|
|
CYCLETALK
The Newsletter of CTC ScotlandNumber 16: June 2001 Editors of this issue:
|
We reported (last issue) our intention to be represented at the Public Local Inquiry into this road. This was attended by Sec. Peter,Treasurer Diane and local member Ian McConnell who had done some of the preparatory work, with further help from Cllr Pat.
Peter wrote the submission and read it out, and then fielded questions from the Council's lawyer - the questioning went on for nearly two hours! - while Diane devised and asked questions of the Council and the other objectors, and wrote a summary of our case.
Overall we had a good chance to air our views, within the limits of the procedures which are strictly formal, and we learnt a lot about Public Inquiries. Outside the Inquiry, one of the lawyers was quite helpful and supportive, and Diane is to have a follow-up meeting to learn more about the procedural aspects, which are complicated.
The local MSP Irene McGugan, who is a member of the pro-cycling Group in Parliament, wrote a useful letter of support for our case, but this was rather pre-empted by the Inquiry.
Apart from the landowners who stand to lose top-quality farm land, we were the only 'environmental' group at the Inquiry, putting the case for not building the road at all. Indeed, without our intervention we think the Inquiry would have been rather colourless and downbeat! And we got some coverage in the local Press. We did wonder, however, why there was no presence from environmental bodies like TRANSform Scotland, Friends of the Earth, Protection of Rural Scotland etc, which could have made the case so much stronger. If you are also a member of any of these organisations, please write and urge them to participate in future such Inquiries.
Consultation on this Bill, which as you remember includes the all-important Countryside Access proposals, is now extended to June 30. We are in the process of discussion with many agencies about it. It would help a great deal if a large number of members perused it and sent in their comments to SE Rural Affairs dept and/or contributed to CTC Scotland's corporate response. For info re our position, contact John Taylor.
No sooner is the A92 Inquiry over, than we are faced with yet another. This time it's the bypass of the 3 towns, Ardrossan, Saltcoats and Stevenston. Peter has already had a meeting with the Roads Engineers and we are pressing for a segregated crossing at the eastern end, where the A78 meets the A737, and where there are industrial and commercial areas to one side, and residential to the other - ie opportunities for people to walk or cycle to work. We badly need someone local to come forward and help, as we are not well represented in this area. CTC Scotland member Peter Hayman, who was involved in earlier (1996) negotiations with the Scottish Office, has now moved away. If you can help, please contact Peter Hawkins.
It is with great regret that we have to record Robert's death. At the inception in 1987 of the Scottish Leisure Cycling Council, as we were originally, at a time when most of us were shooting in the dark, Robert took on the post of secretary and thereby assisted in getting us established. Subsequently he did a stint as vice chairman. Despite suffering ill-health from time to time, he represented Fife and Kinross DA and spearheaded our campaigning in that area continuously until a short time before his death.
Ian McConnell represented CTC Scotland at his funeral and John Taylor sent his wife Jeanne a letter of appreciation.
The most recent development here (for background, see Issues 13 and 15) is that our Sec. Peter, and Mike Harrison, were called in to the Scottish Exec for a meeting with Neil Wands, the Cycling Officer, and John Howison, Chief Roads Engineer. They wanted to explore ways for us to withdraw our objections, presumably to avoid the need for a Public Inquiry. We said we would be prepared to withdraw all objections if a crossing of some sort could be provided, though we did offer a compromise solution involving the Exec negotiating with a local landlord to allow cyclists to use a private (farm amd estate access) road only 1km away, which would mean a diversion of about 2km in all.
This however seemed an unsatisfactory compromise, and the Exec agreed to look at costings for a bridge at Biel Mill, presumably an extension to the bridge which already crosses the railway. We have still to hear the outcome, but the situation is distinctly more optimistic than it was before.
Cycling got into the local Press in East Lothian recently, where the Council was accused of ‘missing out' on the tourist potential of having Route 1 of the NCN, and the North Sea Route (NSCR), pass through the county. At present these routes, which mainly hug the east coast, swing sharply inland at Berwick and follow the Tweed to Innerleithen and then up to Edinburgh, barely scraping the tip of East Lothian on the way.
And of course this is because the Council made no effort to bring the routes along the coast.
CTC Scotland has written to the two Councillors who, in the newspaper article, sounded sympathetic to cycling, and proposed that E Lothian should establish a Cycling Strategy, which would include the routes mentioned plus better maintenance of the two off-road routes the county already has.
In its favour, the Council does have a Cycling Officer, and has produced a cycling leaflet which helped our case for Biel Mill, as it shows it as a recommended quiet route. As we pointed out in our letter, E Lothian has a lot of cycling potential - a big network of quiet minor roads, a great variety of terrain, and some historic towns. As for tourism, it has the Edinburgh conurbation on its doorstep. So we await the reply with interest. East Lothian doesn't have a cycling forum but at the time of writing this Mark James (RtR Rep. for East Lothian and Sustrans ranger) is hoping to organising an event in May in Haddington.
The Council has now started a Coastal Review, and CTCS has already made suggestions about paths along the coast.
After making way for the Longest Ride to open the first half of the National Cycle Network in 2000, Bike to Work Day returns to its Wednesday position, and as part of the Festival of Cycling 2001 Bike to Work day takes place on Wednesday 20 June 2001.
Time to start encouraging your colleagues to give the bike a go: perhaps you can reward them by asking your workplace to provide a free bicycle breakfast or lunch for people who cycle to work on Bike to Work Day?
By the time you read this, the participants in the launch tours will be half way round. Brian Curtis is leading the anti-clockwise UK leg from Shetland to Aberdeen, and Pat Harrow is guiding the clockwise group from Berwick-on-Tweed to Aberdeen. On 19 June Pat's group will leave Edinburgh City Chambers after the Edinburgh City Bike Breakfast (open to all who turn up on a bike). This picture show last year's riders breaking through the banner to launch the National Cycle Network.
You can join in the daily rides. This is the list for overnight stops on the clockwise (southern) route
The Bike Fest will celebrate the arrival of the riders on both routes. For details, contact Pat during the ride on 07941418440.
All day cycle Festival in Duthie Park from 11:00, with guided cycle rides, children's events, music and entertainment. Cycle ride at 1530 from Duthie park to embark on final leg of North Sea Cycle Ride to Castlegate. European Music and Beer Festival on Friday and Saturday evenings and Sunday afternoon at Union Terrace Gardens
From 11am to 5pm in Kelvingrove Park,
Glasgow, a day-long family-oriented celebration of all forms of
cycling with a range of events suitable for all abilities, ranging
from family groups and novices to experienced cyclists. The event
highlights the health and fitness benefits of cycling as an enjoyable
outdoor leisure activity and competitive sport, and promotes its
environmental benefits as part of a sustainable transport solution.
Admission is FREE (although some sub events may levy nominal entry
fees) and events featured are:
We have 56 entries so far (end of April), can we get 100 there? You can enter now or on the day but won't get the calligraphic certificate that timeous entrants will receive. Booking form in CT&C (Feb, page 71). Entries to Peter Hawkins.
CycleTalk 16 compiled and edited by Peter Hawkins & Mike Harrison