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Readout from October 2022 Meeting

With autumn setting in we met via Zoom.

The partnership with Ambition, Aspire, Achieve children’s bike club will be continuing with a maintenance session on the morning of 16 November and a ride with the children on 19 November. Please get in touch if you wish to help on either of these events.

Bike from Boleyn on 9 October went well and established our partnership with Pedal to the Pitch. We will be planning a further ride for the spring when the clocks go back.

The ride calendar for 2022 has almost run its course (except for the Christmas Lights Ride on 11 December) and planning for the 2023 ride calendar will be starting soon. If you have a ride you would like to lead get in touch. We are still looking at a ride around the Low Traffic Neighbourhoods.

The last Fix Your Ride session at Woodgrange Market for of 2023 is planned for 12 November.

Lots of discussion took place on infrastructure developments ahead of a planned catch up meeting with Newham Council officers on 18 November. Key issues discussed were:

  • Progress on the “Woodgrange” and “Capel” Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTNs 5 and 6).
  • Complementary measures for the existing Low Traffic Neighbourhoods now that they have become permanent.
  • Romford Road. There is need for clarity on at there now appear to be two sources of funding (Government Levelling UP and TfL Local Implementation Plan funding. There is a need to ensure that improvements to Romford Rd itself are not abandoned in favour of nearby back street routes and to ensure that TfL does not detract from cycle provision to promote bus priority, as has been the case with Barking Rd. A meeting and walkabout with the Council’s project officer is scheduled for 22 November in Forest Gate.
  • The Bromley by Bow Gasworks development is a good opportunity, in the medium to long term, to improve active travel permeability and complements the same builders current Twelvetrees development. Newham Cyclists met with the representatives of the developer on 5 October.
  • There were clarifications needed following the Council meeting of 17 October in relation north-south permeability in the borough, the Leaway and EV charging.
  • There were chances to make representations on developments in the QEOP, particularly in relation to East Village, the Leyton Ladder and Chobham Manor.

Alternative monthly meeting dates/weekday/time proposals and considerations. Reference was made to the discussion on this issue the previous month. Jonathan agreed to take the lead on this.

Next meeting is 28 November and we agreed, in principle, a social in early December.

If you would like any further information on any of the above matters please contact me.

Arnold

Readout from September 2022 Meeting

Our thanks to Ambition, Aspire, Achieve for providing a venue.

Our rides calendar is continuing.

  • The rearranged Bike from Boleyn is now taking place on 9 October. If anyone who has not already signed up is available to marshal on this day please contact me.
  • We will be assisting Woodcraft Folk on an evening ride on 28 September. Again if anyone would like to help on this please contact Bill. Woodcraft have expressed their thanks for our involvement to date.
  • The next Newham Ride is scheduled for 16 October.
  • There is a possible partnership with those involved with the Queen’s Market regeneration programme with a view to a Newham history based ride. It was agreed to take this forward as it can provide a new variation on the Newham rides.

The partnership with the children’s cycle club of Ambition, Aspire, Achieve is continuing. there will be a bike maintenance session at the Abbey Hub on 1 October .. we will be looking to arrange further midweek maintenance sessions and also Saturday rides. Again if you would like to participate in any of these activities get in touch with me.

The next Fix your Ride is scheduled for 8 October. September’s event was busy.

A lot is going on in relation to infrastructure:

  • A number of low traffic neighbourhoods (LTNs) have been made permanent. This is good news. it opens the opportunity for complementary enhancements such as the crossing of Water Lane between 2 LTNs, and opens the way for a right turn into Dames Rd.
  • The Council have leafleted their decision explore the Woodgrange and Capel LTNs including preparing designs. We considered the need to pursue the actual data so far collected and the proposed designs. In this context we discussed how a more comprehensive coverage of information about LTNs and other topics could be achieved by the Council including what was actually possible.
  • The Romford Rd improvement scheme is progressing, with an event scheduled by the Council for 22 October. Details yet to be revealed, but a date for diaries as this should include a meeting between ourselves and the design team in addition to the launch of a data collection project. In the meantime we have helped publicise the data collection project.
  • Now TfL had agreed a funding package with the government the Council are likely to be in the process of formulation their LIP bid – the process whereby TfL fund local transport projects.
  • There are a number of major developments being followed. These include Custom House Regeneration where comments had been submitted and and responses received from local councillors and the Council’s regeneration officer. At Crown Wharf (which is an important site currently blocking the completion of the Leaway) we are still waiting for a promised contact from the consultants engaged to prepare a transport assessment. We agree to contact councillors and the developers direct with our suggestions if this was not forthcoming soon. Our response to the Beckton Riverside consultation was sent to Sir Stephen Timms who supported the Roding Way – Thames Path linkage by writing to the Newham Council’s Chief Executive. We are engaging with the developers of the Bow Gasworks Estate.
  • We agreed to seek a further catch-up meeting with the Council’s sustainable transport team.

The LCC AGM and Community Skills Summit is on Saturday 15 October. details and registration link are in the post below.

There has been contact with the Redbridge Cyclists Co-ordinator, particularly on that council’s sub-optimal plans for the Ilford Hill. Both groups are unsure what is happening with the Ilford Gardens scheme under the A406 bridge.

Any group response to the unfortunate developments in Tower Hamlets would need to go through LCC. It was agreed that rather than a group response individuals should be invited to comment.

The new Sustainable Transport Officer for Newham, Su Guy, has agreed to come to a future meeting.

We discussed the timing and venue for future meetings. Finding a venue and making changes to the timing requires further consultation for which a volunteer is needed.

If you would like further information on any of the above please contact me.

Arnold

Consultation response to LLDC’s Carpenters Road designs

The London Legacy Development Corporation is consulting on highway designs for Carpenters Road, due to re-open with the East Bank/Stratford Waterfront development. The planning references are 22/00256/AOD and 22/00249/NMA and can be checked on LLDC’s planning register.

We have been consulted throughout the design process for this as part of LLDC’s Sustainable and Active Travel Group, and this early engagement has been welcome.

We support the principle of a cycleway on Carpenters Road, but are concerned about the details of the proposals. In particular, we worry that they repeat mistakes made elsewhere in the park (e.g. on Montfichet Road) and don’t adequately deal with speeding and rat-running, which was a major problem before Carpenters Road closed for construction (over 80% of vehicles exceeded the 20mph speed limit.) We think that a longer term solution must involve serious measures to reduce traffic, which would then unlock space for better walking and cycling provision.

You can read our consultation response PDF below.

Newham-Cyclists-Carpenters-Rd-consultation-response

Readout from 25 July 2022 Meeting

Arnold Ridout was elected to the Committee as Community Infrastructure/Bespoke Task lead.

It was agreed that Thom Sanders and Olawale Ajibola be added as signatorries to the bank account.

On rides:

  • Steve reported that the 2022 ride programme was continuing but he was no longer available for the planned 13 November ride to Hertford.
  • Arnold updated on plans for the 11 September Bike from Boleyn Ride where the organisers were planning to return to a pre-pandemic scale event.
  • Rides around potential low traffic neighbourhoods were discussed and agreed.

On bike maintenance:

  • Bill reported on the success of the Fix Your Ride at the Forest Gate Festival. The next Fix Your Ride session will be at Woodgrange Market on 11 August.
  • It was agreed that funds could be used for parts to fix bikes donated for refugees.
  • It was agreed that we would support the local charity Magpie in fixing buggies as this promoted active travel the skills needed were similar to fixing bikes.

On infrastructure:

  • Olawale reported and discussion on the extensive and generally positive meeting with the Head of Transport Policies and Programmes for Newham Council. We are grateful for the time he gave us and look forward to the significant developments outlined.
  • Jonathan reported on developments in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park including the soon to close Westfield Ave consultation (please respond by 30 July if you have not yet done so), Montfichet Rd, possible improvements in the Greenway crossing of the railway line, and the “Leyton Ladder”. He detected a more positive approach to active travel from the authorities.
  • Olawale reported on the workshop he attended on East Ham Town Centre.
  • Arnold reported on the development proposal at “Crown Wharf” and was authorised to take forward further discussions with the developers.
  • Olawale reported on his attendance at the Royal Docks Corridor Construction Liaison meeting, highlighting some of the outstanding issues.

Olawale reported back on the LCC Group Co-ordinators meeting. The most relevent item was that on dangerous junctions.

We agreed to support Tower Hamlets Wheelers in protection of cycle infrastructure in a a manner that they advised. Olawale will liaise.

If you have a question or would like further detail please get in touch.

Arnold

Take Action: Say YES to plans for new look Westfield Avenue and a fresh start for cycling in the Olympic Park

An artists' impression of a two-way cycle track next to a wide pavement and a 2 lane road, with rain gardens separating the track and the pavement. People say, "so much space!" and "no more dodging trees & bus stops!" and one silhouetted person cycling is marked out as "this could be you in 2025!"
Respond to consultation By Sat 30 July

For a long time, Westfield Avenue has been one of the worst places to cycle in our borough. Pedestrian lights across tiny crossovers. Surprise obstacles. Pavement parking. Crossings where you’re expected to wait up to four times on caged traffic islands for the light to turn green. It’s an embarrassment to the Olympic Legacy.

A pedestrian crossing with a countdown traffic signal over a very small crossover into a loading yard on a four-lane road.
A central island on a complex and busy 6-lane road, with guardrail and concrete blocks obstructing the way. In the distance, a narrow cycle track is obstructed by signage.
WESTFIELD AVENUE TODAY: Cluttered, car-dominated, ugly

We’re thrilled that the London Legacy Development Corporation and Newham Council are consulting on a brand new design for Westfield Avenue, which they hope to start building next year and finish by 2025. This is unlike anything we’ve seen in the Olympic Park before: a high quality, best-practice design from the start, with people walking and cycling taking priority over motorists. It’s been 10 long years, but this is much better late than never!

A two-lane road across a bridge, with a bus stop island accessed by a zebra crossing over a two-way cycle track, a pavement on both sides, and planters separating the cycle track from cars.
WESTFIELD AVENUE PLANS: Convenient, comfortable, at a human scale

LLDC and Newham need to know that local people want it. If you visit Westfield or the London Stadium, or if you live nearby at the Carpenters Estate, or in Hackney Wick, East Village, or International Quarter—tell them “yes please!”

Visualisation of a road with trees on both sides and a 2-way cycle track on the left side, with bus stop bypasses and a lighted pedestrian crossing.

Take action by Saturday 30th July

Respond to consultation By Sat 30 July

Here’s how to tell LLDC and Newham Council that you like the plans for Westfield Avenue’s makeover:

  1. Go to westfieldavenue.commonplace.is. You might need to provide your email address
  2. Click “Have Your Say”
  3. On the proposals for Westfield Avenue:
    • Say “Strongly Agree” for widened pavements, widened crossing points, improved lighting, and location of bus stops
    • Say “Strongly Agree” for a 3m cycleway separated from the road and pavement with crossings, relocation of bus stops and loading bays, additional cycle stands and e-bike charging, and additional Santander cycle hire facilities on Westfield Avenue
    • Say what you think of the idea to move the Aquatics Centre cycle hire stand to Westfield Avenue, and also the locations of the motorcycle parking, taxi rank, loading bays, and the crossovers and side roads (e.g. at Glasshouse Gardens and Turing Street.)
  4. On the “Additional Features” page:
    • Say “Happy/Love It!” to the seating, trees, and planting on Westfield Avenue
    • Say what you think of the redesigned Stratford Walk (the bridge between Westfield and the Aquatics Centre)
  5. If you have time to write any more…
    • Support the new one-way southbound on Olympic Park Avenue—this will eliminate a rat-run through residential areas and allow a continuous cycle route across the railway line
    • Ask for further work in the future to redesign Marshgate Lane junction, to separate all modes and reduce speeds
    • Ask for a smooth, flat cycle track that’s accessible to all kinds of cycle (including tricycles, wheelchair clip-on hand cycles, recumbents, etc.)
Respond to consultation By Sat 30 July

Our Response

You can read our response to the consultation here. We strongly support the proposals, but suggest additional changes to the Marshgate Lane junction in future to fully separate all modes.

Westfield-Ave-consultation-repsonse-from-Newham-Cyclists

MSG Sphere: Open letter to Sadiq Khan

We have written to the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, to ask him to refuse planning permission for the MSG Sphere when it is referred to him. You can read the text of the letter here, or see the PDF we sent to the Mayor and Dr Will Norman (London’s Walking and Cycling Commissioner) at the bottom of the page.

Dear Sadiq,

RE: Please refuse the MSG Sphere planning application (approved by LLDC)

We are Newham Cyclists, part of the London Cycling Campaign.

We are writing to ask you to direct refusal of the planning application for the MSG Sphere (19/00097/FUL) in Stratford, and insist the applicant makes changes to the proposed venue’s transport strategy and public realm design.

The MSG Sphere scheme as approved by the unelected members of LLDC’s planning committee:

  • Locks in a 0.44% mode share for cycling and potentially thousands of extra car trips to each event
  • Builds an important new cycle link that would be heavily used by schoolchildren going between East Village and the London Aquatics Centre—only to then routinely close it at peak times (including school run times) to allow ingress/egress to the Sphere
  • Endangers local people by proposing a highway design for Angel Lane that constitutes at least two “critical fails” according to the Government’s LTN 1/20 standard, locking out safe cycling on Cycle Future Route 7 for potentially decades and building in community severance
  • May overwhelm Stratford station, an already dangerously-congested station which is a critical link for many people (particularly key workers, who have to travel no matter what.) The Sphere proposals only include one extra entrance to the station, and propose nothing to fix the congestion in the platforms and subways
  • Provides no legal mechanism for Newham Council to stop the building operators from showing obnoxious or distracting advertising on the building’s surface that could propose a safety risk, by granting an advertising consent for illuminated video content on the Sphere’s surface for a quarter of a century
Continue reading “MSG Sphere: Open letter to Sadiq Khan”

Readout from Annual Meeting 27 June 2022

AAA provided us with the hospitality of their premises at the Arc in the Park, Canning Town. We are very grateful.

In respect of the formal business:

  • The Draft Annual report (see earlier post) was approved.
  • The Annual Accounts for 2021/2 and the budget for 2022/3 (see earlier post)were confirmed, having been previously approved by the Committee to meet LCC deadlines.
  • The following Officers were elected. They will also form the Committee:
    Co-ordinator – Olawale Ajibola
    Interim Deputy Co-ordinator and Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park Representative – Jonathan Rothwell
    Secretary – Kate Byrne
    Treasurer – Bill Bremner
    Deputy Treasurer – Thom Sanders
    Infrastructure Representative – Chris Kershaw
    Rides Co-ordinator – Steve Smith
    Better streets Liaison Officer – Kerena Fussell

The lively discussion that followed covered a number of issues including the need for full consultation on Low Traffic Neighbourhoods and the imperative to respond to the latest consultation on the subject found at newhamco-create.co.uk/en/projects/street-survey, health workers and cycling, the variety of cycle hire schemes in the borough, proposals for Tollgate Rd, the levelling up funding aimed at the south of the borough, Leytonstone Rd, the MSG Sphere, and the QE Olympic Park.

We also discussed some new campaigning tools we could make use of in the forthcoming year which promises to be busy and exciting..

Arnold

Annual Meeting 27 June 2022

A reminder that our Annual meeting will take place on 27 June at 7.30pm at the Terence Brown Arc in the Park.

As well as the usual formal bits (election of officers, approval of accounts, annual report. There will be an update on developments in cycling in Newham we will be setting our future direction.

Light refreshments will be served.

If you would prefer to attend by Zoom we are planning (and have successfully experimented with) a link. Let me now if you want the joining details by e-mailing newham@lcc.org.uk.

Arnold