Southwark Cyclists Planning
Sub-Group Minutes 27/10/04
Present: Barry Mason, Eleanor Purser, Andrew
Rogers Roger Stocker
Agreed options for the Southwark Cyclists
Planning Group
1) Use the
strength of the planning system to require more effective cycling provision in
new development
There is an
opportunity to influence where the power is: namely the policy that informs
the planning review process.
As a first stage we would need to audit the current Council policy and process
approach to designing,
funding and enforcing cycling provision. This should include a discussion
with Richard Thomas (Executive
Member for transport and the environment) and relevant planning officers.
(Currently being arranged)
We could then review whether this is happening in practice using major planning applications as case studies and
comment appropriately to
ensure that policy is being enforced.
2) Influencing
local planning policies which affect the street
The consultation
around the main local planning policy document (UDP) is now mainly finished. However transport planning for the borough
is ongoing and the Local
Implementation Plan (LIP) will be published in January. There is an opportunity to
ensure that sustainable
transport initiatives are given priority and are allocated resources not just
through bids into TfL
but also from council’s own core funding
3) Influencing
local strategies which affect the street
A number of
strategies will be produced over the next 6-12 months. We could respond to
consultation documents
to encourage the Council to adopt ambitious targets and measurable work
programmes to improve cycling
policy eg Road Safety Plan, Walking Strategy, Streetscape design manual
4) Ensure that
transport/highway/planning schemes in Southwark designed to facilitate
cycling
Currently Southwark
cyclists are sent notification of major schemes and invited to comment. We could continue to respond where possible,
drawing on sources of
best practice guidance (LCC/Southwark experts) and build up overtime a library of best
practice principles
that we recommend eg on subjects like traffic calming, cycle rack provision and type, cycle lanes. Practically, we may not be
able to respond to all
schemes but as a minimum we need a better understanding of where our comments
have been requested
so we as a group can decide whether or not to respond.
5) Influencing
London-wide/national Strategies that affect the streetscape
Respond to
consultation documents to encourage relevant authorities to adopt ambitious targets and measurable work programmes to
improve cycling policy eg
Mayor’s Road Safety Plan, Mayor’s Air Quality Strategy. Comments should reflect
where it exists, LCC
policy. However, it
may be that SCC takes the lead in formulating policies where none yet exists
6) Supporting cycling
provision through attendance at Community Councils
Adopt a more
systematic approach to attending community councils to ensure that cycling provision remains a local priority. Possibly
nominate a community
council coordinator to circulate dates, ensure that someone is present
7) Ensure that
big local development projects build cycling provision in from the
beginning
There are a number
of big local projects that are set to alter fundamentally the road layouts and
accessrequirements to major destination points eg Elephant and Castle, London Bridge, Canada
Water. Possibly nominate
a single contact to act as the cycling lobbyist for the project over time.
First steps would be
work out the status of the project and let project
managers know that
we wish to be part of the consultation
process.
The
next meeting will be held on 24th November at 7pm at the Blackfriars
Settlement
1-5
Rushworth St, SE1 0RD