-------------------------------------------------------------------- This is a circular to all emailable Spokes members. [If you recently sent us a change of email address, your change may not yet be in our database, so this message may go to your old address or possibly to both]. We hope you'll have the time to read this circular carefully and take action on those points that concern or interest you. If using email addresses shown below, replace [AT] by @. ------------------------------------------------------------------ A. FUTURE OF PRINCES STREET & CITY CENTRE: act by 9 May The Council consultation ends on 9 May. It is really important for individuals to make their views known - there is a council email address for comments, and an online survey. Under the Council's proposals, cyclists would be treated just like buses and taxis in Princes Street - completely banned eastbound and with no choice westbound but to continue mixing it with buses and taxis next to the tramlines, although there would be a 2-way cycleroute in George Street. For more information, how to respond, and the Spokes submission see the 27 April news item on our website http://www.spokes.org.uk. B. RECENT SPOKES DOCUMENTS We have been extra active recently!! Our thanks to everyone who helped with the reports and submissions below. Read any that interest you, and follow up points that concern you with emails to your councillors or MSPs, as appropriate. Use www.writetothem.com to find your representatives. These initiatives have also been tweeted on our twitter account @SpokesLothian. If you are a tweeter please give us some retweets!! - Survey of Spokes members... www.spokes.org.uk/wordpress/2013/04/the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly/ - Bicycle count in city centre... www.spokes.org.uk/wordpress/documents/technical-and-research/spokes-traffic-counts/ - Public Meeting report "Cars down, bravery not yet up" Our public meeting was a great success. Here's a report... www.spokes.org.uk/wordpress/2013/04/cars-down-bravery-not-yet-up/ - Coloured surfacing, paper to the council www.spokes.org.uk/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/Spokes-colour-paper-v3-final.pdf - Active Travel Action Plan - response to City Council review www.spokes.org.uk/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/1304-ATAP-REVIEW-2013-FINAL-SPOKES-VIEWS1.pdf - Cycling Action Plan for Scotland, CAPS - response to government consultation www.spokes.org.uk/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/1301-Spokes-response-v4.pdf - Cycle Storage in front gardens - we are currently working on a draft factsheet, to consolidate our successes in helping several affected families to overturn Council refusals. We will make it public as soon as possible. C. PLANNING ISSUE 1: GRANTON HARBOUR [by 3 May] Plans by Forth Ports for 1700 homes, a hotel, businesses, etc say they cater for cycle use, but in reality seem set to be a disaster, including sections of shared-use pavement and with stops at side roads every 100m or so! The opportunity to properly link up an east-west coastal route is also being squandered. The cycling issues are well covered in articles by the Innertube Map and by Greener Leith... http://innertubemap.com/blog/post/589 http://greenerleith.org.uk/blog/revised-granton-masterplan-learns-little-from-western-harbour-2559 Please submit your own comments to the council - the above articles include a link to the Council Planning Portal where you can comment [a simple registration is also needed]. D. PLANNING ISSUE 2: ROYAL MILE [by 17 May] The Council is consulting on Action Plan. There's a lot of good in it, to make the area less car-dominated, but we are very concerned about the proposals for more setts [unless they are the flat-topped kind, as used at the junction with North Bridge]. We circulated members in the area recently, and you can see our circular here... www.spokes.org.uk/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/1304-High-St-+-Shandon.pdf Although the workshops etc are over, you can email comments in until 17 May. If you use the High Street by bike, or would like to, please do comment. Find more information and the comments email address at the above link. E. PLANNING ISSUE 3: EDMONSTONE [events May 14-16] A massive housing development is proposed for land north of Old Dalkeith Rd and west of The Wisp. This is currently a PAN* for preliminary consultation, and not yet a full planning application. Peter Hawkins of Spokes Planning Group says that a north-south route through the site is essential, and that recreational opportunities need to be provided as the site includes beautiful woodlands. Public exhibitions are planned as follows... 14 May 4-8pm Hays Business Centre, Hays Avenue 15 May 2.30-4.30 and 6-8pm Goodtrees Neighbourhood Centre, 5 Moredunvale Place 16 May 3.30-7.30pm Danderhall Library, 1A Campview. To see the official documents search for 13/00928/PAN at https://citydev-portal.edinburgh.gov.uk/idoxpa-web/ Because this is a PAN, not a PA, very few details are on the official documents, and you need to visit the exhibitions or contact the developers. The contact for further info and for emailed comments is naomi.cunningham@holderplanning.co.uk phone 0131 225 6349. *For more about what PANs are, see our factsheet... www.spokes.org.uk/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/PAs-and-PANs.pdf F. PLANNING ISSUE 4: PORTOBELLO HIGH SCHOOL [meeting 15 May] This is also a PAN. To see the outline documents search for 13/01187/PAN at https://citydev-portal.edinburgh.gov.uk/idoxpa-web/ There has been huge controversy locally about the school location, but that now seems decided. However, hopefully this can be used to improve cycling conditions nearby to provide safe access to the new school. One vital link would be a toucan crossing of Milton Road opposite Hope Lane. Public meeting: 15 May, 7pm, Portobello Town Hall. Contact for comments and for further info... john.e.baker@edinburgh.gov.uk 529.5889. G. BIG EVENTS FOR YOUR DIARY May 19: Pedal on Parliament http://pedalonparliament.org/ A really important occasion which last year helped raise the profile of cycling significantly with politicians in Scotland. http://www.spokes.org.uk/wordpress/2012/04/pop-phenomenon/ June 19: Spokes Bike Breakfast, City Chambers, 7.45-9.45am Another big success in 2012!! http://www.spokes.org.uk/wordpress/2012/06/bike-breakfast-record/ Rides from local areas to the breakfast are again being organised, with the intention of also bringing along local councillors and MPs/MSPs from each area. Find out more, join in and help at.. http://breakfastbikeride.org.uk/pwp/wordpress/ H. EDINBURGH BIKE PATHS: A GUIDE Spokes member Mike Lewis has published an article to raise awareness of the off-road bike routes in the city, many of which are not visible from the roads, and so lose out on potential users (unless they have a Spokes map!) Mike's article is at... http://www.cycling-edinburgh.org.uk/bike-paths.htm I. ARE YOU RENEWED FOR 2013? Renewal forms for 2013 were sent out in our Spring mailing in early March, unless you were already renewed or a recent new member. If you've not yet sent in your renewal form, please do it now!! Dave du Feu Spokes 27.04.13