Lancaster District Cycling & Walking Forum
Tuesday July 5th – 5pm
Lancaster Town Hall
Present:
Mark Fletcher (MF) Lancashire Social Services (CHAIR)
Elaine Fishwick (EF) Lancashire Social Services
Rachel Scott (RS) Lancaster City Council (Economic Development)
Rick Patterson (RP) Lancaster City Council (Economic Development)
Peter Cooper (PCo) Budgie Transport
Richard Hammond (RHa) Lancaster City Council (Leisure)
Claire Evans (CE) Lancashire County Council (School Travel Plans)
Alistair Kirkbride (AK) Dynamo
Patricia Clarke (PC) Dynamo
Richard Follows (RF) Dynamo
Peter Edge (PE) Wray Parish Council
Jonathan Sear Lancaster University
Ralph Henderson (RH) Silverdale Parish Council
Simeon Orme (SO) Rough Stuff Fellowship
Audrey Dunbar (AD) Ramblers Association
Stephen Townson (ST) CTC
Dr Jeff Bartley (JB) Morecambe Bay PCT
Alasdair Simpson (AS) Lancashire County Council (Cycling Officer)
Eve Hall (EH) North Lancs Bridleway Society
Jim Dunbar (JD) CTC
Rose Roberts (RR) Morecambe Bay Primary Care Trust (Public Health Development)
Donald Taylor Lancaster Clarion
Liz Scott Lancashire County Councillor
Apologies:
Jason Kennedy (JK) Lancaster City Council (Planning)
Gordon Maclay (GM) Lancaster City Council (Engineering)
GENERAL UPDATE ON CYCLING / WALKING SCHEMES
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Lancaster & Morecambe Economic Development Zone (EDZ) -
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RH asked about possible extension of the Ovangle path along Mellishaw Lane / Oxcliffe Road. This has been looked at in the past however the road is narrow and any scheme would involve the purchase of private land. Some work may go ahead if the Mellishaw North site is developed.
A further question was raised regarding use of these new paths and whether it is being monitored.
A further question was raised regarding use of these new paths and whether it is being monitored.
AS to investigate which routes have cycle counters.
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Work is complete on Phase 2 of Ryelands Park. Permission has been approved for phase 3 however funding has yet been found. Work on the traffic signals at Owen Road will take place in the summer.
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Work on the Royal Albert Park route (between Piccadilly Gardens & Ashton Road) is complete.
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The upgrading of the path running alongside the Girls Grammar Playing field has taken place, this completes the Marsh Safer Cycling & Walking Route (except for the planting which will take place in the autumn).
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A planning application has been submitted re improvements to the Aldcliffe -
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The Walking Strategy is going to Cabinet on July 26 with implementation soon after (if approved). With regards the urban focus of the Strategy JK reports that this is noted within the document.
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The County Council are preparing separate strategies on walking, cycling & safe routes to school – which will deal with urban and rural issues. Contact Alasdair Simpson (Alasdair.Simpson@env.lancscc.gov.uk) for further information.
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Work has also taken place on the canal towpath to create a link to Carnforth High School, using funds from Lancashire County Council and Sustrans.
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RP noted that a recent report regarding the local economy of Carnforth – highlighted that lack of access points to the canal towpath (both north and south of Lancaster) is an obstacle to potential economic gains from increased usage of the towpath. RP to forward copy of report to AS
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Extension of Lune Millennium Path – The County Council is still trying to find an option that landowners are happy with. AS to report on progress at next meeting
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The Crook ‘o’ Lune bridge should be open by the end of July.
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WALK TO SCHOOL WEEK
RR informed the group about a joint venture between Lancashire Healthy Schools and Lancashire County Council Travelwise, to pilot a new approach to the national WALK TO SCHOOL initiative.
This pilot is called SIMPLE STEPS and is being run jointly with Preston PCT. The aim is to recruit 10 schools and 10 workplaces to take part in Walk to School Week, which runs from October 3rd. They will also be asked to appoint a weekly walk day when all pupils/staff are encouraged to walk at least part of the way to school/work. Charts and individual passports will be available for participation to be monitored/rewarded. Some participants will be asked to use pedometers to record the no of steps taken before and during the initiative.
It is hoped that schools participating will undertake curriculum activities to support the initiative and work places will make related health information available to their employees. Establishments that do not have a travel plan in place will be encouraged to begin development of one.
This pilot is called SIMPLE STEPS and is being run jointly with Preston PCT. The aim is to recruit 10 schools and 10 workplaces to take part in Walk to School Week, which runs from October 3rd. They will also be asked to appoint a weekly walk day when all pupils/staff are encouraged to walk at least part of the way to school/work. Charts and individual passports will be available for participation to be monitored/rewarded. Some participants will be asked to use pedometers to record the no of steps taken before and during the initiative.
It is hoped that schools participating will undertake curriculum activities to support the initiative and work places will make related health information available to their employees. Establishments that do not have a travel plan in place will be encouraged to begin development of one.
There will be a launch event at County Hall, Preston on the afternoon of 12th of September when Jo Pike, National Co-ordinator of Walk to School will give a presentation. The participating schools and workplaces will be invited and relevant organizations/agencies such as School Travel & Road Safety will have `market stalls`. We are also linking into Preston’s 2 Move festival.
If anyone feels they can add weight to this initiative, please contact: Rose Roberts, Public Health Development, Slyne Road, Lancaster LA2 8LQ, Tel 386128, rose.roberts@mbpct.nhs.uk
If anyone feels they can add weight to this initiative, please contact: Rose Roberts, Public Health Development, Slyne Road, Lancaster LA2 8LQ, Tel 386128, rose.roberts@mbpct.nhs.uk
1 UPDATE ON BIKEWEEK 2005
Difficult to say if local promotion had any impact on rides. PC felt that BikeWeek worked best when linked to a local campaign taking place during that week.
PC noted that Lancashire Rail Tours recently held a successful rail trip to Llandudno, carrying budgie bikes for passenger use on arrival. Further journeys are planned check out http://www.budgietransport.co.uk for further details.
PC noted that Lancashire Rail Tours recently held a successful rail trip to Llandudno, carrying budgie bikes for passenger use on arrival. Further journeys are planned check out http://www.budgietransport.co.uk for further details.
2 UPDATE ON LOCAL TRANSPORT PLAN 2005
The draft LTP will be submitted to Government Office shortly for approval. Due to delays regarding the accessibility component the final plan does not have to be submitted until next year. There should be a further opportunity for comment.
Feedback regarding the County Cycling Conference on Sat 11th June was that the event was both useful and interesting.
AS informed the group about the MOVE festival which will be taking place in Avenham Park, Preston on Sunday 18 September. This is to celebrate 10,000 miles on the NCN and rides will be coming into Preston from Cambridge, London, Lancaster, Merseyside and others. For further details go to http://www.2movefest.com. This event will be featured on ITV’s Britain on the Move.
Feedback regarding the County Cycling Conference on Sat 11th June was that the event was both useful and interesting.
AS informed the group about the MOVE festival which will be taking place in Avenham Park, Preston on Sunday 18 September. This is to celebrate 10,000 miles on the NCN and rides will be coming into Preston from Cambridge, London, Lancaster, Merseyside and others. For further details go to http://www.2movefest.com. This event will be featured on ITV’s Britain on the Move.
3 CYCLING DEMONSTRATION TOWN
Cycling England wish to test the proposition that higher levels of investment in cycling (on both infrastructure and ‘soft’ measures) will result in positive and sustained behaviour change. Therefore they are proposing to fund and support projects in 5 medium sized English towns. The budget for the project is £2million pa for 3 years – this money must be matched (not incl usual LTP spend).
The group felt that this was an opportunity that should not be missed. RS informed the group that GM was preparing a letter to express our interest in the project. Other points raised were:
The group felt that this was an opportunity that should not be missed. RS informed the group that GM was preparing a letter to express our interest in the project. Other points raised were:
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the need for high level support (both within and outside of the local authorities)
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concern over finding the match funding
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the need for a co-
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RS to liaise with GM over preliminary action to be taken
4 CYCLING PROVISION PROJECT
MF put forward a potential project for the group. Any comments should be directed to Mark at mark.fletcher@ssd.lancscc.gov.uk.
MF had previously produced a draft note setting out possible role and function of the group – this will be incorporated into a charter for the forum and discussed at the next meeting.
MF had previously produced a draft note setting out possible role and function of the group – this will be incorporated into a charter for the forum and discussed at the next meeting.
5 ANY OTHER BUSINESS
RH noted that he had spoken to representatives from British Cycling at the recent cycling event as part of the Lancashire Youth Games (the cycling event was won by Lancaster). They are keen to develop cycling and increase participation and will be invited to attend a future forum to deliver a brief presentation.
6 NEXT MEETING
The next meeting will take place on Tuesday October 11th - Morecambe Town Hall - 5 pm
Issues for forthcoming meetings:
Issues for forthcoming meetings:
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Role of the Engineering Services’ Projects Team
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Walking in the District
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Cycling in Lancaster city centre
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Step To Project
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British Cycling Federation
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