Tameside cycling forum

Meeting Held 6.00 pm Monday 8th September 2008 at Ashton Council Offices

1 Present:

• Cllr Andrew Doubleday Tameside MBC (Chair)
• Nigel Gilmore Tameside MBC
• Peter Brocklehurst Janus Road Club
• Keith Lofthouse PCT
• Stuart Bailey Sustrans Ranger
• John Bloomfield Cyclist
• Dieter Weichart Cyclist
• David Collins CTC
• Alan Pickles Cyclist
• Chijioke Ebizie Tameside MBC Minutes taker

Apologies

•  Janis Hett Mossley CRT
• Michelle Murphy Tameside MBC

2 Minutes of meeting Monday 16th June 2008 and any Matters arising

The minutes of the meeting held on the 16th of June 2008 were approved as a correct record.

3 Presentation of the Current Action Items

3.1 CE gave a presentation on the current “Action Items”. Updates for each scheme including status are contained in the separate Action Plan. CE

4. Presentation of the Tameside Capital Programme for 2008-2009 CE gave a presentation on the Capital Programme for Cycling this financial year. The Schemes included are:

• NCN66 improvements
• Droylsden cyclepath
• Installation of Bike stands
• Cycle Facilities Review (CFR)
• Connect2 Big Lottery schemes
• Dowson Primary
• Future progress will be included in the Action Plan as above. CE

4.1 DC added a question in respect of the quality of stands being installed in Tameside College. He was of the opinion that Tameside installed the lowest quality of cycle stands and that better quality cycle storage will encourage more cycling. CE informed the Cycle Forum that the type of Cycle Facility is dependent on the school and that in the past we have partnered different schools in providing both covered and uncovered bike storage facilities.NG also stated that the Council could only provide the standard of facilities it can afford.
Following on from a statement by a member of the Cycle Forum, the Cycle Forum members were informed that the data on available cycle facilities in Tameside Schools can be accessed online at the Council’s cycle website. The link is www.tameside.gov.uk/cycling/schools.

4.2 DC wanted to know what was happening with the closed up section of the Ashton canal towpath by asda in Ashton-under-Lyne. CE informed him that the path was in the ownership of British Waterways and do not currently have the finances to instigate repairs.
DC was of the opinion that asda should be approached to finance the scheme. SB felt that this would be unlikely to succeed due to the security implications. NG promised to explore this option. CE

4.3 SB noted that though most children started riding at the age of 8, training was only being provided at age 10 in primary schools and hence the lack of skills by most children under the age of 10. CE responded that the Council provides Training in schools through bikeability level 2.

5 Tameside Cycle Facilities Report

5.1 NG presented the CFR report. He informed the meeting that this follows on from the presentation made by the Consultant on the 16th of June 2008. DC wanted to know what had happened to earlier comments sent in. NG informed the meeting that all comments were forwarded to the consultant and were part of the compiled report. NG asked forum members to forward any other comments to the Cycle Officer by the 30th of September 2008; this will facilitate the production of the final report. NG also stated that the TIF bid, if successful, will potentially affect the Tameside Cycle programme in a positive way. CE

5.2 Cllr. Doubleday stated that the presentation of the CFR report was a positive step and that the Council will take all comments on board.

5.3 NG informed the forum that recommendations from the CFR report would underpin the 2006 Tameside draft Cycle Strategy which will be formally adopted in the near future. CE

5.4 DC stated that the Cycling Capital Programme for 2008-2009 should be replaced with recommendations from the CFR report. NG informed him that this was not possible as the 2008/09 Capital Programme had now been approved as per Council Standing Orders and that most of the recommendations from the CFR report will need to be broken down into manageable projects.

5.5 DW wanted to know if the CFR report and TIF proposals tackled the problem of cycling into Manchester from Tameside. CE responded that there are 3 cycle corridor schemes, forming part of the Council’s Cycling TIF bid that cover this issue and these call for the provision of improved cycle facilities on the A662, A635 and the A57.

6 AOB

6.1 DC told the forum a story about his cycling experience in Winchester and how he was able to get a complaint resolved with despatch by the Local Authority.
PB raised an issue with the recent road markings on Stamford Road on the approach to the Telecom roundabout and the danger it poses to cyclists. DC also complained about the design of the new junction on Darnton Road (Hospital entrance). NG responded by saying the Council will look into these problems. CE
KL informed the forum that the Primary Care Trust was partnering with Cycle-ops Adventure (part of the Council’s youth Service) to deliver cycling for the disabled at the East Lancashire sports ground (Richmond Street, Ashton).

7 Date of next meeting December 1st, time 6.00pm at the Council Offices.

Contact Information
Send us a Message	Tameside MBC Council Offices Wellington Road Ashton under Lyne OL6 6DL  View local map
0161 3423906