Newsletter of Greenwich Cyclists — No.22.2 25/12 special — December 2002
www.greenwichcyclists.org.uk wap: http://tagtag.com/gcycle
South East London boroughs — including Greenwich - have so far spent less than 10% of the money allocated to them by Transport for London for developing the London Cycle Network Plus (LCN+), a report to the Association of London Government has revealed.
LCN+ is a streamlined version of the London Cycle Network. The Mayor of London has allocated £6million this year to boroughs to build safe, high quality and high capacity facilities that will make a real difference to the numbers of people cycling. The 500 mile network is expected to be most suitable for commuter and other utility cyclists.
Greenwich, Bexley, Bromley, Lambeth, Lewisham and Southwark are singled out as the worst performing group of boroughs, spending just £49,000 together. They have been warned that failure to spend the money could mean it is returned to central Government coffers.
Though it may be possible for the Council to spend the money it has been allocated within the remaining months of the year, the omens are not good. The borough has under spent significantly in previous years. And, since the LCN+ is primarily on main roads, there may be more technical problems to sort out with this year’s programme.
A Greenwich Cyclists spokesperson commented: "If the Council fails to spend our allocation it would be a tragic waste of public funds and a further set back to our hopes for high quality cycling infrastructure in the borough. Councillors must act fast to recover this situation."
Greenwich Cyclists has written to Councillor Brooks, Deputy Leader of the Council, expressing concern about the issue and the lack of strategic planning on cycling within the authority. The Cycling Officer has also been asked to provide details of the LCN+ allocation and to explain what contingency plans are in place if the money cannot be committed this year.
From 8am onwards on a cold and damp Monday 25 November, a couple of us helped some from Lewisham and Southwark colleagues with a simple, cheap and cunning scheme: we stood in Lower Road SE1 on the busy A200 into London to see just how many drivers were abusing the rather good bus lanes. We took pics of about 94 cars, vans and lorries an hour illegally using that bus lane and risking £80 fines. But that risk is sadly minimal. There’s little or no policing of bus lanes. Now the pictures are on their way to Southwark Council, Transport for London, the police, the bus companies and of course the press — to include the Evening Standard, which is printed nearby and 30% of whose vans were straying into the bus lanes too. And they didn’t count the motorised two-wheelers....90% of them used the lane and shouldn’t. Policing must improve. TfL have already promised a camera for that lane. We’ll now see if our efforts make more improvements. They had a useful deterrent effect on the day and much praise from passing cyclists and pedestrians.
We were told, and the local signs said, that permanent resurfacing was supposed to start on 25 November. It didn’t until a week later. But at last work is underway. Even the Council’s own website says it was dangerous.Ceilidh!
Wow. 167 tickets sold. It was a great evening. pm. Thanks to all who helped, and arrived.ateway Road Bridge
Greenwich Council has come out strongly in favour of this new £400m (and rising) 6 lane Beckton to Thamesmead toll bridge. But there’s been no consultation yet. What do Greenwich Cyclists think? We’ll consider on 5 February with a Transport for London speaker. Join us. (A note of the Thames Gateway Forum’s meeting at the House of Commons on 25 November went out to our elist the next day).Contact us!
We usually keep in touch via e-mail. Join the e-group, by logging on via our website www.greenwichcyclists.org.uk
If you don’t have access to e-mail or the internet, please contact us with your address. Phone Barry Mason on 020 7232 0444 or 07905 889 005, or write to us at:
Greenwich Cyclists
c/o Greenwich Forum
Trafalgar Road
SE 10 6PQ
You can pick up Pedal Power at the following places:
Below are some of latest rides.... enjoyable, informative, sociable and fun. The short Easy Going rides are designed for families and novices. Expect help with minor problems like punctures but ensure your bike is roadworthy and bring a pump and a spare inner tube. Full list and more details at www.greenwichcyclists.org.uk. We add more rides every week and include more and more rides from neighbouring groups too.
Saturday 28 December: 10am Cutty Sark Gardens: Locks, Docks and no blooming sales:
that slow explore east again. Stay all day for the 30 mile explore, or just do half.
Wednesday 8 January: monthly meeting. All very welcome. 7.30-9pm. The Forum@ Greenwich. Trafalgar Road. Pub opposite after.
Saturday 11th January: 1066 Country. Not a radio station, but an all-day explore round
pretty Saxon/Norman Sussex. About 40 miles with some smallish hills. Meet 9am Peckham
Pulse or CSG or 9.40am London Bridge (main concourse, outside WHSmith) for 10.12 train
to Battle. Southwark Cyclists: Cheryl on 07946 378 174
Saturday 18 January: Shorne Marshes, Cliffe Fort and the Hoo Peninsula. (All tarmac this
time!). 9am Cutty Sark Gardens for a quickish 30 miles to Gravesend where we met those
who've trained it down - 11.15am at the station. Then a gentle 30 mile explore. White
egrets perhaps. Train back.
Sunday 19 January: Thamesmead/Beckton link? 10am Cutty Sark Gardens for riverside
ride to Thamesmead, then via the ferry to Beckton. Let's see where this possible new bridge might go. Then the Greenway. Then discuss it on 5 February. A 30 mile gentle all day explore.
Friday 31 January: Critical Mass. 6pm National Film Theatre. South Bank. (Bit political).
Saturday 1 February: Dungeness! Meet 9am CSG or 10am London Bridge mainline station
for train to Folkstone and the sea, Romney Marshes and the wonderful Dungeness shingle
banks. Bring a swimmie (optional!). Train back from Rye, or big hill Hastings. About 60 miles.
Wednesday 5 February: monthly meeting. All very welcome. The Forum@Greenwich. Trafalgar Road. Pub opposite after. (note: TfL speaking for new Becton/Thamesmead bridge)
Sunday 9 February: Locks, Docks and one smoking ferry: Meet 10am CSG. It's back. The
ever-changing 30 mile tour of docklands. Drop out half way, or stay all day.
Sunday 16 February: Eltham Palace. We've kept meaning to. Meet 10am CSG for a meander to the palace and a good look round it. £6 entry fee. All day with lunch at the Oxleas Wood cafe.
Saturday 22 February: Barnes Wetlands Centre.10am CSG. Gently down the Thames Path to Barnes and the very impressive Wetlands Centre and its overwintering birds. Entry fee. Ride or train back. 15 miles there.
And more.....
Have a wonderful 2003.