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The Lothian Cycle Campaign

SPOKESWORKER 2nd December 2002

FOR YOUR DIARY

See also the Diary in Spokes 83

Jan 20 or 23 [?] E.Lothian Members' meeting [& EL map news] Mark James 01368.864717 maj@finnsdad.freeserve.co.uk

Jan 24 Burning Bright without Burning Out Alastair McIntosh: How to maintain your energy when working for environmental or social justice. Centre for Human Ecology 624.1976 www.che.ac.uk

Feb 13 Air Quality in 2003 National Society for Clean Air conference, Edinburgh - includes session on congestion charging.. Details: clare.carruthers@eps.glasgow.gov.uk. Fee £125.

Mar 13 Spokes Election Forum for council elections

Mar 27 Cycling and Health conference, Nottingham University 0115.951.4132 www.nationalcyclingstrategy.org.uk/html/events.

June 22 [provisional] EDINBURGH BIKEFEST Help needed now to make the 5^th annual BikeFest the most successful ever. Planning this year starts early, so there's every chance of a great event - especially if you get involved!! www.bikefest.org.uk or e-mail Callum Macdonald, 15-19 York Place, EH1 3EB. 0131.524.6150.

Aug 2 Borders Push annual testicular cancer sponsored circular ride from Gorebridge. 01875.341158 info@tcas.fsnet.co.uk

NEW PUBLICATIONSTRANSform Scotland annual report 2001-2 - interesting and useful summary of TS activity. www.transformscotland.org.uk

Climate Change in Scotland Scottish Executive newsletter, Nov 2002. www.scotland.gov.uk/climatechange or 0131.244.1520.

Healthy Travel Sustrans active-travel project newsletter [seeks to incorporate non-sedentary travel modes into everyday journeys]. Rachel Bromley 0117.926.8893. www.sustrans.org.uk.

NPPG 17: cycling excerpts Scottish National Planning Policy Guideline no.17 covers integration of planning and transport. Very useful when commenting to councils on planning applications for new developments. The full document is on www.scotland.gov.uk [planning section] but Peter Hawkins has produced a list of extracts specifically related to cycling. 443 6712 peterhawk@care4free.net

CARtoons book of powerful cartoons and text about the place of the car in society - the cartoons are freely reproducible. £6 from Spokes post-free. More details on page 2 of Spokes 83.

National Cycle Archive Collection of materials on cycling [many aspects - technical, political, recreational, etc] in the Modern Records Centre at Warwick University Library. Spokes has donated a complete set of Spokes leaflets, 1978 to the present day. Info: Andrew Millward, 20 Reddings Road, Birmingham B13 8LN.

PATHWAYS ISSUES

[These items submitted by Tim Smith - contact info at end]

CHRISTIAN PATH CLEAN UP

This path connects Brighton Pl and Windsor Pl and is a safe route to Portobello High School from the east. Just north of Sir Harry Lauder Rd embankment, it was recently acquired by Sustrans

Before Spokes got to work the path was heavily overgrown and the hard surfaces were covered with a thick layer of mud. On Sunday 24 November, which luckily stayed dry, a work group of 11 Spokes/Sustrans members and 6 local schoolchildren carried out a very successful clean-up. The overgrowth of ground vegetation was cleared away and all surplus soil and mud removed.

The tatty fence on one side was cleared of overhanging growth, and tree branches blocking lamp posts and arching too low were trimmed off. We adjourned for lunch to Ian's house where Patsy had laid on an excellent spread of soup, rolls, cheese, coffee, etc.

Photo Chris Hill

By mid afternoon the path was clear, wider, more open and so safer. The surface varies from tarmac at each end to compacted materials in the centre. Depending on the weather it should now be possible to ride through without dismounting or getting splattered!

Finally, we are asking the Council for the path to be signed at each end to encourage more use by people who might not be aware of this useful link. [See Spokes Edinburgh Cycle Map square P4].

VOLUNTEER DATABASE

Calling any members who have volunteered for Pathways work [Box 'O' on membership form if you remember!] or any other members who are now available for occasional path clearance or building tasks and who have email:

Please send a brief email to timsmith@ednet.co.uk stating what times you are available (eg weekend, weekdays, etc) and what tools you have (eg secateurs, loppers, bow saw etc) (We have some tools but it helps if you can bring your own). We can then email whole groups of volunteers (by area) and save on time and phone bills!

NORTH EDINBURGH PATH NETWORK

For some time Spokes has been asking the Council for the paths, or path segments, to be named and signed. This will help visitors and assist in reporting faults, vandalism, etc. [We are always being told by the Council that the cycle paths are treated as part of the road network... oh, really? Roads without names?]

This is now being handled by Matthew Simpson, Cycle Officer. Apparently the paths were named back in Lothian Region days, but Matthew is reconsidering. We don't know these mysterious names (possibly based on the railway heritage?) but Spokes Pathways is planning to submit suggestions of our own (no guarantee they will be accepted). Any members with ideas for names (sensible ones!) please contact either: Tim Smith 554 7264 timsmith@ednet.co.uk or Peter Hawkins 443 6712 peterhawk@care4free.net.

ACTION NEEDEDQUARTERMILE EDINBURGH Revised plans have been submitted for Quartermile, the old Royal Infirmary site. The full plans can be seen at the Council Planning Dept at 1 Cockburn Street during working hours [we have not yet seen them]. Please have a look and send in your comments to Director of Planning at that address. There is also a free newsletter from 07775.830.541 or enquiries@qmile.com - unfortunately it says virtually nothing about cycle routes to and through this huge and important site.

BIKE USE IN OLDER AGE The Institute of Gerontology at Kings's College London is to look at the scope for increased cycle use in older age. Spokes has already highlighted this topic in comments to the Physical Activity Task Force [www.spokes.org.uk], and have copied this to the Institute. If you have other ideas or information, contact claudine.mccreadie@kcl.ac.uk 020.7848.3239.

GYLE TO ROSEBURN CYCLE ROUTE Corstorphine Community Council is considering lobbying for a quiet route via the disused rail line, Dovecot Road, etc. Spokes has long lobbied for such a route, though the need for A8 Greenway improvements also remains. If you want to send ideas to CCC, please write to David Cameron, 4 Dovecot Road, EH12 7LE and copy to Spokes.

WAVERLEY STATION The Scottish Parliament has debated the future of Waverley [motion S1M-3406, 31 October, cols 14914-14934], thanks to a motion by Sarah Boyack, Edinburgh Central MSP. There is little doubt that the next few years will see massive change, to allow more platforms and through-trains, and probably commercial developments. However, of all the MSPs who spoke, only Sarah Boyack mentioned the need for good cycle access: "the proposals have to provide better interchange facilities and links with buses, taxis, bike routes and pedestrian routes" - and she even raised similar issues for Haymarket station! We would like to see cycle access to and through Waverley from the Innocent path, Princes Street and Leith Walk, as well as on-site facilities for parking, bike hire, etc, possibly associated with the Bike Station [Spokes 83]. We aren't quite sure who is currently in charge of the plans, so send your ideas to Sarah Boyack MSP, Scottish Parliament EH99 1SP and ask her to ensure that the relevant people take them into account. Copy your letter to Spokes.

SPOKES PUBLIC MEETING

Our Nov 21 public meeting was very useful, though we didn't get much further on National Cycling Targets, its official topic! Erl Wilkie of Glasgow City told us the proportions cycling to work had increased between 1996 and 2002 from 0.8% to 2.5% in Glasgow and 2.0% to 4.0% in Edinburgh, achieving the national doubling target (though numbers have probably declined elsewhere - e.g. in many rural towns - so nationally the target has not succeeded). Glasgow has hugely upped its next target - instead of quadrupling 1996 to 2012 it aims to double its 2002 figure, as does Edinburgh.

Bristow Muldoon MSP, chair of Scottish Parliament Transport and Environment Committee, had briefed himself well on the issues in Spokes 83! We hope his Committee will now look at how the Executive is (or isn't) performing on cycling/walking policy. They have given a £1.4m one-off grant to Sustrans to upgrade several paths (mainly in the West), but whilst hugely welcome this reinforces our concern over no announcement on what is to happen for councils now that the Public Transport Fund has been ended. Of £7m to be spent by councils on cycle projects in 02/03 [Spokes 83] some £4m is from the PTF, and another £1m from the CWSS fund, also now at an end. Councils still don't know what, if anything, will replace these funds!! [see also Spokesworker 17.11.02].

Please contact your MSP - and/or Bristow Muldoon - about this

PUBLIC CONSULTATIONS

SPORT 21 REVIEW

Contains little on active living, except as regards living within 20 mins walk of sports facilities. Details: 0131.472.3268 alan.miller@sportscotland.org.uk . Closing date: 17.1.2003.

COUNCIL TAX FOR SECOND PROPERTIES

At present second-home owners get 50% council tax discount, often said to contribute to the decline of rural villages and towns, and so to continuing motorisation of these areas. The government is consulting on removing this concession. Details: Wilma Smart, Area 3-J(N), Victoria Quay, Edinburgh EH6 6QQ, or email secondhomes-consult@scotland.gsi.gov.uk. Closing date: 20.2.03.

FORTH VALLEY HEALTH CARE STRATEGY

Just outside our area - but includes a huge decision on location of a massive new hospital to serve the entire area (Falkirk/Stirling). Some of the options [Larbert] seem within easy walk from rail, and with a much bigger local population, whilst others are more greenfield. After Edinburgh Infirmary controversy, members with Forth Valley connections may wish to comment! Details: 0800.456033 or www.yourhealthservice.com.

AIR TRANSPORT CONSULTATION

See back page of Spokes 83 for more on this "mammoth flag-waving exercise for the air transport industry" - totally neglecting the massive impacts on climate change and the £7bn annual subsidy due to tax-exemptions on fuel, new aircraft, etc. We also print below a slightly shortened version of Peter Hawkins's submission to the consultation. In the last few days, the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution has issued a damning new report on the proposals, calling for a freeze on airport expansion and a tax of £40-£100 per ticket [Guardian 30.11.2002] to reduce environmental impacts. See also www.ipcc.ch and www.airportwatch.org.uk.

THE CONSULTATION CLOSING DATE HAS NOW BEEN EXTENDED BEYOND 30 NOV (new date not yet announced), so YOU still have time to respond. Details: www.airconsult.gov.uk. or phone 0845.100.5554. In the questionnaire we suggest you choose the "UK-wide constrained" option near the beginning. The wording of the questions doesn't allow a decent response on environmental aspects, so please also submit an email or letter.

Response to Consultation Document - by Peter Hawkins, for CTC

"The document is heavily weighted towards expansion of air transport and does little to address environmental impacts. These issues are given a bare two pages in the 60-page summary, and even then, the more important aspects are not addressed at all!

Undoubtedly the most significant impact of unrestrained air travel (and freight) is that of air quality and climate change. The document does not even mention the latter, and air quality is restricted to local (p.23), with the comment that 'no material ... measured excesses in certain pollutants are expected at any of the major Scottish airports under any of the scenarios'.

There is great emphasis on the economic activity to be generated by air travel growth, but the fact is that aviation contributes only 1% to the national economy (p.8 - 1.2% of Scotland's GDP). Furthermore, there is no admission that air travel represents a net loss to the economy through tourism, because more Scots fly out (to other tourist destinations), than tourists who fly in. UK-wide, 7 billion more goes out of the economy than comes in. Would it not therefore be more sensible to restrain demand, encourage Scots to take more holidays locally, and thus boost our local economy?

Aviation has a highly privileged position in the economy. Airlines pay no duty on VAT or aviation fuel, no VAT on airline tickets, and no VAT on new aircraft. Across Europe, the aviation sector receives about 30 billion in subsidies annually, and as a result, air tickets are 42% cheaper, in real terms, than they were 10 years ago. This is why air travel is growing at an unsustainable rate.

Emissions of C02, carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons and water vapour are responsible for 3-5% of global climate change impacts. Emissions of nitrogen oxides in the upper atmosphere are thought to reduce ozone concentrations and hence increase radiation from ultra-violet at ground level; and these emissions at lower levels add to regional smog problems and form low-level ozone on calm days.

Back in 1994, the RCEP report on transport and the environment stated "an unquestioning attitude towards future growth in air travel...is incompatible with the aim of sustainable development", and that "the demand...might not be growing at the present rate if airlines and their customers had to face the costs of the damage to the environment" (p.75). It recommended external environmental costs should be paid by a fuel levy (negotiated within the EC, and more widely) (p.117). It also recommended that short-haul journeys could be replaced by rail if rail networks were upgraded (p.207).

Eight years on from that Report, and where are we? Still in the same old scenario of 'predict and provide', a policy discredited for road transport because it has been realised that demand can never be met without totally unacceptable environmental consequences, and because the economic advantages of doing so are not justified. Exactly the same is true of air travel, so how long will it be before government comes to recognise it? The only realistic solution is to manage demand, and if this results in reducing the net loss from tourism, the local economy will actually see a benefit.

In the eight years since that Report, we have seen the effects of climate change at first hand. Floods predicted for once in 100-200 years have happened up to 3 times in 5 years. What is our response? Spend billions of public money (which could be used for health, education, and sensible transport) on flood defences? We must address the causes of climate change before things get even worse!

There are of course many other external costs of air travel, some more direct than climate change. Terrorism is an obvious example. The West's insatiable consumption of oil, in which aviation is a major player, has led to global destabilisation, especially in the Middle East, and local environmental disasters from oil tanker accidents. Those who live below aircraft flight paths suffer the constant stress of noise, and the lesser threat of a disastrous crash.

In all these cases we have to ask: does the cheap holiday flight justify the environmental cost - costs borne by all of us, and some (those living close to airports) in particular? In our view, and that of many others concerned for the environment, the answer is 'no'.

We therefore call on the government to:

• Assess the true value of aviation to the economy, counting all factors;
• Recognise that aviation is one of our most polluting industries;
• Internalise the external costs as far as possible;
• Accept that further growth is totally unsustainable, and that demand must be managed by fiscal incentives;
• Use this income to promote jobs in 'clean' businesses and rail travel;
• Work in Europe and more widely to end the subsidies to aviation;
• Limit the noise and number of flights any community has to suffer."

Peter Hawkins (Regional rep) peterhawk@care4free.net 443.6712

118/1 Stenhouse Cres, Edinburgh EH11 3HU 19 Nov. 2002

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