News
Croydon Cycling Forum 21st March 2002
Three key items were on the agenda of the Croydon Council Cycling Forum of 21 March 2002.
First was the report on Cycling from Chris Martin, the Council's Divisional Director of Traffic, Parking & Civil Engineering. This document has gained notoriety for what many see as (at best) an unhelpful attitude towards cyclists. If you haven't seen this incredible document, visit our website or contact me for a copy. It had been hoped that a robust discussion would be facilitated between cyclists' representatives and Council Members and officers on solutions to Croydon's current position of above average cycling accidents and declining cycling levels. Alas it was not to be, since his planned attendance did not materialise - upon advice from senior Councillors presumably anxious over the impact such a meeting might have this side of the election - and now means that Chris has not attended the Forum for over two years. Whether things will change for the better after 2nd May remains to be seen, but while previously there had been strong hints from the current administration that radical steps might taken to improve the lot of cyclists, this now seems less likely - but watch this space.
Apart from giving us the opportunity to respond to his report's negative assertions on cycling, Chris Martin's absence also meant he didn't get to hear a very different and positive vision of cycling from Transport for London's Rose Ades. A former policy advisor for our parent body, the London Cycling Campaign, Rose spoke at length on why cycling was a good thing, what the barriers were to making it better and how they could be overcome. While her new role as head of TfL's Cycling Centre for Excellence is still evolving, her vision is similar to our "make Croydon a great place for cycling" - she wants a London that is "a place where people feel free to cycle whenever it suits them". Her key position in TfL and strength of conviction (plus a little help from people like you and me) means this vision will be achieved.
The final major item was the resolution of the St. James Park farce. Chris Ducklin produced a report which identified 5 different options for implementing this scheme, which had previously been recommended for withdrawal. After some discussion and clarification, it was resolved that option 2 should be recommended to the Traffic Management Committee. This gives us a plug no-entry scheme with a safety traffic island, sees two parking spaces being shifted to the other side of the road (and the loss of two more) and represents a pragmatic solution for all concerned, including local residents and motorists. Thanks are due to everyone who helped bring about this way forward - all that remains now is for Members of the TMC to agree the Forum's recommendation - hopefully they will do so.
