Present: 19 members: Eric Reed, Dilys Gartside, Lindsi Bluemel, Peter Davis, Tina Davis, John Heath, Michael Waugh, Chris Bluemel, Richard Walters, Jim Probert, Dan Doherty, Thea Bjaaland, Eleanor Wilde, Ron Adams, Tim Wakely, Jonathan Chant, (newly joined) Su White, Grant Holmes, Liz Holmes, plus 3 guests: Daniel Hopgood, Derek Buxey, Paula Blake
Apologies: Mike Charlton incapacitated as Chairman by arm injuries from collision and Barry Colbourne who is poorly in hospital with broken hip and internal problems
- Minutes of Jan 9 meeting were accepted as read
- Matters arising:
- Richard Walters reported that police had attended Kathleen Rd Sholing and booked 68 drivers infringing restriction onto Bursledon Rd by using bus lane in a 2hr morning slot. Lindsi Bluemel explained the functions of Campaign Wardens keeping an eye on their own area and taking or reporting action
- It was asked what was the issue with petrol filling station on St Denys Rd. Chris Bluemel considered it could be an issue for cyclists
- Meeting with Cllr Fitzhenry for Transport and Environment. Lindsi and Dilys met with Cllr Fitzhenry, Dale Bostock and Phil Marshall on 9 Feb and notes of meeting are recorded at foot of tonight’s Agenda – attached. They felt it was more positive than last time and he more relaxed
- South Western House – RofW officer Dave Blakeway looked at issue of this being a right of way in 1990s. Dale wasn’t informed of route closure. If we want more info, contact Dave Blakeway direct
- Western Approach – scheme on north side will proceed. No Council response yet to our comments. Parking of lorries on service roads at Millbrook to be restricted by TRO
- Tina Davis reported defective surfacing at Lovers Lane on east side of Common south of underpass. Agreed that members should email City Council Actionline on this one
- City Council not proposing to roll out blanket 20mph zones but will be targeting some more
- Cycle Survey results not yet finally analysed. Richard Pemberton at SCC has been asked for them Cycle Route into city from east boundary over Itchen Bridge to be examined by City Council
- Newsletter out for Feb. Future format to be discussed
- Test Valley – Lidl developments – Planning application has been made to SCC / TVBC as development straddles boundary. A regional distribution centre is proposed across Redbridge Lane backing onto Holy Family Church. New cycle routes to be developed in conjunction with development. City Centre Action Plan and Core Strategy to be displayed at local libraries – 8 week consultation. Eleanor Wilde to invite Viv Messenger from TVBC to talk to us about North Baddesley and southern end of TV area.
- Dale Rd surfacing poor – contact Actionline
- Stoneham Lane – Dan Hopgood an engineer with Mott MacDonald proactive on active travel. Staff do not like travelling to office at north end because of issues with Stoneham Lane. People from Bassett / Swaythling wish to travel to Eastleigh via Stoneham Lane. Reasonably light traffic but suffers from maintenance issues. Street ice due to poor drainage. One fatal accident at southern end near Channels Farm Rd. It is a signed cycle route betn Eastleigh and Soton City. Portsmouth City Football Club 4×4 drivers a problem. DH has compiled a report on defects and issues. Some works have been done, some chevrons and bendo?? installed. All write to Jenny.Rees@hants.gov.uk HCC Safety Engineer to express our many views on this
- The Times Cities fit for Cycling campaign – Importance of writing to MPs now to support Parliamentary hearing this month
- Dogs on Soton Common – Issues with dogs and people using cyclepaths. Derek reported hitting loose dog in dark killed dog he injured. Police visited him as not reported accident due to receiving hospital treatment although dog owner present at time – off work, then put on light duties. Further incident with loose dog chasing cyclists in underpass causing fall from bike. Consider what action we should be taking
- Rides for All – yesterday’s ride had 12 participants. Next Ride is Sun 18 March at Green Park Pavilion on Wimpson Lane Millbrook.
Date of Next Meeting: Mon 12 March 2012 at 1930 at The Friends Meeting House, Ordnance Rd.
The latest newsletter (February 2012) is available for download in [MS Word] or [PDF] format.
Title: South Down Foothills Ride – Feb 12th
Date: 2012-02-12
Start Time: 09:45
End Time: 13:00
Location: Riverside Park (behind Social Club on Manor Farm Road)
Description: Following an excellent January ride, which had 20 paticipants, many are looking forward to the Feb Campaign ride on Sunday 12th. Although advertised as Scenic South Downs the ride will realistically explore the foothills of the Downs only as weather too cold for lengthy ride into the hills. We intend to take a mainly off-road route to Boorley Green (via Cutbush Lane, Old Ivy Lane and the cycle path alongside the railway line at Hedge End), then explore the quiet lanes around Durley.
I have risk assess ride today and found many dangerous icy patches on the country lanes, so ride may be postponed if weather on 12th Feb is as cold as today (please check emails).
Meet at Riverside Park (behind Social Club on Manor Farm Road) at 9.45 am. Coffee stop on return route at Itchen Valley Country Park. Return to Riverside Park approx 1 pm.
Title: Bike2Basics at Ropewalk Community Garden
Location: 53 Derby Road, Southampton, SO17 1EG
Date: 17 December 2011
Start Time: 12:00
End Time: 14:00
Link out: Click here
Description: From Thea Bjaaland
Dear Sustrans friends and volunteers,
I would like to celebrate the end of a great year for walking and cycling with you on Saturday 17th December, 12-2pm, at Ropewalk Community Garden, 53 Derby Road, Southampton, SO17 1EG.
Ropewalk is one of Southampton’s secret open spaces where, in addition to growing food, we have organised a number of cycling events such as cycle training for children and bike maintenance workshops. We are also looking into setting up a bike loan scheme and a led walk in the area.
The Sustrans/Transition Southampton initiative Bike2Basics will be at Ropewalk on the 17th to provide training and tools for people to learn to fix their own bike. There’ll be food and refreshments, and an opportunity to meet new people and find out about other initiatives happening in the inner city of Southampton.
Please let me know if you can make it – I hope to see some of you there!!
For those of you who can’t make it: thank you for your support throughout this past year and I look forward to continue to promote cycling and walking with you in 2012!
Best wishes,
Thea
3 Mountain Bikes kindly offered by Michael Waugh, Flat 12 Eliot House, Portswood Rd, Southampton SO17 2TH tel 023 8032 8335.
1. Black Apollo Tremore. No saddle, back wheel loose (nuts missing)
2. Yellow Apollo reckless – 15 speed shimano – tatty but usable saddle, cables need sorting
3. Orange & black Apollo Slammer – 18 speed and telescopic spring front forks – needs gears sorting
All 3 need cleaning and oiling, none seriously. All free to whoever collects. You can have 1,2 or 3 as you please.
From rudi.net:
It’s a common misconception that a cyclist with a five or ten-mile commute must arrive at the office more tired than her car-driving colleague; according to a study of more than 21,000 adults: workers who travel by car or public transport suffer higher levels of stress and tiredness than those who cycle or walk.
Researchers at Lund University in Sweden found that car and public transport users felt that they struggled with their health compared to active commuters. Among the problems experienced were perceived poor sleep quality, everyday stress, low vitality, mental health, self-reported health, and absence from work due to sickness during the past 12 months. British workers each take an average of 6.5 sick day per year.
The report found that the car drivers with a journey of between 30 minutes and an hour suffered the most stress and the detrimental effect on health from using public transport increased with journey time.
A spokesperson for the Environmental Transport Association (ETA) said: ‘People commute for long distances for higher salaries or better housing, but this study suggests they may be paying for this with their health.’
Harry Barron has emailed us with a concern that the bus / taxi / cycle lane on Wilton Road, near to Shirley infant school, is being abused. All too often drivers illegally drive through it, particularly during rush hour. Harry feels that this degrades the route’s appeal to cyclists and reduces safety in the area considering it is next to a primary school on a road with many parked cars. Harry suggests that the council put in place automatic bollards or a traffic camera.
You can sign the petition here.
Title: Sustrans StreetTread Conference
Location: Solent University, Sir James Matthews building
Link out: Click here
Description: We are inviting 175 people to attend to celebrate the successes of the StreetTread project over the last 3 years and talk about what will happen next (as you probably know, the project comes to an end in December). There will be guest speakers and workshops, as well as lunch and refreshments. Call 01865 205 230 for further details or to book.
Start Time: 10:00
Date: 2011-11-08
End Time: 16:00
Traffic signs updated, clutter and red tape reduced in biggest signs review in 40 years.
Unnecessary Whitehall bureaucracy will be tackled and costs for councils reduced following the biggest review into Britain’s traffic signing system for 40 years, announced today by Transport Minister Norman Baker.
The new framework includes measures to update and improve traffic signs to make sure that they reflect the way we travel now, as well as providing clear information on prohibitions on the road network. Changes will include:
- Measures to improve cycle journeys by allowing journey times as well as distances to be added to signs on cycle routes and making it easier for councils to use Trixi mirrors to improve visibility of cyclists at junctions and ‘no entry except cycles’ signs to allow contra-flow cycling;
Full details here.
Title: The Pigrimage to Santiago de Compostela by bike
Location: 43 University Road, Southampton
Description: Talk (in English) by Jane Hough
Sociedad Hispánica (Southampton)
Thursday, 10th November 8:00 for 8:30
Start Time: 20:00
Date: 2011-11-10
