There is a lot going on. Not least, that our meeting coincided with a Council meeting which voted a significant sum over the next years towards sustainable transport. This is good news.
Eilidh Murray, Chair of the Board of Trustees of LCC and our link Trustee gave a presentation on the role of Trustees and the “Pathways” which provide a framework for LCC relations with each borough group. She also gave a shoutout for the Women’s Freedom Ride this Sunday to which we are providing feeder ride from, and back to, the View Tube.
There is a ride calendar now set up. The next rides are the feeder ride to the Women’s Freedom Ride in Central London (5 March) and a Discover Newham Ride the following Sunday (12 March).
We did another bike maintenance session for the childrens cycle club of the charity Ambition, Aspire, Achieve on 22 February and took a group of 10 children on a ride using the Greenway and QEOP on 25 February. we shall be continuing our maintenance and ride activities. If you are interested in participating in either let us know and you can be included in the correspondence to find suitable dates.
Fix Your Ride resumes on 11 March at Woodgrange Market. Again let us know if you have not been previously involved but would like to be. We need people who are happy to organise the work and chat with interested market goers as well as those able to carry out simple repairs.
An update was provided on progress towards Low Traffic Neighbourhoods 5 (Woodgrange) and 6 (Capel) and urged all those who had not put in a personal response to the consultation to do so before the revised deadline of 5 March.
There was a report on the meeting that had taken place with Councillor Asser on 15 February in response to our letter to the Mayor reinforcing the importance of a sustainable transport budget. Now agreed, this will greatly assist in securing and implementing vital infrastructure like LTNs, the Romford Rd improvement and bike hangers.
There was a perception that there was now a greater appetite within the Council to secure planning gain for active travel – a point on which we have been campaigning for some time. ther is still lots to play for – like the massive proposed dockside development at Silvertown.
A document for collecting information on Climate Safe Street Reports will be circulated generally in order for us to be able to collate a response to LCC by the deadline of 13 March.
We attended the inaugural meeting of Sustainable Newham on 16 February. We will be seeking to provide a Fix Your Ride Stall at the Green Fair that will take place on 1 May in Forest Gate. If you can help let me know.
We discussed how we might handle our social media. More volunteers still needed in order to spread the load.
By way of other Business our attention was drawn to Kidicle Mass which is planning action days over Europe in May and September – including London on 15 May. That organisation will be seeking volunteer marshals.
And finally…we are taking action in respect of BT stations which are being placed in such a way as to block pavements.
For more information on any of the above matters please get in touch.
Next meeting 27 March, details to be confirmed.