Spokes, The Lothian Cycle Campaign, St Martins Church, 232 Dalry Road, Edinburgh EH11 2JG 0131.313.2114 http://www.spokes.org.uk/

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 working group meetings. You can make sure to get a copy by sending us 10 or so stamped addressed envelopes. Spokesworker also appears on our Internet web site - if you wish to be notified of such updates by email, contact spokes@spokes.org.uk

Government policy has moved on considerably since our main article in Spokes 74 - with some good, some bad, and considerable more scope for future change. We are in a period of change and opportunity, with potential to move either forward or back. We strongly urge you to write now to your MSP, based on the points in the Spokes 74 article and here.

THESE ARE THE RECENT CHANGES...

• The UK government has scrapped the fuel escalator which meant annual increases of 6% over inflation in petrol tax. This is bad news for the Climate Change objective of the policy. BUT the Chancellor says there will be lower increases - and all sums raised will go to roads and transport. This could fund huge cycling/walking initiatives, like the Dutch Cycling Master Plan and similar European initiatives of recent years. It could fund major public transport investment. And/or it could mean a whole new round of trunk-road building. There is no doubt the road lobby will be lobbying for this. It is up to you to argue for significant cycle initiatives.
• The Scottish government has produced the much-delayed Trunk Road Review. As explained in Spokes 74 (including p8 stop press) trunk road funding has been significantly increased, and trunk-road building now re-starts, albeit at a much lower level than under the Conservatives. Of the really big schemes reviewed, only the M77 gets the go-ahead, with further investigations and 'multi-modal studies' for the M8, M80 and M74. In the approved schemes, more effort than usual has gone into cycling, for example by retaining previous roads for bikes, or building parallel cycle routes, crossing points, etc.
• The Scottish government has announced how next year's Public Transport Fund will be allocated to councils. Quite a number of schemes (mainly Greenways-type schemes) should will help cyclists a lot. They have also approved the first-ever cycling-only application to the Fund, Midlothian's project for a pedestrian-cycle bridge over the City Bypass at Sherriffhall. This should now be built next year! BUT so far the government has refused to rename it the Sustainable Transport Fund; or to increase its funding - this is extremely disappointing given the big increases in trunk road funds.
• The Scottish government has said that early in 2000 they will announce plans for the Public Transport Fund's future, as well as conditions for Councils wishing to apply for its third year [it is initially set up as a 3-year scheme].
• There are also newspaper hints [Sunday Herald 14.11.99] that the Scottish and UK governments are starting to take Climate Change much more seriously; especially the threat that the Gulf Stream may divert, causing huge drops in UK temperatures despite 'global' warming. It is reported that action on climate change will be much more fully integrated into government policies. If true, that should have big implications for transport policy. The government must be constantly reminded of the potential role of cycling in reducing car use for work, shopping and leisure.

Please write NOW to your MSP about any of the above points that concern you. Ask them to raise your points with the Minister, and to let you know the result. If you feel strongly, also ask in your letter if you can visit your MSP to discuss the result. Please copy your letter and the reply to us.

We suggest you use as the 'hook' in your letter the Labour manifesto promise in the Scottish Parliament elections of "extended support" for walking and cycling [Spokes 74]. Point out that if the government is to live up to this promise in the life of this Parliament, they must act soon. So far they are continuing the same level of support as the Scottish Office gave before the election - not extended support. For example, the Public Transport Fund (which also covers cycling) has not been increased since before the election, even though trunk road funding has risen substantially.

Say you understand the future of the Public Transport Fund is to be announced soon. Ask for it to be renamed Sustainable Transport Fund, with greatly increased cash, and/or for a huge national cycle initiative (like European national schemes) using funds from petrol tax rises.

TO FIND YOUR MSP's NAME/ADDRESS...

For any queries about who is your MSP: 0131.348.5000

The LOCAL MSPs in and around Edinburgh are: ( Home and e-mail addresses)

Ed Central - Sarah Boyack Ed East - Susan Deacon

Ed North - Malcolm Chisholm Ed Pentlands - Iain Gray

Ed South - Angus Mackay Ed West - Margaret Smith

Linlithgow - Mary Mulligan Livingston- Bristow Muldoon

Midlothian - Rhona Brankin E Lothian-John Home Robertson

You can also write to any or all of the Lothians LIST MSPs:

James Douglas-Hamilton, Con David McLetchie, Con

David Steel, LibDem Kenny MacAskill, SNP

Margo MacDonald, SNP Fiona Hyslop, SNP

Robin Harper, Green

Write to your MSP at: Scottish Parliament, Edinburgh EH99 1SP.

Whether writing to your Local MSP or List MSPs, put their area in brackets: eg if you live in East Edinburgh, write to:

Susan Deacon MSP (Edinburgh East), or when writing to a list MSP, say, James Douglas-Hamilton MSP (Lothians); then put the address, The Scottish Parliament, Edinburgh EH99 1SP.

SMALL ADS [adverts are free in Spokesworker]

Wanted (free): people, musical instruments, relevant junk, and garage space! Grace Nicol of Sustrans is setting up the Wheely Good Re-Cycling Carnival Band - to take part (on bikes) in processions, carnivals etc. To get involved in any way, or to offer donations, practising-space or garage storage, phone Grace 0131.623.7605.

Please turn over

Note: For other items see Spokes 74

Nov 21 Road Traffic Victims Remembrance Day Coordinated by RoadPeace 020.8838.5102. Ten people each day are killed on Britain's roads. The victims are remembered at services and non-religious gatherings across Europe on 21 Nov. Including services in Aberdeen [01224.646429] and Glasgow. Note: Roadpeace also operates a 7-day helpline to provide practical & emotional support for anyone injured or bereaved through a road crash.

Nov 24 Spokes Autumn Public Meeting - Cycling Policy as part of Edinburgh Transport Strategy - Cllr Mark Lazarowicz, Transport Committee convener. Friends Meeting House, Victoria Terrace. 7.30pm, or 6.45 for coffee, stall, chat. [see article below].

Nov 26 The Environment in Politics day conference, Edinburgh. Speakers include Transport/Environment Minister Sarah Boyack. Spokes will pay for one active member interested in transport/ environment linkages to attend [£35]. Dave du Feu 01506.670165

Nov 29 Edinburgh Council Transport Strategy seminar, 2-5pm. Forms part of the Strategy consultation. It is important for some Spokes members to attend, but space & tickets (free) are limited. To apply, write at once to Local Transport Strategy, City Development Dept, Freepost SCO4882, Edinburgh EH1 0BR, including your phone number.

Dec 7-8 Partnerships for a Better Environment free exhibition /conference 10-4pm at Conference Centre, Morrison Street. Part of Edinburgh Council Environment Week. Focus on transport, energy, technology & sustainability. 529.3030 for details.

UNIVERSITY EVENTS

Edinburgh University Green Activists meet Mondays 8.30pm, Cheviot Rm, Pleasance. Greensoc@holyrood.ed.ac.uk. Lobbying for cycleroutes, public transport and a greener city.

Strathclyde University BUG [Bicycle Users Group] has just been formed to press for better cycle facilities and encourage more bike commuting to the university. www.strath.ac.uk/campus/cycle

More BUGS Staff interested in setting up a BUG at any other workplace can get help from Dave Marsh, SCDP 0141.287.9374. See also Spokes 74 page 2 re. Green Transport Plans document.

Our recent leaflet Spokes 74 gave mixed messages on Council cycle policy. Edinburgh's proud record on cycling among Scotland's councils had begun to slip, with continuing annual cuts to the cycle budget, and few new facilities in the last 12 months.

But since the leaflet was printed, there have been several positive signs. Most important, big increases in both cycle and Safe Routes to Schools budgets have been promised for 2000/01. We are assured the Council is on track to install most of the Sustrans Millennium Network within the city by mid-2000. New cycle lanes [eg Crewe Toll - Comely Bank] and junction schemes [eg Orchard Brae/QF Rd] are also to be funded as part of maintenance schemes [i.e. on top of cycle budget funds]. And a scheme to tackle one of the longest-standing complaints of Spokes members [the Dundee St/West Approach Rd junction] is planned for Spring 2000.

In summary it is our hope that the recent dip in cycle-support is now turning up again - with this boost to cycle funding, plus the additional cycle-team staffing agreed last year [Spokes 70,71], and the radical new Local Transport Strategy now being consulted on.

Please come to our public meeting on Weds 24 Nov [above] to assure Cllr Lazarowicz that there is strong demand for faster action on cycling and sustainable transport in general. Do give him due credit, especially in a very tight funding situation, but also leave him in no doubt of what you feel is required!

WAVERLEY VALLEY DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY

Edinburgh Council is consulting on the above plan, which will form the guidelines that any developer wishing to make changes in the valley is expected to follow if they are to get planning permission. We are in general very pleased with the level of consideration given to cycling. This is due in great part to efforts by Spokes and our members - such as you! - in recent years. For example, our extensive efforts in the Public Inquiry into Central Edinburgh Local Plan, and more recently the letters sent by many members objecting to redevelopment of New St Bus Garage without inclusion of the proposed Parliament Way walk/cycle route [Spokes 72].

The proposed transport policies for the area require easy foot/cycle movement throughout, motor speeds generally 20mph or less, and a real 'sense of place and community'. Cycleroutes specifically mentioned include The Parliament Way, and cycleroute linkage to the Innocent route southwards.

However, although the maps in the document include indicative pedestrian routes there is no such cycle map. It should be made quite clear, preferably in words and on a map, that at least the following cycle connections are essential...

• Waverley to Holyrood - Parliament Way
• Convenient links to Princes Street from the above
• Convenient links from Innocent to Princes St & Waverley
• Convenient link from Innocent to Calton St (and Leith St)

SHRUB HILL BUS DEPOT

This site has been sold to Wimpey, and they are working with Pilrig Residents Assn and the Council to develop proposals acceptable to all concerned. Spokes member Tim Smith has been invited by Pilrig RA to represent our interests. If you have ideas or comments, phone Tim on 554.7264.

DALKEITH AREA PATHS

We have been contacted by Inveresk Pathways Group whose aim is to protect existing paths and lobby for new ones, especially in the light of threats from housing and shopping developments. To get involved with the group, write to Elizabeth Fiddes, 5 Waverley Road, Dalkeith EH22 3DJ.

DALKEITH NEW SCHOOLS CAMPUS

We have been contacted by concerned locals about the new 3000-pupil out-of-town schools campus planned by Midlothian Council at Thorneybank. With increasing recognition of the need to locate facilities conveniently for walking/cycle access, these plans sound very disappointing. For further information, and who to write to, contact J Donoghue, 7 Newbattle Gdns, Eskbank EH22 3DR. 663.2352.

MIDLOTHIAN GENERAL

All told, Midlothian is taking the promotion of long-distance cycling (tourism & commuting) very seriously e.g. their great initiative in applying successfully for funds for an Sherrifhall overbridge (see earlier article), and active support for Sustrans Edinburgh-Newcastle routes. BUT they seem to fall down on linking planning and transport, with projects such as the Dalkeith schools campus and the proposed new A701, seemingly a new round of largely car-dependent development.

Midlothian residents - please write to your local councillor or Cllr David Hamilton, Strategic Services, Midlothian Council, Buccluech St, Dalkeith EH22 1DJ about any of these issues that concern you.

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