Newham Cyclists

Here is a letter Newham Cyclists have sent to Councillors Tripp and Ali – Cabinet members for Environment and Sustainable Transport respectively on 4 January:

QEOP letter

The prompt reply from Councillor Ali is as follows:

Dear Arnold, many thanks for your email and attachments  covering your concerns regarding the above.

 

In addition LCC and ourselves we have raised concerns in respect of hte major Stratford Waterfront Development – largely on the grounds that this development should be an opportunity to correct some of the major defects in the cycling facilities in these areas.

Those wishing to see the submission should get in touch with me.

Arnold

Here is the result of our audit ride of Newham Greenway

Newham Greenway audit ride 211118 (1):

 

 

The latest version of the note outlining the main cycling issues in Newham following our meeting with the Council’s Sustainable Transport office at the end of October is here:

Newham Cyclists Issues of Interest October 2018

There will be a Newham Ride, with a heritage theme on 11 November 2018, starting from the View Tube Cafe at 10.30 am.  A leisurely and quiet jaunt around some sites in the borough (or immediately adjacent) with a story to tell.  At least one refreshment stop.

Here is some historical information and photographs that will be drawn upon:

Newham Heritage Ride Nov 2018

For map of the start see our events section.

A substantial gathering of 13  eventually gathered to occupy a corner of the the Golden Fleece. Discussion was, as usual, lively and interesting.

• We started with a presentation by Michael Barratt, TfL’s Development Impact Assessment Manager, who has enormous expertise on alleviating the adverse impact of development works on walkers and cyclists.   He was seeking our assistance to apply a “3 Tier Assessment Works Assessment” process, the first tier involving cycling and walking,  the area of the proposed works with the contractor and determining the challenges (particularly for those with disabilities and adapted bikes) and the space available to meet them.  Tier 2 is to design alleviating measures.  Fort his purpose TfL’s Temporary Traffic Management Handbook (currently in draft) is very helpful. Tier 3 is feedback during works.

From the Newham perspective the major current works are at Stratford which is proceeding reasonably well.  Michael has assisted us recently in improving this and the more problematic  works at Bow Flyover on CS2.

The meeting was receptive to pursuing this for future significant works and we will pick up with our Newham Council contacts how to do this effectively.  Most roads in Newham are the borough’s responsibility (as opposed to TfL).

In the meantime any comments on the Stratford works can be sent to our contact e-mail for collation and submission to the responsible Newham Officer.

• Newham are consulting on a “liveable neighbourhood” scheme likely to form the borough’s bid for TfL funding – in the Freemason’s Rd area.  There is currently a high level consultation to which we will reply but as usual individual responses would be helpful.
• Richard will be taking forward, with an interested group, the idea of offering councillors bespoke rides with a walking /cycling perspective.
•  A proposed letter concerning the QE Olympic Park will be taken forward with LCC HQ and other interested boroughs being invited to participate.
• Newham Cyclists and Newham Living Streets will take forward a letter concerning the cost of parking permits, a draft of which was discussed.
• A busy October in prospect with an Fix your Ride stall on  13th, an Essex lanes Ride on 14th, Bike from Boleyn on 20th, and an AAA bike fixing stall on 27th.  Volunteers for stalls  always welcome and if you are interested and have not already volunteered please get in touch via the contact e-mail.

Arnold