Lancaster District Cycling & Walking Forum
Monday January 31st
Morecambe Town Hall
Present:
Gordon Maclay (GM) Lancaster City Council (Engineering) CHAIR
Ralph Henderson (RH) Silverdale Parish Council
Rachel Scott (RS) Lancaster City Council (Economic Development)
Simeon Orme (SO) Rough Stuff Fellowship
Cllr Jonathon Sear (JS) Lancashire County Council
Brian Jones (BJ) Ramblers Association
Elaine Fishwick (EF) Lancashire Social Services
Mark Fletcher (MF) Lancashire Social Services
Archie Workman (AW) Budgie Transport
Richard Hammond (RHa) Lancaster City Council (Leisure)
Jason Kennedy (JK) Lancaster City Council (Planning)
Matt Hodges (MH) CTC
Vicky Lowe (VL) North Lancs Bridleway Association
Eve Hall (EH) North Lancs Bridleway Association
Alasdair Simpson (AS) Lancashire County Council
Dr Jeff Bartley (JB) Morecambe Bay PCT
Stephen Townson (ST) CTC
Apologies:
Jim Robson (JR) Lancaster City Council
Rysz Detko (RD) Morecambe Bay Hospitals NHS Trust
Peter Scullion (PS) Lancaster University
Gary Bowker (GB) Lancaster City Council
Rob Bracewell (RB) Lancaster City Council
Claire Evans (CE) Lancashire County Council
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General Update on Cycling / Walking Schemes
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Lancaster City Council (LCC) has entered into a partnership with a single contractor for the next 3/4 years, to construct the majority of new routes within the District. This will save time and money on procurement and administration.
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Work will start shortly on Phase 2 of Ryelands Park (parallel to Morecambe Road), followed by Ovangle Road / White Lund scheme (part of the EDZ Cycling & Walking Network) and Royal Albert Park (via planning gain from housing development).
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Discussions are still ongoing regarding the upgrade of the path running alongside the Girls Grammar Playing field, to complete the Marsh Safer Cycling & Walking Route.
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The new section of the River Lune Millennium path, from the Lancaster & Morecambe path to Sunderland Point, is almost complete.
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Access for Horses
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A meeting has recently taken place with LCC and the North Lancs Bridleway Association with regards opening up more routes to horses. Two sections of cyclepath will be opened up on a trial basis in order to assess interaction of users. Firstly section from Denny Beck to Lansil Way and secondly around the Out Moss Lane Triangle
Concerns were raised re the kind of surfacing used and potential dangers (for horses). A tar and spray surfacing has been used on cycle paths to give a smoother grip than tarmac. Another alternative is having a separate track or mowed strip for horses – AS.
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Walking Strategy
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The Walking Strategy, once approved, will be adopted as Supplementary Planning Guidance (SPG), as was the
cycling strategy. The strategy hopes to address some of the problems faced by walkers, and increase the number
of people walking. The consultation period is due to end February 4th.
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MH noted that there is a need to ensure conflict avoidance and promote considerate riding and walking.
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RH noted that the majority of the document refers to the urban area and not rural.
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Walking has great health benefits and we have miles of footpaths, however walking to work (and elsewhere) is sometimes hindered by Development Control (ie lack of pedestrian access to Pine Lake).
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A question was raised about the Two Tings Campaign. This initiative was put forward to the Local Road Safety Partnership for funding last year but was not successful. Dynamo did give out free bells last summer -
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LCoC are in the process of putting up Code of Practice signs on shared use routes to encourage more considerate use.
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Local Transport Plan 2006/7 – 2010/11
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The four key themes for the 2nd Local Transport Plan are Congestion, Accessibility, Safety and Air Quality.
AS presented a matrix which could be used for evaluating future cycle schemes. A number of potential schemes were then discussed.
AS also presented results of two surveys that have been carried out recently. The first was a household survey by the University of Central Lancashire into attitudes on cycling. The second was carried out by Sustrans on local cycle tracks.
Lancaster city centre has been designated an Air Quality Management Area – this means that the City and County Council must work together to address this problem.
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Could readable air quality monitors be placed around the city centre as a promotional / awareness raising tool?
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Invite Environmental Health (responsibility for monitoring air quality) to a future meeting?
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Promotion / Future Events
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In September Sustrans National Cycle Network 10,000 Miles Celebrations will be taking place in Cambridge and Preston. On Sunday 18th September “2Move” a big show will be taking place in Preston to promote cycling & walking, healthy living etc. There will be rides coming into Preston from around the country, including one ride from Cumbria via Lancaster and the Fylde Coast.
Cycling and walking information is available on the LCC website. From www.lancaster.gov.uk choose ‘Travel info’ from the Quick Links on the left-
National Bike Week 2005 will take place from 11 to 19 June. A number of events are already planned for the area. It was thought useful if there is some co-
There will be a County Cycling Conference on Sat 11th June at Carnforth Station Visitor Centre with speakers and workshops. Contact AS for more details.
The British Horse Society has its access week in May.
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Any Other Business
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AW updated the group on the Waterbus operating between Carnforth and Lancaster. They have received a grant form Transport 2000 for cycle racks. The boat will start operating again in March, with a second boat travelling the whole length of the canal (with 57 seats). ‘Bus stops’ should be in place soon.
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Future Issues:Middleton Wood – progress
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Health
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School Travel Plans
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National Bike Week
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Purpose / role of this group
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Highway maintenance
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Next Meeting
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The next meeting will take place on Tuesday April 5th -
