Showing posts with label cycling. Show all posts
Showing posts with label cycling. Show all posts
Tuesday 10 June 2014
Get on your bikes and enjoy Chalkhill cycling facility
Tuesday 13 May 2014
Brent Bikers & the Ballot Box: Hustings Wednesday 14th May in Wembley
Brent Cyclists, the local
group of the London Cycling Campaign, are organising a public election
hustings for candidates in the Brent Council elections, to take place
at:
7pm on Wednesday 14 May at CVS Brent, 5 Rutherford Way, Wembley HA9 0BP
cycling.
London Cycling Campaign has been running a capital-wide campaign in the run-up to these elections, under the slogan “Space for Cycling”.
Local campaigners have identified one change to the streets in every
ward which would make their area better for cycling, and in the hustings
Brent Cyclists will be asking candidates to respond to their local ward
demands for Brent, and to the wider policy area of improving conditions
for cycling and walking. The hustings will be open to the public, and
it is hoped to have representatives from all the main parties there, as
well as independent candidates.
Brent Cyclists Co-ordinator David Arditti said:
Our campaign is about making our streets more pleasant places for everyone. We need better streets in order to liberate the suppressed demand for cycling; most people say they would cycle if there was protected space for cycling, but the cycle lanes in Brent are very poor and give little protection, and the minor roads are generally hostile rat-runs full of parked and moving cars.The policies that we need are a combination of providing dedicated, protected space on main roads, removing through-traffic from minor roads, and providing routes through parks and open spaces. These policies would allow children to get to school by bike, allow the elderly and disabled to use electric bikes and powered wheelchairs easily, and everyone else to do the short journeys for which the bike is the most efficient option, in comfort and safety. Or town centres and shopping areas would also be improved and be helped to thrive by creating better cycle access. There is funding from the Mayor of London available, and now is the time for our local politicians to take a lead on providing for cycling.
The public can support our campaign, by emailing their council candidates through www.space4cycling.org
Labels:
Brent Cyclists,
CVS,
cycling,
David Arditt,
hustings,
Mayor Of London,
routes
Tuesday 26 November 2013
Brent's cycling hopes punctured by Mayor's Office
The Brent Highways Committee, which meets on December 10th, will hear disappointing news about the prospects for cycling highways in Brent. Brent Council was not chosen for the Mayor's 'mini-Holland' scheme and it now appears that secondary projects are also encountering problems.
Brent's initial proposals to the GLA included:
Brent Council was interested in promoting local routes while Gilligan wanted routes into Central London. Brent Council believe the latter would be of only limited benefit to Brent residents.
Officers summarise their reservations over content and progress of the proposals: LINK
Brent's initial proposals to the GLA included:
- · The Jubilee/Metropolitan Superhighway - a direct route between Wembley and Willesden to include a “green bridge” crossing over the North Circular.
- · The Jubilee/Metropolitan Quietway - to run parallel to the Jubilee line between Northwick Park and Wembley Park, and again between Dollis Hill station and Kilburn station.
- · The Bakerloo Superhighway - along the Harrow Road between Wembley and Kensal Green towards central London; and
- An Orbital Quietway - to run along the canal between Alperton and Stonebridge Park, and also along the River Brent
Brent Council was interested in promoting local routes while Gilligan wanted routes into Central London. Brent Council believe the latter would be of only limited benefit to Brent residents.
Officers summarise their reservations over content and progress of the proposals: LINK
Brent officers are very supportive of the Mayor’s cycle initiative. It complements sustainable transport, employment opportunities, public health and regeneration objectives for the Borough as well as contributing to improving cycle safety. At the same time we have some concerns about its delivery. These concerns are as follows:a) Officers are concerned that there is a focus on strategic routes into central London rather than more local cycle routes, which is where the greatest growth in cycling is likely to be achieved – only a certain population of our residents work in central London and we believe that the proportion that could be persuaded to cycle to central London would not be as great as the number of local cycle trips that we could encourage through local infrastructure investment;b) Selection of routes and local priorities does not appear to be as collaborative as expected, with priorities being set and defined by the Mayor’s office rather than being discussed and agreed in partnership with Brent;c) TfL have appointed consultants to develop the feasibility and design of local cycle routes, which intimates that Boroughs will not have the freedom and flexibility to commission and develop cycle projects on Borough roads – Brent has recently entered into the London Highways Alliance contract, which has the flexibility to enable delivery of consultancy services and we are concerned as to why alternate consultants are being used outside of the LoHAC framework;d) We are also concerned about decision making powers and processes by which local councillors and communities will be engaged given that design consultants are being employed by TfL to develop schemes on local roads; ande) At present, none of the boroughs have received any of the published funding and there is no indication of how and when any funding will be made available and what the role of Boroughs will be in utilising and receiving this funding. To date all development costs have been borne by the Boroughs and we have been given no indication as to when funding will be made available.
Labels:
Andrew Gilligan,
Brent Council,
cycling,
highways,
London Highways Alliance,
North Circular,
wembley
Friday 8 November 2013
This should get Chalkhill residents on their bikes!
The site plan |
The BMX track |
The scooter track |
The initial deadline for comments is November 20th 2013 and the planning officer is Matthew Harvey: matthew.harvey@brent.gov.uk
Only two comments so far appear on the website. One is a simple objection while the other states:
Support: I currently live in a neighbouring borough and would be prepared to cycle 3 miles here to use this facility. I have grown up riding BMX in East London and moved to North London recently I have seen the benefits first hand of what places like this can do for local kids and communities. I've seen kids from all kids of backgrounds become friends, avoid turning to crime and help stay healthy because they had somewhere to go and something to do on the weekends.I hope there will be similar positive comments from local residents including children.
This is a summary of the facilities from the Planning Application:
Family Cycle Trail
The Family cycle trail
will be a ‘Green Grade Trail’ based on the International Mountain Bicycling
Association’s (IMBA) grading of routes/trails. The difficulty level of the
proposed trail equates to ‘Leisure and Easy’ and will be built to IMBA Standards
for Green Grade Trails.
The Family Trail (Green
Trail) will snake its way around the Sports field as indicated on the design.
Boulder stones will be placed to add features to the trail and help create a
natural segregation from riders and pedestrians. Best possible use will be made
of existing land forms and features onsite. All aspects of the trail will be
integrated into the exiting land forms as much as possible for example
elevations and deviations of the existing parkland.
BMX Track
The proposal relates to
the creation of a BMX Track facility to The Royal Society for the Prevention of
Accidents (ROSPA) and British Cycling standards. Further, a post installation
inspection will be carried out before the facility is handed over to ensure it
meets the standards and safety parameters set by British Cycling and ROSPA
The proposed design has
been created to suit all abilities of riders from beginners to experts as all
obstacles are to be 'rollable', meaning not so confident riders can roll over
each obstacle and still carry sufficient speed for the next. The nature of the
obstacles and angle of the berms will allow more experienced riders to carry
further speed and negotiate the obstacles in a number of different ways. Each
element of the track will be progressive and allow riders to increase their
skill level during each visit.
The Start Hill has been
positioned to be easily accessible from the entrance to the area. This helps to
reduce conflict between riders as well as other users of the sport ground as
the easiest way to the track
start it the most desired
route.
The position of the Start
Hill also helps to reduce the possibility of riders crossing the track as the
Start Hill is the area riders congregate and when positioned as close to the
entrance as possible riders are magnetized towards the correct starting position before riding the track. The
Track start slope is low to help control the speed of riders entering the first
straight. This will give less skilled riders the confidence to try the track as
they will not be entering th e obstacles at great speeds. The obstacles have
also been designed low. This keeps the speed controlled by not allowing riders
to gain lots of speed from long down slopes which high jumps would allow.
Inexperienced riders can
roll each obstacle safely whilst still carrying enough speed to negotiate the
next. The track will also be of interest to more experienced riders as they can
try to ride the track in different combinations and carry extra speed round the
berms.
Scooter Track
The Scooter Track will be
placed at the end of the asphalted access path to the area to allow for ease of
access by the users such as young children and families.
These asphalted access
paths will allow users of scooters and other small wheeled bikes ease of access
to the Scooter track as they will be of a smooth finish.
The access path will cross
over the start or return of the family cycle trail. this will be negotiated
with the use of stone boulders to slow both riders on the family trail and
users of the scooter track by means of a squeeze area.
The Scooter Track itself
will consist of small low obstacles linking from one to another. There will
also be a low start hill to allow riders to gain sufficient speed to negotiate
the obstacles along the Track. The entire Scooter Track will be finished in
asphalt to allow a smooth finish for the small wheeled Scooters and Bikes. The
smoother the finish the easier smaller wheels will be able to travel over the
surface.
Storage Container
The storage container will
be supplied to provide a future cycling club valuable storage space for
equipment such as bikes, helmets and other safety equipment.
Floodlighting is not
proposed and the lack of this provision should minimise recreational noise
during the hours of darkness.
Labels:
BMX,
Brent Council,
Chalkhill,
Chalkhill Sports Ground,
cycling,
family,
planning application,
scooter,
St David's Close
Monday 2 September 2013
Brent misses short-list for Mayor's 'mini-Holland' cycling funding
Sadly Brent failed to be short-listed for the Mayor of London's 'mini-Holland' cycling funding despite a comprehensive bid out forward by the borough using many of the ideas provided by the Brent Cyclists Group.
The shortlisted boroughs (in alphabetical order) are Bexley, Ealing, Enfield, Kingston, Merton and Newham. Richmond and Waltham Forest are also shortlisted subject to addressing certain gaps in their initial proposals.
The three or four winners, to be announced early next year, will benefit from very high levels of spending concentrated on relatively small areas to make them, over time, into places every bit as cycle-friendly as their Dutch equivalents. The £100 million will be shared between them, though not necessarily equally.
Brent will still receive some funding but not at the level of the winning boroughs.
The shortlisted boroughs (in alphabetical order) are Bexley, Ealing, Enfield, Kingston, Merton and Newham. Richmond and Waltham Forest are also shortlisted subject to addressing certain gaps in their initial proposals.
The three or four winners, to be announced early next year, will benefit from very high levels of spending concentrated on relatively small areas to make them, over time, into places every bit as cycle-friendly as their Dutch equivalents. The £100 million will be shared between them, though not necessarily equally.
Brent will still receive some funding but not at the level of the winning boroughs.
The
three or four winners, to be announced early next year, will benefit
from very high levels of spending concentrated on relatively small areas
to make them, over time, into places every bit as cycle-friendly as
their Dutch equivalents. The £100 million will be shared between them,
though not necessarily equally.
The shortlisted boroughs (in alphabetical order) are Bexley, Ealing, Enfield, Kingston, Merton and Newham. Richmond and Waltham Forest are also shortlisted subject to addressing certain gaps in their initial proposals.
- See more at: http://www.london.gov.uk/media/mayor-press-releases/2013/09/mayor-shortlists-eight-boroughs-to-go-dutch-in-100m-mini-holland#sthash.ncm5bJdb.dpuf
The shortlisted boroughs (in alphabetical order) are Bexley, Ealing, Enfield, Kingston, Merton and Newham. Richmond and Waltham Forest are also shortlisted subject to addressing certain gaps in their initial proposals.
- See more at: http://www.london.gov.uk/media/mayor-press-releases/2013/09/mayor-shortlists-eight-boroughs-to-go-dutch-in-100m-mini-holland#sthash.ncm5bJdb.dpuf
The
three or four winners, to be announced early next year, will benefit
from very high levels of spending concentrated on relatively small areas
to make them, over time, into places every bit as cycle-friendly as
their Dutch equivalents. The £100 million will be shared between them,
though not necessarily equally.
The shortlisted boroughs (in alphabetical order) are Bexley, Ealing, Enfield, Kingston, Merton and Newham. Richmond and Waltham Forest are also shortlisted subject to addressing certain gaps in their initial proposals.
- See more at: http://www.london.gov.uk/media/mayor-press-releases/2013/09/mayor-shortlists-eight-boroughs-to-go-dutch-in-100m-mini-holland#sthash.ncm5bJdb.dpuf
The shortlisted boroughs (in alphabetical order) are Bexley, Ealing, Enfield, Kingston, Merton and Newham. Richmond and Waltham Forest are also shortlisted subject to addressing certain gaps in their initial proposals.
- See more at: http://www.london.gov.uk/media/mayor-press-releases/2013/09/mayor-shortlists-eight-boroughs-to-go-dutch-in-100m-mini-holland#sthash.ncm5bJdb.dpuf
Labels:
Boris Johnson,
Brent Council,
Brent Cyclists,
cycling,
Dutch,
mini-Holland
Thursday 4 April 2013
Brent Cyclists propose an achievable cycling revolution in the borough
Crossing the Welsh Harp |
They argue that a 'mini Holland' is required in Central Brent:
The plan required to tackle these barriers to link the communities of mid-Brent with practical cycling and walking routes will be a major piece of work in itself. Brent Cyclists’ suggestions for priority changes needed for the mini-Holland in Wembley and Neasden are as follows:
A)
Alterations to the Neasden north and south roundabouts, to the cycle / pedestrian underpass at Neasden (or complete replacement) and to Dudden Hill Lane, Neasden Lane North and Blackbird Hill to create a viable cycle route to Wembley Park and the north of the borough, from the south and from central London. This will be discussed later under the heading “Jubilee Line Quietway”. This will be a completion of a Quietway using main roads and needs to be entirely segregated. This is a very large scheme in itself.
B)
A new link between Wembley park and Neasden spanning, or going under, the Metropolitan Line to fill in the long gap between the North Circular Road and Bridge Road crossings. This already features in the Wembley area Masterplan, but needs to be a priority step, before extensive redevelopment.
C)
A new link across the Chiltern Line between Wembley Park and the Harrow Road area, at Sherrans Farm Open Space
D)
Extension and improvement of the cycle route on the Brent River Path in both directions. At the north end, quality links to both new crossing A) above and to Bridge Road via North Road. At the south end, an improved, more efficient crossing of Harrow Road and an improved, safer linkage to the Stonebridge/ Abbey Road cycle bridge.
E)
Segregated cycle tracks along Forty Avenue and East Lane, or, where there is insufficient width, mandatory cycle lanes with removal of all parking.
F)
Prioritisation of cycling, walking and buses on Ealing road by removing the north-south through route for cars, forcing them to use Bridgewater Road instead, which is a more suitable route.
G)
Closing the through-route via St Johns Road and Llanover Road to cars to create a bike priority route parallel to the West Coast Main Line and opening up a route through the North Wembley Industrial Estate from there to Windermere Avenue, with appropriate crossing facilities at East Lane, to extend this route northwards.
H)
Linking Neasden Recreation Ground with Welsh Harp Open Space with a new path built in collaboration with the Canal and River Trust (who control the reservoir) which would either use the dam or a new bridge across the Brent. This should also, with the cooperation in addition of Barnet council, become part of a circular leisure cycling and walking route all round the reservoir. Brent Cyclists have already suggested several detailed options for this scheme.
I)
Replacing one or both of the spiral pedestrian footbridges across the North Circular Road at Kenwyn Avenue and the St Raphaels Estate with wide cycling and walking bridges with long, straight ramps. There is enough space in both these locations for this. These bridges must be connected with good, wide paths to the minor roads at either end.
Extensive proposals are also made for North Brent:
A)These proposals merit serious consideration and would contribute enormously to Brent's Climate Change Strategy by encouraging more people to leave their cars behind and take to their bikes, secure in the knowledge that safe and secure routes are in place. As well as making commuting cycling more attractive it would also increase leisure cycling improving health and tackling obesity.
A N-S route from Blackbird Cross on the A4140 via Salmon Street, Fryent Way, and
Honeypot Lane. Segregated cycle tracks or mandatory cycle lanes with no parking all the way are needed. On Fryent Way where there is the obvious opportunity to create cycle paths between the existing road and footpaths, and this could be the first part of the scheme. This route requires the collaboration of Harrow in Honeypot Lane, and it should be taken by Harrow all the way to Stanmore. Kingsbury Circle is currently a dangerous interruption on this route and needs either signalising or replacing with a Dutch-style roundabout (which TfL is currently experimenting with at the Transport Research laboratory in Berkshire).
B)
An E-W route on the A4006 (Kingsbury road and Kenton Road). These roads are wide enough for general segregation if the whole width of the road is redesigned. This requires the co-operation of Harrow on Kenton Road, and the route should link to Harrow town centre. Radical changes to the very dangerous Northwick Park roundabout (shared with Harrow) would be necessary, with cycle tracks on the roundabout, and signalisation.
C)
A new cycle path through West Hendon Playing Fields, N-S, along the Brent-Barnet boundary (to link with B) above) and with the existing path through Welsh Harp Open Space and to Birchen Grove, linking with the Jubilee Line route (see later).
D)
The LCN route on Draycott Avenue, Windermere Avenue and Grasmere Avenue needs cutting as a through-route for cars.
E)
A N-S route from Burnt Oak to Wembley is needed. Slough Lane /Salmon Street is already low-traffic due to aggressive traffic-calming, it being easier for cars to use Church Lane for that stretch, but the northern continuation in Roe Green and Stag Lane is too busy. The Stag Lane / Roe Green route needs cutting for motor through-traffic (buses could be allowed). The general traffic on this route should be on the A5 and A4006
F)
An route E-W route from Colindale to Queensbury via Holmstall Avenue and Beverley Drive is needed. Beverley Drive is wide enough for segregated cycle tracks,
G)
Cycling in Roe Green Park needs regularising, with widened paths and a proper link to the road at the Roe Green / Kingsbury Road junction.
H)
Church Lane (B454) is an important link road between Kingsbury and Neasden, but is hostile to cycling because of high vehicle speeds combined with chicaines created by traffic islands and intermittent parking. The islands and hatching should be removed and replaced by zebra crossings, and on-street parking should be removed and replaced with cycle lanes or tracks.
I)
Old Church Lane (which has one of the better cycle facilities in Brent, a two-way track at its western end already) serves no function in the traffic system and should be closed to motor traffic. It is a cut-through for traffic turning left on to Blackbird Hill, but traffic can make that turn from Tudor Gardens
Brent Cyclists deserve congratulation and thanks for this far-sighted and thorough report which must have required an enormous amount of work by a small voluntary organisation.
It has not been possible to do the full 25 page report full justice in this summary. The full report can be found HERE
Labels:
barriers,
Brent Cyclists,
cars,
Civic Centre,
cycle routes,
cycling,
health,
London Borough of Brent,
Neasden,
North Circular Road,
Northwick Park Roundabout,
traffic,
wembley,
Wembley Park
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