Cycling strategy: Council agrees to talks

Deputy Leader of Greenwich Council, Peter Brooks, has warmly welcomed Greenwich Cyclists’ Strategy and pledged to integrate our views into council thinking.

Councillor Brooks wrote to us in December reiterating a number of commitments to cycling including training in schools, cycling provision in major planning applications and the implementation of the London Cycle Network. He also repeated that there is a commitment to liase with local cycle groups.

But, he goes on to explain that because of delays at Transport for London, the Council cannot start to develop its ‘Local Implementation Plan’ - which dictates what gets done when - until April 2003 at the very earliest. And, he says, it will take a further 9 months to consult and finalise the plan.

Rather than wait for another year, however, Councillor Brooks asked for transport staff within the council to meet with us to discuss our policy and to get our input into the bid and spending plan process for next year. He also suggested a meeting to discuss the implementation of the London Cycle Network specifically.

Members of Greenwich Cyclists have begun to meet to work on proposals for the London Cycle Network in advance of this meeting which is promised ‘in the new year’. For more information see the section on the LCN+ at www.greenwichcyclists.org.uk.

Cycle funding mismanagement denied

The Council has denied allegations of financial mismanagement on investment in the London Cycle Network (LCN).

Greenwich Cyclists pointed out, in a letter to the Council last November that the borough is among the six worst performing boroughs when it comes to spending on the Network. Half way through the year, the Council had spent less than 10% of the funds allocated by Transport for London (TfL). This follows previous years of underspending by the council, and a clear danger that the money would be lost to Greenwich altogether.

Responding for the Council, the Head of Transport suggests that "if there were an underspend this year this would merely be recycled by TfL or government and is hardly a waste of public funds".

However, the view that unused funding will simply be ‘recycled’ is not supported by the project manager for the Network. He appeals to local authorities who will not spend their yearly allocation to let him know. He offers to assist borough with ‘resource problems’. But he warns that: "in a worst case scenario holding onto such funding could result in it being returned to central Government rather than spent in London

The clear implication is that if the borough fails to spend the money, and refuses the help offered, not only will Greenwich cyclists lose out, but other London cyclists will too.

Green chain plan: a missed opportunity?

Cyclists across South East London have branded long-term management plans for the Green Chain as ‘a missed opportunity’ and have urged councillors to intervene.

A 28 page consultation document, published by Greenwich Council, deals with the future of the network of paths and parks that runs between the Thames and Crystal Palace through the boroughs of Lewisham, Bexley and Bromley. Yet it fails to make even one mention of cycling, despite the fact that it includes many cycle routes and is extremely popular among leisure cyclists.

"The Green Chain is a tremendous asset to South East London," says Liz Delap, spokesperson for Greenwich Cyclists. "Properly managed, it would be ideal for an exciting network of family-friendly cycle routes that do not inconvenience pedestrians. Each of the Councils on the Green Chain say they will promote cycling, so they could do no better than to start than to provide safe off-road facilities in our parks. After all, where will all those children that got bikes for Christmas learn to ride?"

Greenwich Cyclists’ response to the consultation, entitled ‘An opportunity missed?’ argues that the failure to consider cycling is completely anomalous given that cycling is prioritised in each of the four Council’s transport policies, and is consistent with their policies to improve health, the environment and social exclusion. Cycling could also help the managers of the network to achieve their own objectives: the increased use of the Green Chain, a secure funding base for the network and preservation of the open spaces.

Greenwich Cyclists has sent its response, endorsed by the 9,000 member London Cycling campaign and local groups in Southwark and Lewisham, to Councillors overseeing the consultation. They have called for a major rethink on how cycling can be integrated and encouraged on the Green Chain.

Copies of the consultation response, entitled "An opportunity missed?" are available from www.greenwichcyclists.org.uk or phone 07905 889 005.

Easy going rides!

Suitable for beginners, improvers and all the family! Our easy going rides are on the first Saturday of every month. Meet 10am at Cutty Sark Gardens. Want to start cycling? - come along to our next ride on March 1st

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.
You can pick up Pedal Power at the following places:
* Greenwich Tourist Office
* Greenwich Forum
* Harry Perry cycle shop in Woolwich
* Halfords Bike Hut shop in Charlton

February rides!

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.

Wednesday 5th February: monthly meeting. All very welcome. The Forum@Greenwich. Trafalgar Road. Pub opposite after.

Sunday 9th 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 16th February: Eltham Palace. 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. Barry. 07905 889 005.

Saturday 22nd February: Barnes Wetlands Centre.10am CSG. Down the Thames Path to the Wetlands Centre and its overwintering birds. Entry fee. Ride/ train back. 15 miles there

Friday 28th February: London Critical Mass. 6pm National Film Theatre. South Bank. (Bit political)

Wednesday 5th March: monthly meeting. All very welcome. The Forum@Greenwich. Trafalgar Road. Pub opposite after.