Newham Cyclists

Start at 10.ooam at the View Tube Cafe. This year we will be focussing on the Royal Docks, and the banks of the rivers Thames and Lea. There will be short stops at sites of historical interest but for further info and photos (including some sites we will not be visiting!) see the update and expanded guide.

Lots of stopping places in the second half of the ride and the cafe at Cody Dock should be open. The choice will depend on the weather.

Arnold

This will be a Pre-Christmas Social at the Wanstead Tap, Arch 352 Winchelsea Rd, Forest Gate, E7 OAQ from 7.30 to 9.30 pm. There will be light refreshment in the form of bread and cheese.

Arnold

Eight of us made it to the latest, Littile Ilford, round of our tour of Community Centres. Highlights –

• We discussed the logistics of the planned ride to the Newham Firework Display – details to be confirmed.
• We decided that November’s meeting will be a social to which partner organisations will be invited.
• We started our thinking on our rides calendar for next year. Steve will bring a draft to our next meeting.
• We discussed what options were available to replace the Yahoo Group which was becoming limited and whose future is uncertain. We decided to continue to use the website as the main archive and to try out Groups.io; but leave other options, with different functionality, open. We also agreed that there should be an additional site administrator in LCC HQ.
• We decided to put in a detailed response to the proposed Waltham Forest/Newham Low Traffic Neighbourhood based on our earlier response advocating 5 “traffic cells”. The Infrastructure Group were tasked to put this together in the light of any plans already in place from the Council and in liaison Waltham Forest Cyclists. In the meantime individuals were encoraged to add there comments to the consultative interactive map which closes on 14 November. The major rat runs of Cemetery Rd and Odessa Rd were identified. Also the need to protect Quietway 6 which crosses this area.
• Olympic Park “quick wins” have been submitted to the LLDC consultant, and the signs were that the MSG Development was likely to be brought back.
• Schools Streets are being launched on 11 November at the Chobham Academy and Woodrange/Godwin Schools. We hope to have a presence to encourage cycling.
• We identified a need to liaise with the newborn Redbridge Group in support to the “Ilford Gardens” development.
• Various other infrastructure improvements were identified. These have gone on our list of cycling issues which we plan to discuss with Newham Council officers at a forthcoming catch up meeting with them.

Arnold

A wet night might have accounted for a slight drop in numbers for our meeting at the Beckton Community Centre, but there was no shortage of lively discussion.

We were pleased to welcome Councillor James Asser, newly appointed as Cabinet Member for Environment, Highways and Sustainable Transport. Before his appointment he had previously engaged with us by attending our Annual Meeting and our Councillor Ride. He mentioned that a new Director of Highways had been appointed.

Kerena updated on the activities of the Newham Climate Collective which brings together organisations interested in Newham Council’s initiatives to fight global warming, poor air quality and waste. We are a strong voice in this group. It will next be meeting on 7 October to consider Newham’s draft Air Quality Action Plan, on which consultation ends on 14 October.

We agreed that Newham Cyclists should put in a specific response in addition to anything produced by the NCC, and put together a co-ordinating group. However everyone is encouraged to participate as individuals in the Council’s online consultation. Specific points raised were: (a) the Cycle Strategy invoked in the draft needs to be actively implemented, (b) maximum leverage should be extrated from new developments and (c) all Council developments should be looked at with an eye to active travel and monitored – in paticular that infrastructure conducive to active travel is restored if removed for any reason.

Possible planning applications for a lorry park/distribution centre in Silvertown and the expansion of London City Airport were discussed. It was clarified that Newham Council still retained its planning and other powers in respect of the Royal Docks Enterprize Zone.

A panel discussion on cimate changed is planned at the LCC annual Meeting on 16 October.

On infrastructure:

• It was agreed that an infrastructure group with a core of Olawale, Johnathan, Chris and Arnold – but open to anyone interested- should focus on infrastructure issues and take the load of the monthly meetings. To this end also regular updates of the Cycling Issues chart will be posted on the website to inform those interested.
• The issues surrounding the MSG development in Angel Lane were discussed. Whilst it is opposed on infrastructure grounds by TFL the development is not likely to go away. However it should not compromise the surrounding area (Stratford Station, Montfichet Rd and Penny Brookes St and Angel Lane – all key points for active travel.
• There is still time to submit “quick wins” for minor improvements in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.
• Enforcement cameras have not yet been installed for the Browning Rd bridge but should come shortly. We agreed to monitor the effect once the cameras had been installed and bedded in.
• The pilot School Streets were going to be introduced in phases. The need for new schools to design in air quality was raised.
• In general enforcement (of parking, littering, and to prevent engine idling) was becominng more important. Councillor Asser encouraged use of the “Love Newham” App.

We finishedwith a reminder of the success of the car free day. We had participated in events in Stratford (where there were a variety of activities – see photos – but no street closures) and in Tylney Rd (which was partially closed for play). The success of the event in Warrior Square Manor Park demonstrated the appetite for liveable streets.

Arnold

Rain before and rain after kept the crowds away from what proved, for Viv, Jonathan and myself to be a ride in dry – if grey- weather. We took in theusual, but ever changing sights of Newham, including Lyle Park, Tinity Buoy Wharf (where the only hint of rain came whilst lunch was being taken) East India Dock, Cody Dock and Three Mills.

One puncture from the usual glass on the cycle lanes around Beckton. Also the sight of systematic car parking on shared use pavement in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic(Car) Park.

Arnold

A Newham Ride will take place on Sunday 29 September -starting from the View Tube Cafe at 10.00am.

Our regular monthly meetings resume on 30 September at 7.30pm at Beckton Community Centre, 14 East Ham Manor Way, E6 5NG. Lots of interesting matters to discuss including significant political and infrastructure developments and our role in the Climate Change movement.

Arnold

It has been a busy time for Newham cyclists and our infrastructure team. We have had a number of recent meetings with Council Officials and responded to a number of consultations.

This document provides a summary of major issues in the borough with which we are currently actively concerned. It was updated following a regular catch up meeting with Newham Council a month ago. Items in red have arisen since. Of particular interest are:

• Manor Park rat running – item 13
• Barking Rd corridor (Greengate St and Green St Junctions) – items 1 and 7
• Romford Rd corridor – items 1 and 19
• Liveable Neighbourhoods (Custom House and North Newham) – item 2
• The MSG development near Westfield – part of item 6.

If you would like further details of any of the matters addressed in this document or about other matters not addressed in it please e-mail me on newham@lcc.org.uk

Arnold

Four of us (7 wheels in total) made our way to Greenwich Park using paths, back streets and the cable car. There Harry Clarke, Bexley’s Healthy Rides Coordinator, had arranged a cycle fun day. The picture shows Mike adding to the jollity in the track stand competition.

Arnold