Tameside Cycling Forum

Meeting Held 6.00 pm Monday 14th January 2008 at Ashton Council Offices

1. Attendance

Present

•  Cllr Andrew Doubleday Tameside MBC (Chair)
• Peter Brocklehurst Janus Road Club
• Alan Pickles Cyclist
• Janis Hett Cyclist
• Colin Foden TRY-CYCLES
• Stuart Bailey Sustrans Ranger
• John Bloomfield Cyclist
• Chijioke Ebizie Tameside MBC
• Mark McClure TRY-CYCLES
• David Collins CTC
• Nigel Gilmore Tameside MBC

Apologies

• Colin Ellis Dukinfield C. C.
• Michelle Murphy Tameside MBC

2. Minutes of meeting Monday 8th October 2007 and any Matters arising

1. JH noted that reference to Carl Baron’s input on Greatwood from the previous meeting was omitted. These views were represented in the appendix.

All other minutes were approved as a correct record.

3. Draft Terms of Reference for Approval

1. NG informed the Cycle Forum that the “Terms of Reference” has been published on the Council’s Cycle webpage.

4. Update on Tameside Cycle Strategy

1. Tameside MBC has received 2 tenders from consultants and one had been invited for a meeting on Wednesday (16/01/08) to clarify certain issues regarding their Tender submission.
2. Members were informed that any appointed Consultant will hold a “drop-in” session for forum members. This will be in a “Planning for Real” format.The overall consultation exercise will be extensive in nature in order to obtain a full cross section of views.It is hoped that as a result of the study a 3 to 4 year programme of cost effective cycling improvements will be determined.The terms of the Cycle Facilities Review allows for an 8-week completion period. It is planned that this work will be completed this financial year.NG to update the next meeting on progress NGDC wanted assurance that members will be given enough time to look at proposals presented by the Consultants. NG suggested 2 half days to be arranged by the Cycle Officer. CE

5. Tameside Tour 2008

1. It had been suggested that the date of the above should be agreed with Mossley Cycle Racing Team but nobody was present at today’s meeting. AllCE informed the forum that it is likely that Try-Cycles will manage the event in 2008. CEPB suggested the event be held in May to avoid the busy cycling calendar of June and July.Members suggested that the “start and end” location should be more central. Suggested areas to be considered include Ashton Town Centre, the Market, and Ashton Moss.NG suggested we explore organising Bike Week in partnership with Oldham. However it was noted that they already had a fixed format for their event.It was agreed that Tameside would look at alternative venues and circulate suggested dates for members to consider. CE

6. Any Other Business

1. SB wanted to know if any plans are being made to link NCN86 to the Tameside Cycle Network. In response the Cycle Officer noted provision had been made by showing advisory routes on the cycle map linking into the National Cycle Route Network.
2. DC wanted to know if any solution has been found for the bus “cut through” on Trinity Street in Stalybridge. NG informed the forum of some proposed works on Coronation Street, after which the bus “short cut” may be re-appraised as part of the overall cycle strategy for Stalybridge.
3. Note was made by the Forum of the “cycle priority” sign used on Abbey Hill Road in Oldham, which could be used elsewhere in Tameside.
4. The Council is currently promoting local bike rides within Tameside and the first ride took place in December 2007. The idea is to promote family style cycling in the local communities, within the borough. There are 3 more rides set to take place within this scheme. The dates are 26/1/08, 9/2/08 and 15/3/08. Further details are to be supplied to members. CE
5. JH informed members of activities in Dowson Primary school which involved the introduction of a new bike stand, provided by SUSTRANS
6. PB wanted to know if the use of the bridle path, which is a more direct route for the Trans Pennine Trail, has been looked at in greater detail.CE will consult SUSTRANS and also check land ownership on the suggested path.
7. JH wanted to know why Tameside MBC did not have a “Bike It” officer. NG Informed the Forum that the Council had originally applied to SUSTRANS for funding but were unsuccessful. Tameside MBC was put on the reserve list at the time and if one was to become available the Council will provide match funding if available.
   

7. Appendix A and Comments

Appendix A - Current Scheme Progress

Appendix A - Comments

In response to the above several comments were raised and included: -

1. DC wanted to know how much the works at Wakeling Road will cost compared  to the earlier request by the Forum to create a 2 – Way Cycle Lane on that stretch of the Trans Pennine Trail.NG stated that he did not have the actual figures, but that the new scheme will cost less. He also informed the forum that comparisons with crossing points on the Trans Pennine Trail in Stockport were not appropriate because there projects were carried out with section 106 agreements.
2. DC/PB were not happy with the proposed cycle network map reprint, since most of the routes in Tameside have serious bottlenecks that negate the usefulness of the map.CF suggested providing a map similar to Oldham MBC’s, which carries much more information.CE suggested that the Oldham map does not conform to the agreed format by the Greater Manchester LTP Cycling Subgroup. It was agreed that a new set of maps can be drawn up after the Cycle Facilities Review to reflect any new outcomes.DC feels that a map on the Internet could serve as a stopgap, while a complete review of the cycle maps is ongoing.
3. JB stated his unhappiness on the lack of consultation before the Higher Henry Street scheme was executed.

8. Date of next meeting 31st March 2008 @ 6.00pm.