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SPOKESWORKER 23rd. August 1998


Spokesworker is an occasional ("roughly monthly") news sheet, with stop-press news of forthcoming events, and of road, traffic and planning matters. It is not automatically sent to all members. A copy is enclosed if we are writing to you anyway, and copies are handed out at meetings of working groups. It is also published here on the website. Also, you can make sure of getting a copy by sending Spokes 10 or so stamped addressed envelopes.  

FOR YOUR DIARY [See also our Diary page]

Sep 6 September's Sunday ride is to Linlithgow - lawn picnic at Dave/Susan du Feu. Free tea/coffee; bring own food. Meet Usher Hall 10am. Details: Stuart 0131.445.7073.

Sep 21 Act Local Think Global, Local Agenda 21 Conference Linlithgow. Aimed at families. Speakers from UN, Centre for Human Ecology, FOE, Edinburgh University, etc; workshops ages 5 up. 01506.843343, or anwen.shahim@btinternet.com

Oct 12 Bikes/Bus/Rail conference, Glasgow. Mainly for transport operators and those organising bike/rail or bike/bus events. If anyone from the Weekend Rides group can attend they will have priority, but if not Spokes might pay for another interested member to attend. Contact Dave 01506.670165. Conference details: 0131.343.2601 [Kirsten Goll, Harrison Co.].

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RIDE THE NET

Sustrans is already planning a huge series of events, Ride the Net, to celebrate both the Millennium and the first 3000 miles of the National Cycle Network. The peak of events will be in the week around Midsummers day, June 17-25. Events will include several 1000-mile 10-day rides, festivals, workcamps, etc. Sustrans is looking for ideas, volunteer organisers, and partner organisations for local, regional and national events. To offer help or ideas, phone 0117.926.8893 or see www.sustrans.org.uk.

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MAP BONANZA

We now have a wide range of truly excellent local cycle maps on sale. For orders up to £5 add 50p postage. Orders over £5 post-free. All cheques payable to Spokes.

Edinburgh Cycle Map (1996) £3

Original Spokes Edinburgh map (1986?) Historic interest! 50p

Midlothian Cycle Map (Spokes 1998) £5

Livingston Cycle Map (Harveys 1998) £4

Glasgow Cycle Map (CycleCity, 1997) £5

Sustrans interim route, Clyde-Forth (1998) £6

Sustrans interim route, Inverness-Glasgow (1997) £6

Sustrans interim route, Glasgow-Carlisle (1997) £6

Sustrans interim C2C route, Whitehaven-Newcastle (1996) £3

CycleCity 7-postcard set Delightful postcards (not maps) of cover illustrations of the CycleCity maps £2.30 (slightly ageist)

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PUBLICATIONS

Our printer gave us 500+ more of Spokes 69 than we ordered. If you can use any for bike-leafleting or to insert in other mailings, contact Dave 01506.670165.

ScotRail bikes-on-trains leaflet now available free from all(?) stations, or send SAE to Spokes requesting a copy or see details on this website.

The government's National Cycling Forum has issued 4 very useful technical guidance documents on planning for cyclists: Issues in Retailing; Issues for Town Planners; Issues for Public Transport Planners & Operators; Issues for Traffic Engineers. Free from 0171.676.2478 (delivery 10 working days).

If on the Internet you can get weekly notification of all new transport-related government documents. To join the mailing list, see instructions at www.mailbase.ac.uk/lists/bopcas-transport.

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NATIONAL PLANNING GUIDELINES

The Scottish Office has at last issued new (draft) guidance to Councils on Planning and Transport. Admittedly this is 2 years after previous draft guidelines, and 4 years after final equivalent English guidance, but we have to say it is worth the wait. Whilst the Transport White Paper can be criticised in many respects, this new detailed advice to Councils, on a first look, is extremely positive. The guidance is in two documents called Transport and Planning - one in the NPPG series giving advice on policy and objectives, and one in the PAN series going into detail on the practicalities of how councils should link transport and planning.

Once finalised, the guidance will be a powerful influence on councils in drawing up Local and Structure Plans, and in dealing with Planning Applications for new developments - including crucial issues such as where new development is located. Even although in draft form, they can still be usefully quoted when commenting/objecting to plans by councils or developers.

If you wish to study and comment on the 2 documents (by 16 October), they are free from 0131.244.7538 (Mrs Williams). Please copy us any comments that you submit on the documents.

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WHITE PAPER INVESTIGATION

A House of Commons Committee is to examine issues from the Transport White Paper. If you feel strongly about any aspect of the White Paper, you are asked to send a 'brief memorandum' on your point by 25 September to "Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs Committee, House of Commons, London SW1A 0AA", asking for it to be investigated by the Committee. It is wise to stick to one issue; at most two. Please copy us your letter.

In our 23.7.98 Spokesworker we listed several concerns. For example - the need to experiment in charging superstores etc. for car-parking spaces at the same time as the proposed experiments in road tolls and employer parking charges. The Committee is investigating the UK White Paper, not the Scottish one, so Scottish-only points such as the uncertainty over funding for cycle projects should be raised with your MP, not through this Committee.

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MIDLOTHIAN/EAST LOTHIAN

Consultants are drawing up detailed plans for Midlothian's proposed new A701 (see Spokes 69), Straiton to Penicuik (New Milton) and want comments on all existing cycleroutes or relevant paths/possibilities in the area, to take into account in the planning. If you have any comments on these aspects, please write now to: Ironside Farrar, 12 Gayfield Square, EH1 3NX, with a copy to Spokes. This does not prevent you objecting to the principle of the road - but if it is built, cyclists must be considered fully.

In E.Lothian, consultants are drawing up proposed networks and strategic links for cycling, walking, etc. Public meetings are being held on Aug 26 [N.Berwick], Sep 1 [E.Linton Village Hall], Sep 2 [Wallyford Community Centre]. For times/details: phone Halcrow-Fox 0131.226.5012 (Neil Gray). If you cannot attend, write with suggestions [4 Chester St, Edinburgh EH3 7RA].

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HEALTHY LIVING CENTRES

Government plans for a lottery-funded network of Healthy Living Centres (HLCs) are progressing: nearly £35m will be available to Scotland, with funding bids starting early 1999. Spokes hopes some of the Centres will incorporate cycling elements - e.g. cheap hire-bikes, training in riding, maintenance, etc. Already under the Cycle Challenge scheme a doctors' surgery in Dundee is lending out bikes instead of pills to suitable patients. In England, several city cycle-centres are now operating successfully: their prime aim is secure city-centre parking rather than a health initiative, but some of them have features relevant to HLCs.

The HLCs are only likely to incorporate cycling elements where there is local interest/expertise, as local communities will be closely involved in all HLC planning/operation. It will be an ideal opportunity for interested Spokes members willing to give volunteer or professional time to such an initiative. For further details of the HLC plans, phone 0131.244.2502 (Denise Hunt) and ask for a copy of the circular letter of 7.8.98 on HLCs. If any member is thinking of getting involved, please keep us in touch.



 
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