Cycling Forum

Minutes - 3rd October 2005

• Attendance
• Approval of Minutes
• Matters Arising
• Schemes in Progress
• Any Other Business
• Date of Next Meeting

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Attendance

Introduction and apologies:

Cllr Doubleday announced the start of the meeting of the Tameside Cycling Forum.

Apologies received

• Alan Pickles

Present:

• Cllr. Doubleday (Member Tameside Council) (Chair)
• Carol Willgoose (Tameside Council-Engineers)
• Chijioke Ebizie (Tameside Council-Engineers)
• Peter Brocklehurst ( Janus Road Club)
• Rod Whitworth (GM Cycling Campaign)
• David Collins (C.T.C.)
• Stuart Bailey (Cyclist)
• David Robinson (Cyclist)
• Colin Ellis (Dukinfield C.C.)

Approval of Minutes

Cllr - Moved for adoption of previous meeting minutes and this was unanimously accepted.

Matters Arising

PB - Asked the Council to consider introducing 20mph zones that operate only during school opening hours.

PW - What is the current situation with the Stockport Road/ Two Trees Lane junction cycle lane improvement?

CW - Will check with our Highways Design section to determine what stage the project is at and e-mail members of the forum with details of the proposal.

RW - How is the 20mph scheme on Stockport Road (Oxford Park) progressing?

CW - Will check on progress and report back at the next meeting.

Schemes in Progress

CEb - More cycle stands have been installed in Town centres in Tameside. Four (4) by the market in Hyde, eight (8) in and around Stalybridge Town centre. Parking signs have been ordered for installation and would be up soon.

Dane Bank Primary school stands are to be installed this October.

James Purnell MP and local Councilors officially declared the new cycle racks in Dowson Primary School and new access open.

I have commissioned our Engineer's section to prepare a scheme and costing for the provision of a covered cycle storage facility at Godley Primary School in Hyde.

CEb - The Council is looking to embark on providing Advanced Stop Lines (ASL) at Traffic light Controlled junctions; I would like to here any views you have on that?

RW - ASL's should be provided in such away that the cyclist could easily observe the Lights (signal head) in front.

CEb - I am looking to install some directional signs on cycle routes, what are your views on including the destination distance in the sign?

DC - Would prefer the distances put in.

Any Other Business

CEl - Would like to see routes cutting through Stalybridge Town centre.

CEb - Agree to undertake pilot study of potential signed cycle route between Stalybridge and Ashton in conjunction with forum members.

Cllr - Could consider shared use subways with cycleway/pedestrian route segregated by white line.

DC - Why are cyclists prohibited from using the short cut by the market hall in Stalybridge?

CW - There is an ongoing study at the moment being carried out for this area, I will make sure this concern is looked into.

RW - Is the Council looking into cycle route links with neighbouring Authorities?

CEb - I have carried out a joint audit with Oldham Council, I am looking to carryout the same exercise with Manchester and Stockport Councils respectively.

CEb - Please see brief report on the Mottram Road/Acresbrook junction site visit. Is there any more input? I would be preparing a report for the Cabinet Deputy for Technical Services, based on this location. I will be seeking for guidelines on how to treat such locations in future within Tameside Borough.

RW - It seems no one thought of cyclists when this was being built.

DC - The refuges should be removed and appropriate hatching carried out.

CW - A Safety Audit will have to be carried out.

CEb - Are there preferred options amongst those listed and in what order?

Forum - Option (5) preferred, second preference is option (1).

RW - Are there any new schemes similar to this planned? What are the existing guidelines based on?

CW - The designs of new highway schemes in Greater Manchester are based on COPECAT (Concise Pedestrian and Cycle Audit).

PB - Can we have copies of this document?

CW - The Cycling Officer will be providing members with copies.

The site for the LTP cycling and walking programme is www.gmltp.co.uk

PB - Can the Council provide a bike circuit or track for trials within Tameside? Preferably 1 km or more in length, with a hard surface?

CW - We will look into that.

SB - Why the inconsistency in the provision of facilities on the Transpennine Trail (TPT) between Stockport and Tameside?

CEb - I do not think it is the Council's responsibility, will check and report.

Date of next meeting

Cllr - 6.00pm Committee Room 4 on the 10th of April 2006

Thanks for attending