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The Lothian Cycle Campaign |
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Spokes contact: Gerry Lawson 440.4412 Tony Galloway 663.6000
Much is happening on transport in Midlothian - some good, some very disappointing. Local members have discussed these issues, and will soon meet Council cycle officer Dave Kenny. Please write about any that concern you, to the following... [copy your letters & replies to Spokes]
Spokes has objected to Midlothian Local Plan, which does not include a Midlothian cycle network strategy and map. Contact Gerry [above] with suggestions on a network, or see www.midlothian-online.com then 'local news'.
We are greatly disappointed that the Council is to build a 2500-pupil 'out-of-town' Dalkeith school campus, [EN 16.2.00] despite big public support for an accessible central site [Spokes 75]. The campus will cost £33m - but the likely cost of school bus transport is £2m a year! It is rumoured that the decision is closely linked to Midlothian's desire for big A701 and A68 road schemes. Sale of the present school sites will help pay for the A701 [Spokes 69,70], whilst the out-of-town campus pressurises the government to resurrect the shelved A68 Dalkeith second bypass plan.
Campaigning against the £20m A701 continues at a high level, after government refusal of a Public Inquiry - despite 700 individual objections, all 3 local community councils, and a demand by Edinburgh [fearing increased commuting] for a full multi-modal study [LTT 3.2.2000]. Even SNP and Conservative MSPs Kenny MacAskill and Lord James Douglas-Hamilton, usually gung-ho for new roads, are actively urging an inquiry. The No-Alignment Action Group [www.spokes.org.uk/naag or 01968.675109] hopes to mount a legal challenge.
The government study into Waverley Line re-opening concludes that a half-hourly Edinburgh-Galashiels service would cover operating costs from fares and would help Borders economic/social recovery [H 16.2.2000]. Councils are now working on a funding package. The Campaign for Borders Rail [01450.375787] reckons the line could be open in 5 years given enough commitment, and complete re-opening might be feasible in the longer term.
We have not yet seen the report, but understand it says there is space for a cycleroute beside the rail track [www.midlothian-online.com/news]. Christine Graham MSP is lobbying for this - please send your support. Borders Council also wants stations linked to towns and villages "by cycleways, to promote sustainable travel patterns" [Council leaflet]. Another vital issue will be on-train bike capacity, as there is likely to be great leisure demand, as well as commuting. Write to MSPs Rhona Brankin and Christine Graham asking them to ensure these 3 aspects of bike/rail integration will be fully accommodated!
This 30cm-wide rut outside Linlithgow is now a 2m path, as part of British Waterways' Union/Forth-Clyde Canal reopening. Most of the towpath is already cycleable. [Project info: Millennium Link newsletter £1 a year 01413326936]
The Council has approved a £3m scheme to "redress historic roadspace imbalances" in Central Edinburgh. Walkers, cyclists and public transport all benefit, and the council expects up to £26m additional retail spending as a result! [LTT 17.2.2000]. Construction is unlikely till 2001 due to consultation needs, but plans are likely to include:
We heartily thank members who wrote to the Council over the Waverley Valley Strategy [Spokesworker 16.11.99] This excellent document, guiding future development, has improved further, thanks to you!! Changes include...
Edinburgh's innovative Car Club [453.5300], one year old, is a great success, with membership now at 90 [Herald 25.3.00]. Sites have been increased from 7 to 23, and cars from 10 to 30. Quite a few car-club members have now given up car ownership entirely.
Full funding is now in place for Edinburgh
Crossrail - Dunblane/Bathgate services continuing every 30 minutes
to new stations at Brunstane and Kinnaird Park. This is also hopefully
the first stage in Waverley line re-opening to Dalkeith and Galashiels
[see Midlothian article above].
European Car-Free day [see diary] www.22september.org
National Network open [see article] www.ridethenet.co.uk
Velo-city conference [see diary] www.velo-city2001.org
Homezones info/discussion centre
www.homezones.org
Members with ideas to promote cycle/sustainable/healthy transport can get support/contacts (including other interested members) from Spokes. Recent groups/initiatives include..
Sadly, fears about government transport policy [Spokes 75] have come true - eg. removing promised powers to allow charging of retail/leisure operators for car spaces, and downgrading the national walking strategy [LTT 30.3.00].
Whilst the Speed review was at least launched by the Prime Minister - the first PM to take such an interest in road safety - its contents were a big disappointment, with decisions left to councils, and no extra funds. The Review accepts 'overwhelming evidence' that lower speeds would significantly reduce death and injury. But there will be no national lower country lanes limit because the government can't define a country lane! [Speed Review]. Nor a national 30mph for villages, because they don't know "what constitutes a village"!! Nor a 20mph national urban limit.
PUBLIC TRANSPORT FUND - CAMPAIGN
In Scotland we are most disappointed that every time new government money becomes available it goes to trunk road building or maintenance - this has happened 3 times in one year [SE 868/99, 817/99,937/00]. And it now appears the Public Transport Fund is shrinking! The Fund isn't an ideal system, especially for cycle projects [Spokes 74], but at least it means extra government funds to councils for public transport and cycling. But whereas it was previously £90m over 3 years plus a £14.2m 3-year Rural Transport Fund, Minister Sarah Boyack recently said the PT Fund "is £90m over the next 3 years, £14m of which will be for the rural transport fund" [Official Report col 460].
In the context of ever-increasing trunk road funding this is wholly at odds with sustainable transport policy and with Labour's Scottish Parliament manifesto. Labour's manifesto in fact promised "extended support for walking and cycling" and "to create a high quality, accessible and affordable public transport system". It said nothing about building new trunk roads! Please ask your MSP to raise these issues with the Minister [factsheet 1 for contact].
Side 1 Whole of cyclable W. Lothian at 1:30,000 plus east to Edinburgh.
Side 2 Features Union
Canal, NCN Route 75, 1:10,000 town plans of Linlithgow, Uphall, Borxburn,
Winchburgh, Kirkliston, Info panels.
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