Agenda and minutes

(5 minutes) Cllr Harborne - LBRuT Cycling Champion

Councillor Harborne welcomed everyone to the meeting in her role as the LBRuT Cycling Champion and chair of the Cycling Liaison Group.

(5 minutes)

Minutes of the meeting of the 29^th March 2011 agreed as an accurate record.  No matters arising apart from those raised under Any Other Business (Item 8).

(15 minutes)

An overview of the work being undertaken in partnership with LBRuT was given, including details of the Sky Ride Local programme which organises rides every Sunday for local residents.

There are 4 levels of rides to cater for all ages and abilities with risk assessments undertaken on the routes to ensure that rides match the abilities of those riding the routes.

Three times more men than women currently ride a bike for fun, and British Cycling want to help close this gap. It is aiming to train over 1,000 Breeze network cycle champions nationally this year with training courses planned across England to encourage more women to cycle.

Champions do not have to be expert cyclists, just enthusiastic and enjoy riding their bike More information can be found at

http://www.britishcycling.org.uk/recreation/article/rec20110601-Become-a-Breeze-Champion-0

People wanting to become champions will need to attend a one day ride leadership course, followed by a two hour workshop about the Breeze network. British Cycling will provide free cycling kit, British Cycling Ride membership (worth £24), and support to deliver safe bike rides in their local area. Champions are asked to organise and lead approximately 14 rides over the year.

Chris Jones gave an overview of the Strictly Cycling programme which is an Olympic accredited community programme.  Strictly Cycling is run by the Twickenham Cycling Club and organised grass track cycle racing events and community events over the summer in Kneller Gardens, Twickenham.  A successful Bikefest event was held in Old Deer Park on the 19^th June and it is hoped that the event will be run again next year.

Launch of the London Youth Games is planned for November 2011 in readiness for next year.

(15 minutes) Cllr Salvoni - Cabinet Member for Community Development

The item was deferred due to Councillor Salvoni’s absence.  The item will be considered at the CLG Meeting planned for Monday 3^rd October 2011.

(Presentation by Nick Tittle - Photographs of suggested sites) (10 minutes)

At the end of May, Local Government Minister Grant Shapps gave councils in England greater freedom to revoke byelaws they no longer need without having to apply to Whitehall for permission. This could make it easier to make local public spaces more accessible to cyclists by removing ‘NO CYCLING’ byelaws.

A Communities and Local Government press release gives more details.

www.communities.gov.uk/news/corporate/1912929

Nick Tittle gave a short presentation on examples of several footpaths in the Borough where consideration could be given to allowing use by cyclists.  It was highlighted that the Cabinet Member for Highways & Streetscene would need to approve a process as to how this is undertaken (subject to funding).  This would not negate the need for the correct statutory process to be followed eg Cycle Tracks Act 1984 to convert a Public Right of Way (PROW) footpath to shared cycle and pedestrian use.

It was suggested that each path would need to be considered on its merits rather than a blanket approval being given to allow cycling on PROW footpaths.

Cllr Harrison to respond in full Council on issues regarding 20mph zones/limits.

(5 minutes)

Members have asked for parts of the Strategy to be rewritten in light of comments received as part of the ‘All in One’ consultation.  An updated draft will be circulated to CLG members once it has been finalised.

(10 minutes) including identification of additional cycle parking sites on/off highway

It was agreed that Draft Transport for London programme would be circulated with the minutes of the meeting.

A copy of the work programme for all cycle schemes is required for the next meeting planned for Monday 3^rd October 2011.

Access for all schemes – joint working with Network Rail and South West Trains to improve stations and footbridges.  Funding bids will be made for Richmond, Twickenham, Whitton and Teddington by SW Trains.

Lonsdale Road, Barnes –improvements to the raised concrete ‘footway’ are required, however, this forms part of flood defence and remains the responsibility of the Environment Agency (EA) so alternative footway improvements along Lonsdale Road may have to be an alternative if the EA do not agree improvements to their flood defence.

Action Officer: RP - ASAP

(5 minutes)

Cross Deep, Twickenham: requests made for arrow/cycle logo to clearly indicate to cyclists where they should leave carriageway and join cycle and pedestrian path to access Toucan crossings. OFFICER ACTION - RP

8a. Burtons Road, Hampton: still requires ‘shared use’ roundels on existing wooden post. OFFICER ACTION - RP

8b. LonsdaleRoad, Barnes: on –street parking is obstructing advisory cycle lanes.  Requests made for sign/lines to be checked and then instruct Parking    Contracts section to undertake enforcement. OFFICER ACTION - RP

8c. Kew Road, Kew:  Cllr Burford requested that the hours of operation of the part time northbound mandatory cycle lane should be extended.

It was always envisaged that once the cycle route using Ennerdale Road as the alternative was completed then the possible removal of the 2 hour route on the west side of Kew Road would be the subject of a feasibility study. It had been suggested that a two way route on the east side of Kew Rd on a widen footway could be investigated or the Ennerdale Rd route would be the alternaive cycle route to Kew Rd Northbound.

Since the Ennerdale Rd route was completed the removal of the Kew Rd west side has not been seen as a priority for removal, so no feasibility study has been carried out. It is not programmed for investigation in the near future and would be subject to extensive consultation prior to any decision being made.

Advisory or Mandatory Cycle Lanes – guidance given in the Traffic Signs Regulations & General Directions and London Cycling Design Standards

8d. Cycle Parking: Councillor Harborne requested details of proposed locations for additional on-street cycle parking from CLG members. OFFICER ACTION - All

8e. Olympic Cycling: There is due to be a LOCOG debrief on the 8^th September 2011 to review the success of the ‘dry run’ event held on the 14^th August 2011.

8f. TfL Officer Representation at CLG Meeting: It was requested that TfL officers attend future CLG Meeting.  Unfortunately they are unable to attend evening meetings but are happy to attend meetings during the working day.

8g. Barclays Cycle Hire Scheme:  London’s Cycle Hire Scheme has celebrated its first year of operation. To mark the occasion, Mayor Boris Johnson announced that Barclays has pledged an additional £25 million in sponsorship. This will help ensure that the scheme will operate in West and South-West London from 2013. OFFICER ACTION - CS/LF

www.tfl.gov.uk/corporate/media/newscentre/archive/20667.aspx 

8h. Personal Injury Accident Statistics: A plan showing the location of the personal injury accidents involving cyclists for the last 5 years was passed to Nick Tittle.

9. Date of Next Meeting

The next meeting is planned for 18.30-20.30 hours on Monday 3^rd October 2011 Terrace Room, York House.