Previous BCC Campaigns
These items are now somewhat out of date, but are kept here for reference (most recent first).
Reply to Driving Standards Agency consultation on draft highway code.
May 2006
Seemingly innocuous changes to the Highway Code will seriously diminish your right to cycle on the road. Find out how and what you can do.
Must reply by 10 May!
We are also compiling a gallery of poorly designed cycle facilities.
What is your vision for how the West of England will look 25 years from now?
Our local authorities are presently planning strategic transport and spatial scenarios in our area for the next 25 years and anyone who supports cycling and public transport needs to speak up. See http://www.myvision.org.uk/ but hurry - the deadline is 14 January 2005!
February 2002
Proposed Road across the Bristol and Path Railway Path
A planning application has been entered by Frenchay Developments Ltd for a new road crossing at grade across the Bristol and Bath Railway Path (BBRP) just east of Mangotsfield Station.
At this point there are existing planning permissions for housing development on both sides of the path. That on the south side, a site known as H18, was designed to be accessed by a new road bridge over the path from the roundabout on Carsons Road.
The developers have now entered a planning application for a road across the BBRP connecting the two development sites so that H18 can be reached from the road without the need for a bridge.
The proposed crossing relies on a claimed right of way owned by the developer, and would be 5 metres wide, enough for a single track road and a footpath. There would therefore be traffic lights for vehicles using the crossing in alternate directions, with an extended red phase for path users.
The developers argue that the omission of the bridge will have a number of benefits -- reduced visual impact of high level street lighting and earth works; no temporary closure of path during construction (NB permission for this exists already); land needed for the road embankment to the new bridge can be used for extra houses; reducing costs of the development will mean cheaper houses.
If you are wondering why there are two duplicate applications, this is because if South Gloucestershire council fail to make a decision within eight weeks of the applications being registered, the applicant can appeal one application on the grounds of non-determination, while leaving the other to run its course. It is likely that there will be an appeal and a Public Inquiry.
Please write and object, as soon as possible.
The details are
Head of Development Control
South Gloucestershire Council
The Civic Centre
High Street
Kingswood
South Gloucestershire BS15 9TR
For the attention of Donna Webster
Dear Sirs,
Applications Nod: PK02/0159F AND PKO2/0165F
Carsons Road, Mangotsfield
...
Phil
January 2002
Pill Path Access
Path to Bower Ashton College. Because of the re-opening of the Avon Gorge railway line (which is a Good Thing), Railtrack have fenced off the track. This means that the only way to the path behind the Police kennels (and to Ashton Court and Bower Ashton College) is over the revamped footbridge. This will cause problems for cyclists and also wheelchair users (which is a Bad Thing).To complain, contact North Somerset Council and Railtrack.
Trees and hedges along the cycle path
This site is adjacent to the Bristol and Bath Railway Path just by the chocolate factory, between Greenbank Road and the path. Permission was given for development on condition that the hedge by the path was retained. The developers are now trying to renege on this. If they suceed it will mean the houses will border directly on the path and increase the urbanisation of this green corridor. Object to mature hedge and trees being removed.
Write to:
Planning Deparmentre: application/no 01/04421/M/C.
Brunel House
St. Georges Road
Bristol BS1 5UY
Cycle Resource Centre
Something good to write about! To support plans for a new cycle resource centre, write to:
Jerry Aaron, Mud Dock
c/o Mike Ginger
Wilder House
Wilder Street
Bristol BS2 8PH
October 2001
Friends of Canons Marsh
Yet another bad scheme for Canon's Marsh has been proposed. It will be passed by the council next Wednesday [17 October] unless people object. For information about the scheme, and a proforma to email to the council with yours views (no looking for envelope and stamps!), please visit:
harbourside.users.btopenworld.com.
Best wishes,
Sue
August 2001
More about Speed
Campaigners for road safety are demanding that the government press ahead with plans to introduce thousands more speed cameras, paid for by speeding fines. (See the BBC news item.)
Ministers are considering the move, following a series of speed camera funding trials which succeeded in reducing road casualties. But they are worried at signs of growing opposition to the number of cameras on the roadside.
One police force has already announced that it will not be going ahead with any general expansion of speed cameras, for fear of alienating the public.
Write to the Department of Transport saying that you're not alienated and to push ahead.
August 2001
Bike Racks (again and again)
- St. Nicholas Market
- In response to a complaint by BCC about the cycle racks being covered by market stalls, and the prohibitive signs on the railings, we have received an assurance that more racks will be installed, but they don't say when.
Update: A further letter from the market management promises that new racks will be installed by the end of August 2001. - Parkway Station
- New cycle racks have been installed - good location, etc. but they are using "wheelbender" racks. We have written to the station manager.
July 2001
Virgin Trains Broken Promises?
Virgin Trains currently carry tandem cycles on all its services except Manchester Airport to Edinburgh and Liverpool to Glasgow. And the CTC and rail passengers have received written assurances from Virgin as follows:
Virgin Trains are committed to operating a fleet of trains which exceed our customers expectations. I am pleased to assure you that adequate accommodation for cycles, tricycles and tandems is included in the design specification of our new fleet which is due to roll out in the year 2000.
However, the CTC has been told by passengers that a memo (dated 16 May 2001) has been issued to Virgin train staff indicating that from that date tandem cycles will no longer be carried. But,
- Most of the rolling stock operated by Virgin has plenty of room on board for the carriage of tandems - we do not understand the reason for a ban on tandems on this stock.
- Assurances from Virgin indicate that there would be space on the new trains for tandems to be carried. (Only a few of the new trains will be introduced this year).
- Even with the current design of the cycle space on the Voyagers it looks possible for a tandem to be stowed - CTC has indicated to Virgin Trains that it would be happy to carry out a loading trial for tandems.
- Tandem cycles are important means of transport and travel for the many households in Britain that do not have access to a car and a key aspect of this lifestyle is the ability for tandems to be carried by rail.
- Tandems are used by families with young children and by people who are blind and partially sighted.
We hope that there has been a misunderstanding and that Virgin will keep the promises made to passengers and to the CTC and that Virgin's policy will remain family-friendly and non-discriminatory towards blind and partially-sighted people.
CTC policy supports the carriage of tandems on trains. We are waiting to hear from Chris Green, Chief Executive of Virgin Train on this issue.
Please raise your concerns directly with: Mr Chris Green, Chief Executive, Virgin Trains West Wing Offices, Euston Station, London NW1 2DS
June 2001
Mobile Phones
A member has written to the CTC asking if they keep any records of cyclists killed or injured by car drivers using mobile phones. He also asked if the CTC were planning any campaign against using mobiles while driving. They replied that they do not keep any records of the circumstances of cyclists' deaths or injuries and were not planning to mount any campaign. However, they were sympathetic.
On the same subject, another member wrote to Valerie Davey (Bristol West MP) requesting that she asks a parliamentary question about deaths involving mobile phone use and whether there are any plans to outlaw using mobiles while driving. Valerie Davey has written back (very promptly) saying that she would be pleased to do so if re-elected on 7 June.
Update: Valerie Davey has retained Bristol West.
Update: On 1 January 2001 Suffolk County, New York became the first county in the US to introduce a ban on the use of hand-held mobile phones while driving, and is being joined by others.
Update: (August 2001) A memorial was recently unveiled to Rebecca Hudd who was killed in Pucklechurch by a driver using a mobile. A member attended this ceremony as a representative of BCC.
May 2001
BCC publish leaflet questioning lack of speed enforcement
Bristol Cycling Campaign has published a leaflet entitled "Why Do the Police Refuse to Enforce the 30 mph Limit?".
This is in response to the growing frustration felt by members over the non-enforcement of the 30 mph limit.
We have in the past (see the previous campaign item), collected petitions, written letters and attended police/community liaison meetings and, while we've always been met with agreement, we have never seen any change on the streets.
The police have told us they've got hand-held speed cameras in every station. They have even released a pamphlet themselves detailing the dangers of speeding and showing statistics to prove that the public want more speed enforcement. They've done everything, in fact, except get out on the street with their cameras.
We think that the problem is that the police (the majority of whom, we suspect, are regular car drivers) see speeding as a problem that happens only on major roads and motorways. In fact, most deaths and injuries happen in 30 mph areas and speeding here greatly increase the seriousness of any collisions.
The BCC leaflet outlines the many good reasons why speeding needs to be tackled in the urban environment. We intend to distribute it to councillors, school governors and to the public generally. If you can use any, please get in touch with the Lower Speed Group, Box 48, Colston Street, Bristol BS1 5BB.
Update: (5 July 2001) Despite saying they would contact us within 21 days, the police haven't responded to our last letter regarding the lack of speed enforcement in 30 mph areas. The government has recently run a campaign against urban speeding. Unfortunately it only lasted a week, compared to the all year round speed propaganda put out by the car companies.
Update: (August 2001) The Evening Post has recently published a major article on speeding in the city. They took a speed camera to various location and found that speeding was widespread and that cars were often over the limit by a wide margin (the top speed recorded in a 30 mph area was 64 mph).
1 February 2001
Road Traffic Penalties Consultation
The Government is considering changes in the penalties for Road Traffic Offences. Some of the measures they are considering are:
- toughening the penalty points system for speed and drink related offences;
- increased use of disqualification orders;
- increase in prison sentences for certain offences;
- more driver retests;
- car forfeitures.
They are seeking comments from groups and individuals. To get a (free) copy of the consultation document write to
Jisha Salim
Sentencing and Offences Unit
Home Office
50 Queen Anne's Gate
London SW1 H9AT
Comments should be in by 9 March 2001.
More information is available from RoadPeace.
1 February 2001
No Big Bike Ride This Year!
The Council are not supporting Bristol's Biggest Bike Ride this year. This event has run for the last few years, and is the only chance for families to enjoy cycling along the Portway without any cars or lorries to worry about. Last year about 5000 people took part and already there is a steady stream of calls to the Council asking about this year's event. Its absence will disappoint many people, and comes despite the Council's Cycling Strategy which promises to promote cycling events.
Please write to the Council to ask them to reconsider staging this important event later this year. The address is
Steven Wray
Director, Planning Transport and Leisure
Colston House
Colston Street
Bristol BS1
Update: (May 2001) Thanks to all who asked the Council to reconsider: something must have worked, because the Biggest Bike Ride is happening after all.
30 November 2000
Church Road Changes - Dangerous for Cyclists?
Church Road is one of the major commuter routes into Bristol for cyclists, buses, lorries and cars. The road provides a three-mile long linear car park between 7:30 and 9:00 every morning and for a similar period of time every evening. In recent years advanced stop lines have appeared at some of the many traffic lights and generally conditions for cyclists have been slightly improved. Last year though, two new supermarkets (Aldi & Lidl) were built on Church Road, under the condition that the two signalled junctions next to the developments would be upgraded to include pedestrian sequences at their own expense. This didn't worry me as I expected advance stop lines and cycle lanes to appear at each junction.
When both junctions were finished, I was shocked to find two potential death traps for cyclists had been created. Starting with the most dangerous junction (Lidl development), a wide pedestrian refuge has been built between Ducie Road and Earl Russell Way. To add to the dangers, the pavement on the south side of Church Road has been widened, leaving the road at least 2m narrower at one end. A bus or lorry overtaking a cyclist opposite Earl Russell Way will crush him or her, unless the driver can get past before the Ducie Road lights.
Also on Church Road, at the Chalks Road lights (Aldi development), conditions have deteriorated. Instead of one lane of traffic approaching the lights from either direction, there are now two narrow lanes, which make it impossible for a cyclist to pass on the inside or outside. This is frustrating, especially when the traffic is not moving.
When we consider that many junctions are not improved because of financial constraints, it is demoralising when a developer pays for 'improvements' and these turn out to be more dangerous for cyclists. The council must have approved these plans with no consideration to cyclists at all.
To top all this off, six months after the Chalks Road/Church Road junction was finished, the road was dug up and resurfaced. When Jon Lucas (City Council cycling officer) heard about this, he got an agreement to reduce the two lanes to one lane with a cycle lane and advanced stop line. This was passed on to Highways Maintenance. When Jon returned from leave, he found the markings back where they were. The markings cannot be burnt in the short term, because it will damage the surface.
I would welcome any help in getting these junctions improved: the more pressure the council get the better.
Chris A.
2 November 2000
Bikes on Trains
We have responded to a request from the CTC to write to the Strategic Rail Authority asking for better bike carrying facilities on trains. A lot of rail franchises are up for renewal, so it's important to make our views known. If you'd like to write the address is: Strategic Rail Authority, 55 Victoria Street, London SW1 0EU, or you can email them. The SRA web site contains some interesting information and statistics, including details of the franchise contracts, which vaguely promise "new rolling stock to include space for cycles".
1 October 2000
Speed Awareness Campaign
Are you concerned about traffic speeds? Here's your chance to do something about it!
The City Council and Police are about to initiate a speed awareness campaign, with a target of reducing mean speed levels within the city by 5 mph and to try and reduce speed-related collisions by ten percent over the next five years. The campaign will focus on five or six 'problem areas' every month. These may relate to one road or, for example,the area around a school, and can be a perceived problem or accident related. The campaign starts in October, and they would like to hear of specific problem areas that people are concerned about.
Contact Cath Boddy at Bristol City Council Traffic Management (Road Safety section) on (0117) 903 6455.
20 October 2000
Fibre Optic Cables on the Bristol-Bath Path
The City council has been approached by contractors who want to use the path for cable-laying. The idea being that they would pay money that could then be ring-fenced for maintenance and improvement of the path. There were strong objections by BCC members to this proposal. Members cited previous bad workmanship by the cable companies which resulted in uneven pavements, destruction of trees, etc. We also wondered why the path should have to be financed in this manner and not out of the general rates. There would be no guarantee that money saved on path maintenance would be spent on other cycle facilities. The meeting gave a resounding "No" to these proposals.
We have written the following letter on the subject.
|
20/10/00 John Hastie, Dear John Hastie, I am writing to express the concerns of Bristol Cycling Campaign about the enquiry of cable companies to run fibre-optic cables along the Bristol to Bath Railway Path. Our objections are:-
We hope that you will take on board our concerns and we look forward to hearing from you. Yours faithfully Alison Devrell |
August 2000
Broadmead Expansion Consultation Forum
The council are going to expand Broadmead and hopefully revitalise central Bristol. Two developers (with similar names!) - Hammerson and Henderson Investors - have proposed schemes. On 24 July the public consultation process continued with the forum of different groups and individuals, including BCC, listening to and questioning the two developers' plans.
Both plans include a bicycle resource centre at Castle Park, with a shop, café, secure parking, showers, lockers etc. which is good news. Both plans have mixed use of the area - shops, housing, leisure and public squares. And there was much talking up of integrated transport - encouraging cyclists, bus users and pedestrians in line with criteria set by previous forum meetings and council policy.
However, we felt that Hammerson had taken these issues more seriously with new routes for cyclists around Broadmead. Their transport engineer has invited BCC to send specific ideas to him, which we will do. Hendersons talked of car park extensions and Bond Street being a new gateway to Broadmead, presumably fed from increased traffic coming from the M32. When I questioned them about cycle routes they had no strategy except "get off and walk".
BCC response to Broadmead consultation
This is our response to the Hammerson proposals for Broadmead. For the Henderson proposal we have added a bit saying that dedicated cycle lanes would be better than sharing the bus lane, which is what they have planned for cyclists.
|
Bristol Cycling Campaign Peter J. Mansell, Dear Sir, Public Consultation Forum in the Expansion of Broadmead Following on from the Public Consultation Forum on July 24th, we wish to contribute the following points on behalf of the Bristol Cycling Campaign. We feel that these suggestions will help to make the development more cycle friendly, encouraging more cycle use and therefore easing traffic congestion. Our general aim is to have clear, safe and continuous cycle routes into and around Broadmead, connecting with the existing cycle network. These are our proposals to make this possible -
Please contact me if you wish to discuss any of these proposals. Yours sincerely, Alison Devrell |
We received the following reply:
|
Symonds Bristol Cycling Campaign BROADMEAD EXPANSION, PUBLIC CONSULTATION RESPONSE FROM THE BRISTOL CYCLING CAMPAIGN Thank you very much for your letter of 16 September 2000 in which you offer some very interesting and helpful proposals for cycle routes and facilities associated with the proposed expansion of Broadmead. Coincidentally, I was looking at your Web Site this morning before your letter arrived, as a colleagye has just joined your organisation and brought my attention to the article on the Broadmead Expansion Consultation Forum. As you might be aware, our Client, Hammerson and their partners Norwich Union and the competing developers, Land Securities and Henderson, have just proposed to Bristol City Council that they join forces to expand Broadmead in partnership. Whilst we naturally hope to be retained by the new joint venture as their transport consultants, a decision on this is yet to be made. Provided we do continue to work on the prokect, we will certainly try to incorporate all your proposals into the final scheme. We would also welcome the opportunity to continue our dialogue as the scheme progresses and will contact you at the appropriate time. Your sincerely Peter J Mansell CC J Wells Esq, Hammerson Symonds Group Limited |
August 2000
Objection to Proposed Housing Development in Greenbank
Bristol City Council have recently given permission (against their officers' advice) for 25 homes to be built next to the chocolate factory in Greenbank.
These will be built right next to the Bristol-Bath Railway Path, destroying what is one of the most pleasant parts of the track and one of the best areas for birdsong, and replacing it with a three-storey building looming over the path. It will also have a detrimental effect on the wildlife corridor between the cyclepath and Greenbank cemetery.
The proposal is being resisted by the Bristol Cycling Campaign, the Green Party and local residents.
A petition has been circulated and we need to get all the signatures in soon. There will be petitioning on the Railway Path on Sunday 2 July and any help or support would be welcome. Also, if you can help with house to house petitioning, please get in touch with Maxine on (0117) 951 2783.
The next campaign meeting will be held at the Red Lion, Whitehall Road on Wednesday 5 July at 8pm. All welcome.
People are also being asked to write letters of objection to the local MP:
Jean Corston MPor to their local councillors:
PO Box 1105
Bristol BS99 2DP
c/o The Council HouseThe planning reference number is 99/03033/p/c.
College Green
Bristol
The Bristol-Bath is one of the oldest and best-loved cycle paths in the country, but it is under sustained pressure from developers. Already the ring road is being built on it at Mangotsfield, Avon Valley Railway are trying to expand at Bitton, and now these flats are being planned.
Please help us defend the Bristol and Bath Path. For more info on the campaign call East Bristol Green Party on (0117) 951 2783.
Update (20 July 2000): The petition against the proposed development next to the Bristol-Bath Railway Path has raised over 1000 signatures. It will be presented to a local councillor at 7:30 pm on Monday 24 July at the site under threat. It's hoped there will be a photographer there, so a good turn-out of supporters will be welcome. The site is just past the chocolate factory in Greenbank.
Update (1 August 2000): A petition with over 1100 signatures was handed to Councillor John Kiely on the Bristol-Bath Railway Path on Monday 24 July objecting to the proposed development. The event attracted a good turn-out of local people and had some good media coverage. There will be Full Moon Gatherings at the site from now on to raise awareness of the area under threat. At the time of writing it's not sure if these will be on the day of the full moon or the nearest weekend. We post news as we get it. The site is just past the chocolate factory. Look for a hole in the hedge to the left.
July 2000
Bristol City Council parking hotline
The Bristol City Council has set up a "parking hotline", open until midnight, which pledges to respond to parking problems within half an hour. One call about a car parked entirely on the pavement received the reply that they could only act if it was on double yellow lines. Nevertheless, this is a service worth using.
The number is (0117) 903 8070.
June 2000
Cobbles in Queen Square
From Helen Gamsa, who has written to the Council regarding the proposed use of cobbles around Queen Square:
My response from Bristol City Council about the plan to put cobbles on the road around Queen Square came fromTina SpeakeShe talks of the historic environment, to be reinstated 'where possible', but also of concern 'to accommodate the needs of the people' using the space today.
Design/Project Officer for Queen Square
Brunel House
St. George's Road
Bristol BS1 5UY.The outer roads will be surfaced in cobbles, and the footpaths of 'pennant stone paving'. All the 'reasurrance' she could offer for cyclists was the vague 'provision' ('not yet firmed up in detail' but probably widening the footpath to accommodate a cycle path) on the south side of the Square (only). Footpaths across the square are ok for buggies etc. I was not much impressed by this, and wrote back to say I use two sides of the Square to get home from work, and this will be a loss of existing provision.
Hope this interests someone else to follow up too.
Greetings, Helen Gamsa
The issue of cobbles has also been raised recently at the Bike Forum - cobbles are bad news for cyclists: they trap shards of glass and are slippery and uncomfortable to ride on. They also cause problems for people in wheelchairs. Yet the council has covered the Centre with them and is about to do the same in Queen Square.
Please send your views and suggestions for alternatives to the address above.
18 August 2000
Broad Lane Cyclists - Get Writing!
The South Gloucestershire Council are planning to carry out works on Broad Lane, Westerleigh (page 32 in the A-Z) to make it suitable for cycling on. Unfortunately it is a "road used as a public path" (RUPP) and there are no definite cycling rights on these but they think that if there is enough evidence of (cycling) use then that will be enough to persuade other authorities to allow the works to be carried out.
So now the Council are requesting that any cyclists who have used Broad Lane in the past, whether for getting to work or for leisure, should write to them and let them know, preferably before 31 August 2000.
Write to:
Eric Andrews
Head of Legal Services
South Gloucestershire Council
The Council Offices
Castle Street
Thornbury
South Gloucestershire
BS35 1HFYour Ref: L3/LET24/ADEN/PT.1669
For reference, here is the original letter written to Daniel Kinsella by the Council:
South Gloucestershire Council
Eric Andrews, Head of Legal Services
The Council Offices, Castle Street, Thornbury, South Gloucestershire, BS35 1HF
Telephone: (01454) 868686
Internet: mailbox@southglos.gov.uk
------------------------------------
Date: 3 August 2000
Our Ref: L3/LET24/ADEN/PT.1669
Enquiries to: Felicity Kelly
Tel: (01454) 863043
Fax: (01454) 865979
DX: 48357 Thornbury
Dear Mr Kinsella
BROAD LANE WESTERLEIGH (LWE 37)
The Council would like to carry out some work to Broad Lane, Westerleigh to make it more suitable as a safe route for cyclists. Before it can do this, it needs to try to find out what user rights exist along the lane.
The lane is shown on the Council's public rights of way records as a "road used as a public path" (usually referred to as a "RUPP"). Unlike the other types of public rights of way (footpaths, bridleways and byways open to all traffic), it is not clear what rights exist along RUPPs.
There is a statutory procedure for examining the evidence of use and deciding what rights exist, but this can be a very long process and often leads to a public inquiry being held which involves further expense and delay.
Once the new Countryside and Rights of Way Bill comes into force, RUPPs will be replaced by "restricted byways" which will carry cycling rights. However, we do not yet know when the Bill will become law and in the meantime the Council is anxious to make this route available for cyclists if it can.
As a possible way forward, the Council is considering asking interested groups and individuals to let it have any information they might possess about use of this route and their views about the proposed works, which are set out in the Schedule to this letter.
If the evidence of use is strong enough to support cycling rights then it is intended to submit a report to the appropriate chief officer and Executive Member asking for authority to carry out the works. The proposed decision would be available for public inspection and comment before a final decision is made.
It is hoped that this procedure might offer a practical and speedy way forward without prejudicing any existing rights.
This letter forms part of the consultation process before any report is prepared and I would be grateful if you could let me have your views on the proposed way of dealing with the situation, on the works to enhance the route for cyclists and any evidence you might have relating to use of the route. The results of this consultation will form an important part of any report.
It would be helpful if you could respond to this letter within the next 28 days.
Yours sincerely
Felicity Kelly
Solicitor, Legal ServicesAtt: - Schedule of Works
August 2000
Letter to Helen Holland
The BCC has written to Helen Holland, the new transport chief executive at the City Council, complaining about the poor and muddled cycle facilities the Council has put in place - both existing and planned (Queen Square for example). We have received no acknowledgement as yet.CYCLING PROVISION IN BRISTOL - PRESENT AND FUTUREI am writing on behalf of Bristol Cycling Campaign. We are regular cyclists on Bristol's roads and while we generally agree with the Council's pro-cycling policies, we feel that real improvements are not being delivered. We are either ignored or given patchy and ill-thought out provision.
To give some examples -
- Pero's Bridge. This bridge was constructed on a route that had been earmarked for years in the local transport plan as a cycle/pedestrian way between Temple Meads and Harbourside, yet when it was built no consideration was given to cyclists and the council tried to ban people from cycling over it. After being taken to the Ombudsman the Council relented , but we are still left with a bridge that is too narrow to comfortably contain cyclists and pedestrians.
- The Centre. The Centre development has not been good news for cyclists. There seems to have been no thought given to cycle routes across the Centre. For example, getting from Baldwin Street to Park Street is very complicated and there is no information to tell cyclists what they should do. From Rupert Street to Park Street is extremely dangerous and involves negotiating multiple lanes of traffic. Once on the Centre, the drop kerbs are difficult to see and the cobbled surfaces are not cycle-friendly, being laborious and uncomfortable to ride on and harbouring broken glass.
- Queen Square. The changes to Queen Square have been under review for nine years. It would appear that the interests of cyclists have not been considered despite repeated requests. Again, cobbles are proposed for the roadways and the opportunity to develop a cycle route diagonally across the square has been ignored.
With the opening of the City of Bristol college at Harbourside it is particularly important to develop clearly-marked, safe and continuous cycle routes from all parts of the city. While we appreciate the Council's Cycle Forum as a place to air our views, we feel it's important that cycle provision is at the heart of council planning and this can only be achieved through fuller consultation with cycling groups at every stage of the planning process.
September 2000
St. Michael's Hill Protest
As part of European Car Free Day parents from St. Michael's on the Mount school intend to block the road at the bottom of St. Michael's Hill between 8:45am and 9:00am on Friday 22 September. They are angry that their calls for a crossing at this dangerous junction have gone unheeded for years and feel that last week's petrol protest has revealed the selfishness of many car drivers. Come along and support their protest!
May 2000
Sainsbury's Cycle rack
Sainsbury's at Clifton Down have installed trendy looking, but useless "wheelbender" bike racks at their newly revamped store. Any comments re the cycle parking should be directed to:
Bryan Cadmanwith copies sent to Sainsbury's to show the displeasure of local cyclists.
Planning, Transport and Development Services
Brunel House
St Georges Road
Bristol BS1 5UY
