!!!PLEASE DO WRITE TO YOUR COUNCILLOR NOW ON THESE PROPOSALS!!! See SPOKES Factsheet No. 1 for the name and address of your local councillor.
Meanwhile in a recent article the department's head, Dr. George Hazel, outlined his policies... new developments designed "to minimise travel demand"; "re-allocation of road space from cars to buses, cyclists, pedestrians"; "enhancement of local centres as the focus of communities"; "carrots and sticks to reduce car travel at source, particularly at the workplace" . etc etc!!!
SPOKES has been greatly concerned over Council plans for the old industrial areas between W. Pilton and the Forth. In complete contradiction to their Environmental Charters, both Edinburgh and Lothian planned a new road system to "improve vehicular access to the area", so as to "heighten perception of the area by developers and businesses".
The proposals included a road along the 'Pilton Path' cycleroute from Crewe Toll to W. Granton Road and continuing to the shore, a large 5-arm roundabout on W. Granton Road, replacement of the cycleroute underpass at W. Granton road by a road crossing, and damage to other cycleroutes. Although new cycleroutes were promised, no details are shown on the 'Granton Masterplan' map.
The roads would contribute substantially to the long-feared 'northern-bypass' of city, encouraging Leith traffic currently using the City Bypass to transfer to built-up areas from Queensferry Road to Leith.
Whilst SPOKES fully supports new employment in Granton, this should not compromise local residents' safety, nor cut through one of the UK's longest urban car-free cycle networks. Much of the money to build and maintain the roads could be spent in other ways to attract employers. And since the whole idea is to create local employment a dense network of walking/cycling routes from nearby housing is essential - otherwise unnecessary local car journeys will be generated, so filling up and 'justifying' the new road space.
SPOKES was so concerned that we circulated all local members, many of whom wrote letters of objection. We also liased with local groups opposed to the roads. Our hopes, however, were low, since parts of the plan (eg. the large roundabout) had reached an advanced stage, agreed by all departments.
Now the roundabout looks likely to be re-jigged to a Dutch pedestrian- cycle-friendly design, and the road from Crewe Toll to W. Granton Road dropped.
The reconsideration at this late stage is a clear sign of a new attitude in Lothian's Transportation Department. But without the objections it might not have happened. We emphasise, too, that the plans are only being 're-considered', and we urge members to keep up the pressure. Please contact your Regional Councillor.
Cyclists, in particular, could well be interested if they live in cycling distance of the car depots, rather than just walking distance (which is the main market for the Club).
Anyone interested in this possibility might like to take up the idea of providing secure bike parking at one or more of the car depots - i.e. bike parking in the form of lockable lockers.
More details of the car club are in SPOKES Leaflet 67 here online. The main contact is Roger Haydon at LEEP, Ol3l-555-4OlO.
Anyone wishing to visit the office on a Thursday morning to purchase SPOKESshop items, instead of using mail order, please phone George in advance to make sure that he will be in. His home phone number is 0131-229-0954.
Items available from the shop include the SPOKES Edinburgh city map (only £3), books, routecards etc. We hope to put a full list of these on this web site soon!
Twice a year there is a UK-wide meeting of Cycle Campaign Groups and CTC rights officers, the Cycle Campaign Network conference. The next is due in April/May, probably late April.
SPOKES is considering offering to act as host for this meeting. We can only do this if we can find some volunteer organisers, preferably to form a small committee to meet occasionally to fix details.
We especially need 2 main organisers;-
Note: the event normally includes a day of discussion/talks/workshops; an evening social event; and a ride looking at local cycle facilities. Numbers likely to attend are around 40-80. Other ideas are to make a special effort to appeal to Scottish campaigning groups/contacts, with a special 'Scotland' session; and/or to combine the event with a celebration of our 21st birthday - the 20th having now passed.
A Cycle Charter has now been developed by Sustrans, the Cyclists' Public Affairs Group and the CTC that lists objectives and a code of practice for all rail operators. Those rail operators that meet these objectives will be awarded a Cycle Mark for one year. Bike/rail users (actual or wishful) are asked to complete a form showing how their local rail operator is performing. This will be used to compare rail operators and issue awards to the best.
Copies of the Code of Practice and survey form are available from SUSTRANS Information Service 0117-929-0888. Some details of the current situation are on the CTC website.
You could also write to ScotRail to express disappointment at the lack
of facilities for cyclists and at the £3 bike charge. The address
is;-
Alastair MacPherson,
Director,
ScotRail,
87 Union Street,
Glasgow G1 3TA
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