Southwark Cyclists Meeting

14^th July 2004

Present:

Barry Mason, Ash Chowdhry, Michael Wolf, Paul Lowe, Rebecca Lack, Juliette Mitchell, Roger Stocker, Brenton Smith, Tenyen, Hugh Bolten, Roger Griffen, Kit Reynolds, John Hearns, Andrew Rogers, Peter Corkhill

4) Burgess Park

(Tail end of discussion)

The need for resources to keep up and expand the range of activities at the track for local kids was discussed. The Community Council was suggested as a good source of funding.

Actions:

BM to identify which is the relevant Community Council

AC as a local resident agreed to go along and make representations provided he is appropriately briefed

BS to brief AC on issues/plans etc

5) Fundraising and Future projects

Burgess Park current main project. No news on the opportunity to provide researched cycle input into the Elephant and Castle Regen Scheme

Action:

BM to chase up to see what is the status of the proposed project to provide input into the E&C plans

6) Planning issues

The interest of the group in helping to ensure that planning projects at all scales meet the needs of cyclists was reaffirmed. There was a general agreement that information on the current range and status of relevant planning issues must be relayed to the group. Firstly it was felt important to gather feedback from the group so that representations can truly be in the name of Southwark Cyclists, secondly there is a feeling that participating in such discussions will build up capacity within the group to make effective and informed comments and thirdly it is necessary to co-ordinate responses to avoid unintended duplication or alternatively no response at all. BM emphasised his confidence in the skills and energies of Alisdair and James but undertook to agree with them how information on their hard work can be more effectively shared with the broader group

Action:

BM to talk to Alisdair and James

Southwark road safety projects

The recent consultation about 4 safety projects in Lower Road SE16, Barry Road SE22, Newington Causeway/Borough High St SE1 and Salter Road SE16 were noted. It was agreed that the current information on objectives for each of the schemes and the proposed benefits of each of the schemes was insufficient. It was noted for example that the LCN+ network passes through one of the areas but no reference has been made to how this is affected by the scheme. Particular concerns were raised about proposed one way systems with no provision for contraflows for cyclists and traffic islands which reduce road space potential squeezing cyclists.

Actions

All: Individuals were encouraged to respond to the schemes. RG’s posting to the email list provides a good guide to the sort of issues . Further information can be obtained by emailing www.lbs-safety@mottmac.com or calling 020 8774 2300. Closing date for responses is 30^th July.

On behalf of SC

BM will respond for Lower Road and Slater Road

RG has already covered Borough

DL cover Barry Road

BM will check whether Alistair and James have already responded

7 Newsletter

(Controlled) Panic. LCC mailing to go out in two days and no SC mailing ready to keep up the buzz following the success of bike week. Tenyen stepped into the breach offering to provide a reinterpretation of what a newsletter should be like. He was hailed as a hero

8) Rides

8^th August: Villages and countryside of the Kent Weald. A gentle 35 miler. Details eleanorpurser@yahoo.co.uk

21^st August: A Chiltern adventure. Led by Michael. More detail to follow

9) Finances

HB presented a report on the finances showing a healthy balance of £3.177.74 of which £2,959.87 is unrestricted. It was agreed that the Burgess Park budget line was sufficient to make a payment to the kids involved in the Burgess Park initiative. The healthy state of this budget was in part to the generosity of Patrick Field who charged less that agreed for the hire of the sound system.

Action: BM to formally thank Patrick

The question was raised as to whether SC funds should be in an interest bearing account.

Action: HB to investigate whether this is a possibility

10) Southwark Cycling Officer Report

RS reported that Southwark’s Borough Spending Plan (BSP) had been submitted to TfL. Cycling related submissions cover funding for further cycling parking facilities and money for the CRISP process.

RS’s hard work was commended but the group reiterated the sentiments of the earlier discussion about the need to be more fully informed of discussions about this kind of planning project.

RS confirmed that discussions about the budget and structure of the Transport and Environment Division of the Council are ongoing

Action:

The Chair encouraged members to write to Richard Thomas, executive member for Transport and the Environment asking him to ensure that Southwark apportions money for cycling projects in addition to whatever monies are received from TfL

BM is continuing to work with RS to ensure that SC feeds into the CRISP process to improve cycling provision through the Capital. Ed is not clear on what is involved so if you’re curious and still reading, BM should be able to help.

11) AOB

RL reported on her mini-survey to provide feedback negative impact on cyclists on the Waterloo road configurations. [She subsequently circulated the results of the survey]

EP drew the group’s attention to the draft response to the SRA cycling policy. She requested urgent feedback and agreement that the aggregate document could be submitted on behalf of SC. This was given [and the document later submitted.]

Adjourned to pub