link.
No further progress.
b. Lovell's Wharf
Anthony reported that a number of containers had appeared on the site as if work was now beginning in earnest. However, the diversion off the riverside was not as bad as had first been thought.
c. Old Royal Naval College.
The new cycle path looked no more complete now that it had the time of last month's meeting when opening had been announced for late September. It was suggested Don Anyiam be e-mailed for an update. Action – Anthony.
d. Greenwich Park.
Another meeting with the Park Manager was due but it was felt that for the moment we had nothing new to ask him. It was suggested that he be contacted to ask if he had any response to the issues raised at the previous meeting. If he did have anything to report then a meeting could be arranged. Action – Liz
There had recently been a thread on the e-list concerning cyclists being stopped at the Maze Hill Gate for riding on the short section there which is not marked as a cycle path. A short discussion ensued but it was felt that this was an individual matter and the group could take no further action.
Concerning the fatality in the Park earlier this year it was not known whether the investigation was yet complete. Anthony had asked the police but so far got no response.
e. Hexagon Housing.
Andy had received an e-mail via the website from a resident confirming they wanted to walls to stay to stop vandalism and keep their locality peaceful. Myles Dove distributed copies of the most recent issue of Westcombe News which had published two letters in support of the walls and also a short article concerning the CRISP. Steve Merryfield (Greenwich Chief Planning Officer) had said in an e-mail he believes there is a right of way and the Transport Planning Officer for Greenwich said at the time of the construction that there was a right of way. At the planning meeting in October 2006 there was a suggestion that the path be separated from the houses as a way to keep everybody happy. It was agreed that Anthony should write to the Council suggesting a further meeting with Greenwich Cyclists as a follow up to the meeting held on 29 August and to ask at that meeting if there had been any progress. Action – Anthony
f. Marks and Spencer, Blackheath Standard – Bike Parking.
Sheffield stands had now been put in the car park at Marks & Spencer, Blackheath Standard and it was felt to be a successful outcome. Although the stands were too close to a litter bin and also the trolley park, it was felt we had achieved our aim. People present who live locally confirmed they would keep an eye open to see how well the stands were used.
g. Greenwich Town Centre Bike Parking.
Nothing further to report.
h. Greenwich and Woolwich Foot Tunnels.
No rumble strips had yet been placed in the Woolwich Tunnel. Teri will check if see if any are placed there and keep the group informed.
i. Beresford Square.
Nothing further to report.
4. Planning Issues
a. Greenwich Market.
Consultation by Greenwich Hospital 5-6 October. Although not felt to be directly cycling-related a number of people said they intended to view the exhibition and would check that the proposals were bike-friendly.
b. Hexagon Estate
Covered in Matters Arising.
c. Marks and Spencer Bike Parking.
Covered in Matters Arising.
d. Royal Park Meeting.
Covered in Matters Arising.
e.Greenwich Reach East/Creekside Bridge
Greenwich Council had said in the past they want a bridge over Deptford Creek where it meets the Thames to create a continuous path along the river from Greenwich to Deptford and beyond. However, the newspaper advertisements for the Greenwich Reach East development mentioned "a gated community" which would suggest no public access to the riverfront. The construction of a bridge was not believed to be a planning condition and the site was now owned by a different company to the one which originally set up a competition to design a bridge to go over the Creek. It was felt that this part of the Thames Path had not been discussed in CRISP terms and it was questioned whether Sustrans had a position on this. It was suggested it would be worth looking at the Galliard Homes (the developer) website to see if it was made any clearer if there were plans for a bridge. It was also suggested that this matter be raised in the letter mentioned in 3(e) above which Anthony will write to Greenwich Council. Action – Anthony.
f. Near Miss in Creek Road
It was reported that a cyclist (not someone who was active within Greenwich Cyclists) had been involved in a near miss in Creek Road when he had been cycling in the bus/cycle lane and a car had turned in front of him, across the bus/cycle lane, to enter the petrol station. He had been in touch with the Council who had quoted the Order which allows cars to cross such lanes in such a way to gain access to petrol stations etc. It was felt that such incidents are unfortunately likely to happen but there is little that planning laws can do about it. No action.
5. Feedback from Recent Events
a. Car Free Day, Greenwich, 22 September.
Although Greenwich Cyclists had been offered a stall this had not been forthcoming until the week before the event when it had already been decided to support FreeWheel and was too late to get anything organised properly. It was reported Car-Free Day had been supported by the usual organisations and had the usual attractions.
b. Hovis Freewheel
Generally it was thought that the FreeWheel event had been a success. About 80 people left Cutty Sark Gardens at 10.45 am on the ride led by Tom Crispin and Liz Delap. Thanks were given to those two people for organising the riverside route which the many children on the ride found suitable for their ability. It was believed that approximately 50 people had left Cutty Sark Gardens at 9.45 am on an LCC led ride. Everyone who took part was encouraged to complete the feedback form. Comments to consider for the next time included making the central circuit longer, closing the roads for the rides from the hubs and having more hubs.
6. Rides
Andy reported that all rides were now on the website and that there were rides for most Saturdays and Sunday up until the end of October. He had attended the rides meeting to gather the information. Bromley Cyclists were now running a number of rides and two people from Bromley had been at the rides meeting. It was felt that there was a market for shorter, slower and more local rides (such as the recent Open House ride to Severndroog Castle) and leaders were needed to lead such rides. Anyone who has an idea for a ride was encouraged to attend the rides meeting where they will be welcomed and helped to organise any rides they wish to do. The next rides meeting is Wednesday 31 October.
7. Website.
The website had recently been updated with new pictures on the training section and a different front page showing pictures of the feeder ride to FreeWheel. It was suggested that any pictures which are taken on rides should be sent to Andy who can then change the front page more often. Andy will bring a laptop to the next meeting so the website can be looked at as a group and suggestions made.
Andy reported that the contract for the basic service which we have with UK2 is due for renewal in April 2008. He would like to have extra technical facilities which are not currently available with the present supplier without a further charge and recommended that after April 2008 we change to a different supplier who can supply the technical facilities we need at a cost of approximately £100 pa which is slightly less than we are currently paying UK2. It was agreed that this should be done.
8. Pedal Power Newsletter
It was felt that at the moment there was not enough content to publish an edition immediately and it should be left for the moment but at least one edition ought to published before Christmas, perhaps mentioning any progress with the Council as well as a report generally on the maintenance classes. It was felt important to continue Pedal Power as those who distribute it believed that the cyclists who received it enjoyed reading it and were appreciative of the work which Greenwich Cyclists did and liked to be kept in touch.
9. Any Other Business.
Teri Griffiths reported that a man who had taken 13 years to go round the world only by human power was due at the Greenwich Observatory at 2.00 pm on Saturday if anyone wanted to welcome him home.