ctc.rtr.sheffield

Latest from the council

2012-02-01T13:39:00.000Z

TRO's etc recently received:

South & East Community Assembly

Various increased parking restrictions including Bunting Nook, Granville Rd, Hemsworth & Warminster Rd, High St & Stone St Mosborough.

South West Community Assembly

Various increased parking restrictions including Abbeydale Rd South (nr, Dore Station/PnR site)
Baslow Rd/Hillfoot Rd (Totley) new Loading Bay for co-op @ Brooklands Ave, Ringinglow Rd @ Bents Green, Little Common Lane off Abbey Lane, various other locations
New Sheltered Parking @ Lydgate Lane

The general principle that is being adopted is that there should be no parking to at or near road junctions. As this improves sight lines & reduces vehicle movements it makes the roads the safer for all users, so I support these on principle.

Can provide scans of these paper docs on request.

Bridleways, Ecclesall Rd

2011-12-22T18:28:00.000Z

The latest communications from the Council:

The application to extinguish Bridleways 77 & 79 (between Redmires Rd & Lodge Lane) and turn them into footpaths has been turned down. This was hotly fought by local mountain bikers and the Friends of the Peak District.

On Ecclesall Rd, there will be some additional parking restrictions, most notably at the junction with Greystones Rd. The proposals have been toned down following a campaign including local residents
and cyclists. The principle that capacity improvements are only going to provide temporary respite and that encouraging people to car-share, use the bus, walk or cycle is the way forward seems to have been accepted.

Also a new pedestrian island on Birley Spa Lane.

Ecclesall Rd

2011-08-01T16:03:00.000+01:00

Had a useful meeting and ride along Ecclesall Rd with David Whitley, the council officer in charge of the Ecclesall Rd 'Smartroutes; project. We went through the list of Cyclesheffield proposals for the route and some of them look as though they could be progressed.

With the ones that caused us most concern, the proposal to create a right-turning lane at Greystones Rd is likely to be dropped. The outbound bus lane between Hunters Bar and Rustlings Rd is likely to go, but we expect to see at least a cycle lane here instead. This could be linked with a toucan crossing to get cyclists across to Rustlings Rd and a route through Endcliffe Park using the wider paths at the Hunters Bar end and the access road leading to Rustlings Rd. The inbound bus lanes will probably stay. Suggested that Gisborne Rd be closed to right-turning traffic, and to right turns onto Ecclesall Rd - drivers wanting to access the Greystones area would then have to use Tullibardine or Ringinglow Rds.

We looked at a crossing between Psalter Lane and Glenalmond Rd as well as the junction with Collegiate Crescent, which is more tricky.

Overall I felt we were being listened to and that cycling was being taken seriously as a form of transport, but don't hold your breath for improvements as in the current financial environment they might be a long time coming!

Ecclesall Rd

2011-04-06T16:47:00.000+01:00

The letter we've sent with regard to the Ecclesall Rd "Stupid Routes" proposal can be viewed via this link.

Rother Valley Connect 2 Scheme

2011-02-22T17:25:00.000Z

The next letter I've opened states that my objection/representation (translates as "letter of support") for the Connect 2 scheme will be made available for the Public Enquiry, which has come about as a result of the dispute between a landowner and the Council, and it looks as though I will be called to give evidence at the enquiry. Exciting times!

TRO - Shiregreen 20mph Zone

2011-02-22T17:13:00.000Z

Now this is more like it - a TRO introducing a 20mph zone for the whole of the Shiregreen Area (excluding Bellhouse Rd) I'll be writing to support this as I believe it will make the whole area safer, increase levels of walking and cycling and improve air quality as well as having a positive effect on social cohesion.

Ref is TR/37/071

TRO Children's Hospital & George St

2011-02-16T13:04:00.000Z

- Voucher Parking Bay outside children's hospital
- no loading or waiting on Clarkson St & parts of Durham Rd
- A loading only bay on George St.

No problems with any of that - anything that creates a bit more order out of the chaos in this area has to be a good thing.

TROs

2011-02-10T13:39:00.002Z

We have the following comments on TRO's received recently:-

TR/16/6017 Psalter Lane & Sandbeck Place

We SUPPORT this scheme but are concerned to ensure that sufficient space is left between the new parking bays and the carriageway. Traffic is regularly backed up between Cemetery Rd and Cowlishaw Rd, so cyclists have to either squeeze between parked cars and slow-moving traffic, risking having a car door opened on them, or overtake on the off-side against oncoming traffic, also not ideal. I trust this point can be taken into account in the final design.

TR/18/01 - School Keep Clear & Waiting Restrictions

We SUPPORT these proposals.

TR/16/6015, 6017, TR/17/CA, TR/20/10, TR/39/1009

We support the majority of these proposals. Ordinarily we would object to the provision of additional parking bays on Botanical Road & Bruce Rd but as these are part of the overall review of parking provision we will not be doing so on this occasion. We would however question whether providing additional parking spaces conform to the council Vision For Excellent Transport" "a culture where the car is not always the first choice."

Norfolk Park Rd - Traffic Calming and One-Way Arrangement

This scheme appears to be over-engineered and it seems to us that the simple imposition of a 20mph limit on this area, enforced by mobile cameras would meet most of the objectives of the scheme. There does not appear to be any provision for cyclists in this scheme - in particular there is no contra-flow arrangement for cyclists in the one-way section and in this respect we OBJECT to the scheme.

Whilst Speed Cushions are effective in controlling traffic speeds they make for a very uncomfortable ride for cyclists.

Busy week in Sustainable Transport

2011-01-21T14:04:00.001Z

I've been busy working hard on your behalf (unpaid) this week.

Tuesday saw the Sheffield City Cycle Forum which I chaired, in the absence of any politicians.

On the agenda were:

Access From Walkley to the City Centre - a small group from Cyclesheffield is working on this, and Gareth had put together an excellent report. We are working with the Central Community Assembly on this one as they've got what little money there is to progress it.

Dore Station Car Park Consultation. The PTE has bought the site of the former Garden Centre (for a cool 1.2million apparently ) and plan to put a P&R site on it. The plans they've put together so far a look a little too car-heavy and we'd like to see more of an integrated transport hub approach, with cars having their place in it of course. The station itself is due for development with an extra platform allowing more service to both travel through and call (on the Sheffield-Manchester line) and it would be good to see someone take over the station building as a business. The Bike Tree shop has recently opened nearby, and with Northern keen to improve integration with cycling there is lots of scope.Some platforms on the main line, allowing Sheffield - Dronfield - Chesterfield trains to call as well, would be great.

4. Cycle Contra-flow on One-way Streets. Transport for London are trialling this for the DfT with a view to rolling it out across the UK. Basically all you would need is an "Except Cyclists" sign on a No entry sign and away you go. It works on the presumption that every road is safe for contraflow cycling unless there is a compelling reason why not. It would certainly make life easier for Boris and Dave!

5. CycleSheffield Issues. Oughtibridge, Brocco Bank (it's driving us crazy - put in a report at http://www.sheffield.gov.uk/roads/schemes/drivingmecrazy2010 if it is you too. ) the Killamarsh Connect 2 scheme were discussed.

On Wednesday we had the Northern Rail Cycle Forum up in Darlington. It's a Cycling Demonstration Town and it was interesting to see what had been done to improve cycling. There is a network of off-road paths, most of which seemed to be good quality, although I believe the Darlington Cycling Action Group has issues with some of them. The sining, which is based on times rather than distances seemed pretty good. Apparently the town has increased its modal share from 1% to 3%, so they've made a good start, although it's hardly the 30% you see in Copenhagen. We pedalled out along a National Cycle Network route crossing the A66, and came back by a different route. One issue we had was that Andy was unable to get his hand-bike through a barrier unaided.

Here are some notes from the forum meeting:-

Darlington - town centre allows cycling.

Signs have times on rather than distance.

Bike It v. Successful.

Cycling has gone from 1% to 3%

car mileage has decreased.

Andy chamings hand bikes on trains.

Inclusive cycling conference 3rd March Sheffield.

Northern cycle policy needs to be amended to take hand bikes into account.

Increased use of flexible space.

Train conductors to do risk assessment.

Use of social media

Market research on Leeds - Sheffield corridor & city region.

Dore P&R

Waterfront conf discount for NRCF members

Station champions on NRCF website.

Get something on Look North?

Bike Rescue - York (Foot of Lendal bridge) Use of re-cycled bikes for bikerail

Thursday saw me take to the Peak Park Anniversary route to discuss the Porter Valley Masterplan with a group of stakeholders. Much of this was about how to stop Forge Dam lake from silting up, but the cycle route got talked about as well. The consultant seemed very interested in the prospect of making the route part of the National Cycle Network - perhaps he was thinking about getting hold of some Sustrans funding. Making it part of the NCN would also increase the pool of volunteers that the Friends of the Porter Valley could call on as well, in these days of the Big Society. So we are making some allies there, and it;s a long way from the days when members of the Friends referred to cyclists as "Lycra Louts"

Lastly, I headed up to Dore for the consultation on the Park and Ride, referred to above. Here are the questions to ask about the project:-

(Numbers refer to the diagram at http://www.sypte.co.uk/media.aspx?id=1626

Is there CCTV and will this permanently cover the cycle stands (and car park and platforms – I believe the station is to remain unstaffed)?
Are the cycle stands (at 12) in the correct place – would they be better on the platform, closer to the pedestrian entrance (at 5), or somewhere else?
Are there enough cycle stands (20 cycle stands = 40 bikes)? The current four stands are frequently used to capacity. Will the spacing be correct so you can actually park 40 bikes?
The fence between the car park and platform is solid, would railings be better (better public surveillance of the platform, car park and cycle stands)?
The extent of the waiting restrictions (13) and times of operation are not given. Apart from the reasons given in the leaflet (“Background – Current arrangements”), the extent of the restrictions should perhaps go further than the current ‘need’, as the road is quite narrow and on-street parking is a hazard to cyclists here (and other vehicles and peds who choose not to use the crossing). Additionally, whilst the car park may be adequate for current needs, in a few years time as train travel continues to grow, parking will spill over onto the roads again - particularly if a second platform is built as has been proposed and train numbers increase, creating greater P&R demand (including cycle parking). As commuter P&R is a peak hour issue, perhaps the waiting restrictions may be at these times only – do you think that they should be 24 hour, for example?
When parking demand exceeds supply (as is likely in the future), cars will park on any available space within there car park, usually pedestrian and landscape – just look at Centertainment at busy times! Such areas (e.g. at 10, 4, 5, between and around 9 and 10, around 2 and the pedestrian footways on the access road at the car park entrance/ egress points) need protecting from such inconsiderate motorists. Providing enforceable double yellow lines on the access road may help here whilst self enforcing physical measures would be more appropriate within the car park.
Pedestrians should be given priority where the car park access/ egress points are and not vehicles as is implied by the plan (i.e. the footway should be continuous) and this should form the start of internal traffic calming measures (the straight aisles appear to be about 100m long).
From a bus user point of view, access to the station is now in a less suitable location. As in the bullet point above, pedestrians should perhaps be given priority across the access between points 7 and 10.
Cycle access should be available, shared with peds, from the cycle stands (at 12) to the pedestrian crossing facility at 8. Cycle slips, from Abbeydale Road on the footway at the crossing should also be provided. If the crossing is signal controlled it should be a toucan, so that cyclists can legally use it. These measures will then allow cyclists a safer (and in some cases a more direct) right turn access to/ from the Station from Abbeydale Road and also decrease the risk of car/ cycle incidents within the car park itself. Additionally, it will provide a ‘right turn’ facility from Abbeydale Road into Dore Road for the less confident cyclist.
The pedestrian desire line, between the crossing and the platform entrance (at 5) will be a straight line across the car park. The layout should recognise this as it does at 10. Perhaps the layout should give more consideration to pedestrian needs? The current layout will lead to some pedestrian/ car conflicts.
Should there be a bus turning area adjacent to the station rather than having the bus stops on the road?

Sorry for the long post - thanks if you got this far!

Connect 2 Scheme - Killamarsh

2010-12-29T17:12:00.000Z

I had a letter from Legal Services notifying that the Public Bridleway Creation Order has been referred to the Secretary of State for determination following an objection.Am awaiting advice as to whether there's anything members of the public in Sheffield can do to support the order.

Cycle Tracks Order - Bowden Housteads Woods

2010-12-21T10:53:00.000Z

This one legally confirms the track between the Mosbrough Parkway/Sheffield Parkway and Handsworth Rd (ASDA) as a cycle track. This cuts off an unnecessary section of NCN Route 67, which takes you up to the next bridge before doubling back (& means that Sustrans Rangers can sign it) as well as providing a link between the TPT/NCN & Hansworth Rd so if you are a primarily on-road cyclist you can use the tarmac traffic-free sections of the Trans-Pennine Trail to avoid busy inner city roads and then take to Handsworth Rd, which as a former A-road that has now been bypassed by the Mosbrough Parkway, isn't all that busy. So it's perhaps of more use to CTC-type cyclists than people who would prefer to religiously take the Sustrans route.

The track was upgraded some time ago but this Order if approved will legally confirm its status, and may help in tackling the problems of anti-social behaviour, fly-tipping etc that occur in this area.

Simon

Cycle Track Order - Gleadless

2010-12-15T18:28:00.000Z

Got confirmation of a Cycle Track order - Gleadless Avenue to Hollinsend Rd. Not too sure why they're doing this (part of the City Centre - Gleadless Town End route perhaps?) but I don't have a problem with it anyway.

TRO's - Speed Reductions

2010-12-01T12:48:00.000Z

A little birthday present for me from the council - proposed reduction of the speed limit on A57 Manchester Rd from Cutthroat Bridge to Rivelin and on A61Penistone Rd through Greno Wood. Rivelin Rd 30 mph section to be extended slightly.

Setbacks to Sustainable Transport

2010-10-03T12:53:00.000+01:00

This week we participated in two major campaigns.

The cycling world is alarmed to hear that the government plans to abolish Cycling England - we know that cuts are coming but when is has been shown that investment in cycling, which costs very little, has a cost benefit ratio of 5:1 (for every pound you spend you get five back) we had hoped that the con-dems would show some sense. We've written to Nick Clegg about this (having the Deputy PM as your MP could turn out to be handy) and plan to follow this up with a visit to his surgery in November. We have heard, however (but not in writing) that the bikeability cycle training programme has been safeguarded

We were also alarmed to hear that the PTE had decided to cancel the planned trial of bikes on Supertram, following a negative response from Stagecoach that exaggerated the difficulties of allowing bikes on board, and played down the benefits. We won't this rest here, but we are getting a little tired of getting the run-around from the public transport operators. Stagecoach are the custodians of a system that was built with public money and should be operating it for the benefit of the community. Meanwhile another branch of the Stagecoach empire, East Midlands Trains, has been raising hackles by cancelling the buffet on London trains and running a trolley service instead and are still threatening to close the station footbridge to non-rail passengers.

This weeks meets

2010-09-07T19:12:00.000+01:00

Cyclesheffield meeting last night - good to see that the new structure is taking hold and people are are starting to take responsibility for their areas. Tonight I'm off to talk to Sheffield District CTC about campaigning issues , and tomorrow it's the Green Party meeting to talk about 20's plenty. Busy week!

Cycle Tracks Order

2010-08-17T12:26:00.002+01:00

got this today:-

CYCLE TRACKS ACT 1984 – SECTION 3
CONVERSION OF EXISTING FOOTPATHS TO SHARED FOOTPATH/CYCLE TRACKS AT THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS;
1. GLEADLESS AVENUE TO HOLLINSEND ROAD
2. BOWDEN HOUSTEADS WOOD

I've written to support these useful little links.

Sheaf Valley Park & elsewhere

2010-08-12T13:34:00.000+01:00

Some changes have been made to the proposals for this new park behind the Station. This now includes a shared use footpath between the Station tramstop and Shrewsbury Rd. This isn't quite the flat route alongside the tram tracks that we were looking for, but it will be a welcome addition to the rambling collection of leisure paths that was first envisaged.

In Hillsborough some restrictions on waiting on the back streets around Holme Lane are proposed. we support these.

Right to ride discussion list

2010-07-14T13:33:00.000+01:00

I've unsubscribed from the CTC's Right to Ride discussion list. I wonder whether anyone will notice? The reason is that I have become increasingly frustrated with the quality of the posts.People readily go off-topic, use it as a soapbox for their personal opinions, discuss the same topics over and over again - the CTC's proposed change to charitable status has dominated it recently, not really a lot to do with campaigning. There is no moderation and the Council member with responsibility for the Right to Ride network is one of the worst offenders. The whole thing is a mess - there is some feeling that setting up a network of individuals rather than groups was a mistake in the first place. My options seemed to be, resign as a Right to Ride or just unsubscribe from the list so I chose the latter and I feel better already. There is still some value in the RTR network but it needs to be radically reformed if it is going to reach its potential.

Baslow Rd

2010-06-10T11:46:00.000+01:00

Don't believe this one - a proposal to raise the speed limit on Baslow Rd (Totley to the city border) to the National Speed Limit (60mph) following the cock-up over the bus turning circle.

To re-cap on this one - the landlord of the cross scythes at Totley wanted to get the bus turning circle outside the pub moved because he wanted to do B&B and didn't want his guests disturbed by nasty noisy buses. The council, without doing any proper consultation, obliged and provided a turning circle and lighting all the way up to it. CPRE quite rightly objected, saying this was an extension of light pollution into the Peak District. Meanwhile, the pub went bust so there was no need to do this work after all. The lighting is being taken out - tend of thousands of pounds of public money wasted - and the only benefit to the travelling public was the reduction in the speed limit, which the petrolheads at the council now want to remove. Derbyshire CC has implemented 50mph on all its A-roads in the Peak district, and Sheffield ought to be matching this if it is serious about road safety.They also want to install an electronic warning sign so speeding motorists know when a bus is turning - with a lower speed limit there would be no need for this further expense.

I've objected of course, and you can too - write to eric.wilson at sheffield.gov.uk quoting ref TR/36/0

Bents Green

2010-05-28T13:06:00.000+01:00

Waiting restrictions and road humps are proposed to improve safety at Silverdale, Bents Green and High Storrs school.

We say:- that's all very well, but what about the rest of the area? Wouldn't a blanket 20mph limit on all the residential streets in the area be more effective?

City Centre (& Uni) Cycle thefts

2010-05-26T10:05:00.000+01:00

There has been a big increase in the theft of cycles from all parts of the city centre. Please be vigilant and inform the police of any suspicious activity.

There are also a small number of free smart water kits available to city centre commuters, ring John O'Malley on 252 3054. These would be probably be very effective at preventing the theft of individual bikes.

There have been quite a few thefts around the Uni as well. If you are in the Uni area in the evening you are welcome to use our lockers, located at Interval Bar, Concourse and Mappin. Please leave them clear in the daytime for staff use though.

This message was received via your hard-working Green Councillors!

No trouble at AGM!

2010-05-16T23:26:00.001+01:00

Went to the AGM yesterday - no not that one, the Cyclenation one silly! We had a successful meeting - two important motions were passed, the main one being to change our fee basis to a levy one.

The motions that were passed are as follows:-

This meeting resolves that, in accordance with Article 5 of the CCN Articles of Association, the membership fee structure of CCN be changed from a banded system based on group size to a levy per group member- system based on the declared membership of each member group at the date the levy becomes due.

This meeting resolves that the initial levy be 20p per member with a minimum fee per group of £20 and a maximum fee of £1,000 .

The minumum of £20 was agreed because we felt that even smaller groups could afford this, while the cap of £1,000 is so that groups with very large memberships such as London were not overly penalised.

This will enable the Cyclenation board to continue it's important development, with seats at the national and European tables. The potential is that as groups grow income will increase.

The meeting was very positive and agreeable and we have a new Board with some new members ready and willing to take the utility cycling agenda forward.

After the meeting we had an excellent lunch in the FOE cafe - well worth a visit , it's just a few minutes walk or ride from New Street, behind Moor St station. Then we had a bike round the cirty centre and had a look at some of the cycling facilities - much improved from the bad old days of Birmingham Motorway City. I took a longer ride along the canal towards Wolverhaampton which was also very enjoyable. Pictures below!

On the "other AGM" theme, on a personal basis I was very pleased to see that CTC council got the proposal to change the CTC's status to a charitable trust approved. The debate that surrounded this amended highlighted the structural problems that the CTC has, and with this decision in place the organisation can start to address these issues.

Grosvenor Place - kids were gathered here to party in the sunshine.

Canal, towpath, rail and road meet.

Netherton tunnel - it's a long one! Over 2000 metres.

I've often seen this sign from the train.

This heron didn't seem bothered by the passing trains

Sherborne Quay, back in town.

A wheeling ramp gets you back to street level

New Building in the city centre.

Bridleways

2010-05-14T15:27:00.000+01:00

It's Bridleway Day!

Have the following in from the council:-
Some changes to the bridleways at Fox Hagg, Lodge moor - part of an improvement programme.

And a big one:-
New Bridleway Killamarsh - Halfway.

This is part of the Connect2 programme, providing an alternative to the very nasty Station Rd (A616) . I'll be writing to strongly support this Order.

notification of a Public Inquiry into modifications to a footpath between Steel Hill and Birley Edge (the stuff I get!)

If you want more details of any of these please get in touch.

TRO's Crookesmoor

2010-05-09T10:39:00.001+01:00

Got TRO's for changes to the parking permit scheme in School Rd, Redcar Rd, Barber Place. Contact me if you'd like a look.

Hung TRO's

2010-05-07T11:12:00.001+01:00

Got a TRO through for Convent Walk (back of the old Glossop Rd baths) introducing a formal prohibition of driving. This is because the council is worried about people using it to get round the bus gate enforcement on Glossop Rd. I've asked for an exemption for cyclists. Workmen were putting up new signs when I arrived for work this morning so it looks as though enforcement is about to start. When it does cyclesheffield will organise a meet on the corner of Glossop Rd & Upper Hanover Way to monitor the situation.

Most of the TRO's I'm currently getting refer to keeping parked cars clear of junctions and bus "hot spots" I'm letting these go through "on the nod" as they generally benefit cyclists as well.

Future Cycling Cities

2010-04-19T17:52:00.000+01:00

Simon Geller There were some excellent presentations on twentys plenty at the future cycling cities conference in Portsmouth this weekend. Officers and politicians from Portsmouth talked about how they got the policy through, while a conservative cabinet member from Oxfordshire talked about how they did it in Oxford. One of the key… points that came through to me was that you can’t have sustainable economic growth without bringing in sustainable transport. In Oxford the issue is that to cater for increased motor traffic you would have to start knocking down the Dreaming Spires, and the same issue exists in Cambridge. In Portsmouth the issue is the physical constraints if living on a crowded island. Twentys plenty is a key component of creating an environment where people feel safe to walk and cycle.
Had a great bike ride towards London on the Sunday as well – ended up at Virginia Water.
Route desc here:
http://gb.mapometer.com/en/cycling/route_534454.html

view over Portsmouth - heading for the south downs

Progress on Upper Hanover Way

2010-04-19T17:50:00.000+01:00

Work is in progress on upgrading the cycle/walking route on UHW - something we've been pressing for since, well since the original scheme went in really.

The centre line should be burnt off and replaced in the middle once the work is complete. (or just burnt off completely - but I think the plan is that it will still be segregated.

The new crossing looks ready to go once the approach routes are finished.

At the moment the path is too narrow for two cyclists to cross without one going over into the pedestrian area. In the morning large groups of students walk up here to the University, presumably from the new apartments off London Rd, making cycling slow going. Also pedestrians have to cross the bike lane twice, creating conflicts.

The workman have thoughtfully put some tarmac down to make it possible to get round their containers
and into Broomhall.

This area has never worked particularly well - cyclists prefer to go in a straight line while many pedestrians seem to prefer to use the bike route. It would be better as a large shared use area so people could just veer around each other, coupled with a super-crossing so everyone could cross together rather than having the cyclists and the walkers corralled into different areas, again with different users often on the "wrong" side.

Annes Rd/Prospect Rd Crossing

2010-04-15T17:50:00.001+01:00

This is what the cycle lane leading to the crossing from the south looked like originally:-

No dropped kerb, just a short stretch of pavement painted red with some symbols on it.
Following some complaints, and the mentioning of some words like "Warirngton" which may or may not have had an effect, the council have now made quite a nice job of it:-

They've left the original cycle lane as you can see but otherwise made a nice wide shared area. However, the devil as ever is in the detail. On this occasion you couldn't access the dropped crossing because a car was parked across it (the photo was taken on match day, Bramall Lane is just down the road) If the double yellows had been stretched a bit further this would have solved this problem. The other issue is that the bollards on the other side are too close together to allow HPV*'s, wide trailers etc to get through (Heeley City Farm has several of these and there are others in the area - you can see the back end of one in the top picture.) So, 7 out of 10 perhaps?

*Human Powered Vehicles -freight carriers etc.

Report on Birmingham RTR day

2010-04-09T12:12:00.000+01:00

I promised a report back on this, and as I've just had the notes from Alec, the hardest working RTR co-ordinator in showbiz, this seems like a good time. I've borrowed heavily from Alec's report, but bringing out the salient points from my POV.

The purpose of the meeting was to take a fresh look at the existing and possible future regional structure of

the CTC Right to Ride network. The ideas and discussions at Birmingham give a very good starting point for

deciding what the CTC and the RtR Network do next.

Participants

24 RtR members attended, including some who were also CTC councillors or staff.

Four main topics were discussed:

- Working at a Regional Level
- Growing an Effective Network
- Training Issues
- Communication

There seemed to be considerable support for the concept of organising the RtR network on a regional basis.
Part of this support was to do with how to deal with government structures, and another part was recognising
that support for individuals was important.
Several comments showed that people felt isolated at times.
Financial support for the network was discussed, with the possibility of part time positions being available for
regional reps, and for a discounted category of CTC membership as a campaign member.
Formalising the network a little by expecting members to attend at least one regional meeting a year had
some support. Regular meetings would also help build a necessary better alignment of views between
individual reps and other campaign groups.
A more organised method of dealing with the mass of information involved was seen as very important, as
was developing individual members various skills.
Greater publicity in Cycle magazine for RtR was another request.
Better education of those responsible for road schemes was seen as necessary, and might be made easier to
organise if CTC became accredited to one or more professional institutions in the field of transport.

The ideas and discussions at Birmingham give a very good starting point for deciding what the CTC and the
RtR Network do next. We have hardly had a better opportunity to move forward. The drive must come from
both sides to be effective.

My key issues are that I don't feel that the RTR network is sufficiently valued by the CTC - the fact I had to fight to get travel expenses for this day is a case in point. Some of the ideas we had were - assess the value of the RTR network in monetary terms (i.e. as if we were getting paid) publish an annual report (RTRs are supposed to provide an annual report, but we are not asked for it, so many including myself don't, and the ones that are received are read by CTC staff but don't go any further) - enhance communication with a social networking site. (We are currently using Yahoo!, which while it has improved over the years has never been entirely satisfactory)

I found this to be very positive day, which was welcome at a time when the CTC is racked with in-fighting over the charitable trust issue. After the seminar Roger led us through the Bullring, some with bikes and some without, in search of a pub for a quick pint before heading home - unfortunately some people had to had off before we found one, but the experience was almost worth coming for in itself!

Off to brum

2010-03-26T17:17:00.001Z

I'm off to Birmingham for a conference on regional organisation of the CTC RTR network. Will let you know what transpires.

What do we want to see in LTP3?

2010-03-16T15:49:00.002Z

The Council along with the rest of South Yorkshire is drawing up its plan for transport for the next 5 years. What would we like to see in it? Ideas are being collected at ltp3 - please post comments to the blog. One thing's for sure - there won't be any money for large capital projects and small-scale cycling projects represent excellent value for money.

New Cycle Crossing open

2010-03-16T15:37:00.001Z

The new pedestrian cycle crossing is open at the bottom of Commercial St. This means you can get from Sheaf St, one of the busiest roads in Sheffield but now mostly having an alternative off-road route to Exchange St, Blonk St, the National Cycle Network and quieter roads to the North-East, without mixing with heavy traffic. A lot of the traffic has already been diverted away from this area by the Northern Inner Relief Road, but Sheat St still carries a lot of traffic from the West and South of the city towards the Parkway & M1. Eventually, we are told, there will be crossings on all the exits of Park Square (the parkway already has a subway conveying NCN6)

Cycling seems to be on the increase in this area - here's the cycle parking at the new offices on Blonk St (at the Five Weirs Walk entrance - this part of the Walk is closed at the moment however, for environmental works)

And this is the cycle parking at the PTE offices - wonder if any of these cyclists would ever find it useful to take their bike on the tram?

Consultations on new rail franchises

2010-01-24T23:32:00.002Z

The DfT have issued consultations on three train company re-franchises, all of which are (or were) part of the National Express group:

· Greater Anglia (London to Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire, parts of Hertfordshire and Essex) - http://www.dft.gov.uk/consultations/open/2010-07/

· Essex Thameside (London Fenchurch Street to Shoeburyness, via Grays, Tilbury, Southend) - http://www.dft.gov.uk/consultations/open/2010-09/

· InterCity East Coast (London to Leeds, Newcastle, Edinburgh and northern/eastern Scotland) - http://www.dft.gov.uk/consultations/open/2010-08/

At the same time, the Department has been busy re-jigging the way rail franchises will work. They aim to make the terms of the franchise longer, with the possibility of extensions if operators are prepared to invest in new stations, re-opened track or other major projects.

Although only one of these franchises passes close to Sheffield the consultation is open to all UK citizens. If you choose to respond please make the following points:-

The current franchising arrangements have failed to deliver for cyclists. Studies have shown that up to

10% of rail travellers want to travel with their bikes. Combining cycling with rail travel offers a real alternative to car travel for many journeys, decreasing congestion on the roads, improving the health and fitness of travellers improving air quality and contributing to UK targets to reduce carbon emissions.

The Franchise specification should therefore include the following conditions:

1. The new franchises should operate Minimum Standards for stations proposed in the Better Rail Stations report (http://www.ctc.org.uk/DesktopDefault.aspx?TabID=5327) which suggest that there be cycle parking for 5% of passengers at all stations, with major stations offering secure cycle storage with hire/repair services.
2. Tandems and trikes to be carried on all trains. These vehicles are used by the visually impaired and by others with mobility problems as well as by lots of families and of course many able bodied couples. The ban on tandems operated by many companies is an unacceptable discrimination. Intercity trains should have space for two tandems.
3. At least five bikes to be bookable on all booked services and more than five bikes to be carried on all services that cannot be booked. This is critical for family use of trains as part of a cycle trip or holiday. The present arrangement where many companies will only book two bikes effectively bans families, as using a family railcard all have to travel on the same train. Bikes should also be carried on peak hour services – the possibility of charging for this service should not be ruled out.
4. Child trailers to be carried (and bookable where appropriate). For the same family friendly reasons as above.
5. Guards to be trained in company policy on cycle carriage and any discretions to be clearly stated
6. The TOC to establish a cycle forum, on the award-winning Northern Rail model. This will facilitate co-operation and understanding between the TOC and the cyclist's groups of each other's needs and act as a steering group for bike-rail development.

No bikes on trams!

2010-01-20T17:22:00.002Z

It's been a mixed a couple of weeks for the movement to get bikes carried on trams

Greater Manchester "Integrated!" Transport Authority
have decided not to allow bikes on the new trams they are ordering for Metrolink extensions - see http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/green-living-blog/2010/jan/15/manchester-bikes-on-trams

Then at the Northern Rail Cycle Forum in Preston today we heard that the project team responsible for the tram-train trial (Sheffield to Rotherham Northgate via the freight line) had decided that the 4 vehicles they were ordering would not carry bikes. The somewhat inadequate reason we were given for this was that passengers would be confused as some trams would be carrying bikes and others not.

We were outraged to hear this - how can this be a proper trial if these vehicles don't carry bikes? These are vehicles that are intended to replace heavy rail vehicles that do carry bikes on suburban & rural lines.

I got back to town in time to relay this news to the City Cycle Forum and it received a similar response to mine. Councillors will be taking this forward and an ally at the SYPTE will be making enquiries as to how this decision was made.

Meanwhile, Edinburgh has made a historic, for the UK, decision to allow bikes on its new Trams - see http://news.scotsman.com/latestnews/Tram-chiefs-agree-to-be.4727223.jp

20's plenty for Nether Edge

2010-01-17T17:03:00.002Z

Nether Edge Neighbourhood Group are organising a petition for 20mph limits in the South Sheffield area - news story at

http://www.thestar.co.uk/news/Residents-demand-20mph-limit-for.5985434.jp#4825788

I'd urge CTC members and others who live in the area to sign it.

Contact details on the website at http://www.netheredge.org.uk/

Bradfield Rd

2010-01-17T16:33:00.002Z

Had cause to visit Bradfield Rd (between Penistone Rd & Hillsborough Corner) yesterday, both by bike and car as I was there to pick my car from the mechanic (unlike many Sheffield motorists I believe it to be important that all your lights and indicators are working, and of course the bike is the easiest way to get to and from the garage)

What a nasty environment the council has made of this road. It started with putting barriers up to keep pedestrians out of the road - at a time when visionaries like South Kensington were realising the benefits of taking street furniture away - and this was compounded by the "it's driving me crazy" initiative which removed the hatching to force traffic into a single lane as you approached the Langsett Rd junction.

The result is a speedway, pedestrians penned into a narrow pavement - totally inappropriate for a shopping street, and just enabling potential shoppers to speed away to Meadowhall.

I wish I'd campaigned harder to stop this from happening. Still you can't win them all I suppose.

Modal Shift in Sheffield

2009-12-31T18:30:00.005Z

Many European and worldwide cities are reallocating road space to walkers, cyclists, buses and trams in preparation for a low-carbon future. Here's what Sheffield is doing:-

Here a cycle route is being destroyed in order to make room for a few more cars. The cycle route, which is part of the flagship Trans-Pennine Trail, will be replaced but will be diverted and will be much narrower. This is in an area with some of the worst air pollution in Europe.

Here is another, nearby, example of cycle route planning in Sheffield

This is the Trans-Pennine Trail crossing of Meadowhall Rd. The walker or cyclist has to cross three busy two-lane carriageways. It is impossible to see the traffic lights so you have to guess whether the traffic is going to stop or not and make a run for it. This route is supposed to be cycleable by a 12-year-old unaccompanied. There have been a number of collisions involving cyclists in the area.

TRO's

2009-12-23T14:51:00.003Z

New stuff in from the council -

Tesco Development - Savile St.

This development will entail a new entrance from Spital Hill, thus part of the bus lane will be revoked. Part of Savile St will be made a clearway. Carlisle St will be closed off at the junction with
Spital Hill (but not for cyclists we hope) The main entrance will be on Savile St - I believe there will be an off-road cycle lane & toucan crossing at this point which I am not particularly happy about.

Whiteways School

Restriction of parking outside the school.

Shefffield TRO's December 2009

2009-12-18T00:14:00.002Z

Have been asked for comments on the following proposals:

Ringinglow Rd increased parking restrictions to improve child safety close to Ecclesall Junior.

Sharrow Vale comprehensive revisions to parking schemes.

- Endcliffe

- Sharrow Vale & Botanical

- Stalker Lees

- Napier

- Lansdowne

- Grange

- Porterbrook

- Hunter House.

Any comments welcome.

2009-12-09T16:15:00.002Z

Some things that Sheffield cyclists need to make their voices heard on..

Meadowhead roundabout & Woodseats http://bit.ly/7HPz4

Penistone Rd http://bit.ly/6Urwda

Ecclesall Rd http://www.smartroutes.co.uk/ecclesallroad/

Hillsborough Corner TRO

2009-10-29T23:41:00.000Z

I've had the notification of the Experimental Traffic Order that amends the hours of operation of the bus and tram gates on Middlewood Rd from 0700 to 1900 daily to 0700-1100 and 1500-1900 on Monday to Saturday inclusive

As it is experimental it will be in force for six months and the City Council will be considering whether the provisions of the Experimental Order should be continued in force indefinitely.

The grounds for objection, should anyone wish to do so, are quite specific so I am copying them here:-

Any person who wishes to question the validity of the Order or any of its provisions on the grounds that it is not within the powers of the enabling Act or that a requirement of the enabling Act or any of the relevant regulations made thereunder has not been complied with may, within six weeks of the 29th day of October 2009, make application for that purpose to the High Court.

As you can see from that the grounds for objection are pretty stringent!

However I can see one potential grounds for objection, that this notice is dated "this 30th day of October" - i.e. tomorrow.

I think the hours that the bus gate will operate for cover a large part of the working day and it might not be as bad as we feared. There is an opportunity to make representations during the six month experimental period,

Also covered in this mailing:-

Lydgate Lane and Monteney Crescent

Basically traffic calming around Lydgate Infant & Middle School

Meadow Street Revised Permit Parking Scheme.

Adjustments to the existing parking permit scheme.

Will be happy to pass on plans to anyone who wants to have a look.

Address for making representations:-

Mrs C Doran
Development Environment and Leisure
2-10 Carbrook Hall,
Sheffield
S9 2DB

Issues for Cycle Forum

2009-09-15T12:26:00.002+01:00

Cyclesheffield has posted the following issues for response by the council at the Cycle Forum:-

Penistone Road / Hillfoot

On the recent NCN6 ride it was noted that the cycle crossing at Hillfoot/Penistone road didn't seem to have been retimed to take advantage of the new left turn only lane making this a very long wait.

Corporation Street: Roundabout over river cycle lane The signal controlled cycle lane across the centre of the roundabout from Mowbray St to Nursery St is activated by a waiting cyclist. On arriving at this signal traffic is often emerging from Nursery St suggesting that it would be safe to cycle across rather than stop – but the signal is on red and it takes quite a while to wait for the next Nursery St phase. Changing this would speed up cyclist journeys and increase use of this cycle lane.

West St / Eldon St

The cycle bypass to allow cyclists uphill onto West St has a noentry

sign – is it missing an 'Except Cyclists' sign underneath? (FYI this is easily viewed on Google Streetview)

Abbeydale Road / Fieldhead Road & Staveley Road

How about a toucan crossing on Abbeydale Road at Fieldhead and Staveley Roads? This would

allow cyclists to get across more easily in traffic and complement the existing cycle route here. A lot of pedestrians struggle to get across here too.

I have a few more, gathered at last nights cyclesheffield meeting - apologies for late submission, I appreciate it may not be possible to provide answers for todays meeting:

Mappin St - the contraflow lane was "overlooked" when this was made one-way, then delayed by the RNIB re-build. When will this now be implemented?

Clarkson-Osborne building, Penistone Rd - I read in the Telegraph that this is now to be demolished, which is a great shame as it is a classic building of its type. However, it does give an opportunity to sort out this section of the Penistone Rd cycle route, NCN6, which passes too close to the vehicle access points of the building for safety. Could officers please ensure that this problem is addressed?

We were advised that Supertram cyclist's safety work would commence during this financial year, but we have yet to see anything on the ground. When is this scheduled for?

Bramall Lane subways - is there any progress on "cycle-ising" this, as it now has cycle lanes approaching from nearly every direction? (With the exception of Bramall Lane - London Rd to the south of St Mary's gate, which would be useful for some journeys)

2 New planning apps

2009-09-14T12:42:00.003+01:00

The council has submitted 2 new planning apps: one is for an extension to the Chapeltown Greenway - this will take it as far as the Yalta industrial Estate which IS in Chapeltown: A future extension will link it to the TPT at NCN/TPT at Cart Road early next year, subject to a funding bid recently submitted. The route will be bituminized as well. This is great news for Chapeltown residents who will have a route free of motor traffic all the way to Meadowhall. In particular it will avoid the nasty hill between Chapeltown and Ecclesfield.

The other one is for an "iconic" bridge over the Parkway near Tinsley Golf Course. This will remedy the shameful current situation where pedestrians, cyclists and horse-riders are supposed to cross the 70 mph Sheffield Parkway at surface level.

I will be writing to support both these applications - should you wish to comment you can do so

at SCC's planning portal, http://planning.sheffield.gov.uk/publicaccess/DC/dc_home.aspx

by searching for following refs:

Chapeltown Ref: 09/02522/FUL

Parkway Ref: 09/02783/FUL

More Traffic Regulation Orders

2009-08-22T12:57:00.001+01:00

Glossop Rd: Extend tram gate as far as Cavendish St. Operating 4-6:30 p.m.
we support this although there are concerns about the impact on cyclists using the Portobello cycle route, as traffic will be diverted across it.

Parson Cross Child Safety Zone

We Support this: However we would like to see the implementation of CSV's accelerated by bringing in 20mph zones without waiting for infrastructure improvements.

TRO's

2009-07-26T15:24:00.002+01:00

Wincobank School, Newman Rd & Lydgate Lane

Traffic calming & Waiting restrictions.

CTC supports these proposals.

TROs

2009-07-15T10:50:00.001+01:00

Bunch of TRO's relating to the Tudor Square refurbishment, tightening up parking and loading restrictions. I'm going to write to support these.

Bus Punctuality Improvement Plan

2009-04-02T17:32:00.002+01:00

Responded to this today.

The proposal covers a raft of measure to extend bus lanes on Bolsover St, Exchange Place, introduce a bus gate at Station Rd Woodhouse, and revoke an existing bus gate at Southey Hill (which was unpopular with residents apparently) replacing it with traffic calming.

It is also proposed to exclude motorcycles from bus gates on Furnival Rd at Derek Dooley Way, Holme Lane to Langsett Rd at Hillsboro Corner, Infirmary Rd to Penistone Rd at Shalesmoor, London Rd at Asline Rd, & Shalesmoor. This is because DfT rules do not allow the council to lawfully sign bus gates for motorcycles.Shucks.

Response:-

Thank you for your letter dated the 18th of March.

We SUPPORT the measures at Bolsover St, Exchange Place/Park Square and Woodhouse terminus.

We OBJECT to the removal of the Bus Gate at Southey Hill. This will increase motor traffic in the area and make it more dangerous for cyclists.

Exclusion of motorcyclists. We are pleased to see that the Department for Transport has taken a more logical view on this issue than Sheffield City Council. However, as the council has previously made it known that motorcycles are allowed to use bus lanes even when there are no signs permitting them to do so, signs should now be erected specifically excluding them from these facilities.

Broomhall Parking Review

2009-04-02T11:34:00.001+01:00

Responded to this today. In summary:

The 4-hour restrictions should apply to specific parts of the Scheme rather than the whole Scheme: People parking within the whole area should be restricted to 4 hours rather than being able to move within the area - this leads to people swapping places at lunchtime, for instance.

We would not like to see any extra 4-hour or unrestricted parking in the area. The Scheme has made a big difference to the traffic in the area and increased cycling and walking, not just in Broomhall but on the corridors that people use to access the area. We would not like any of the benefits to be taken away. We welcome the extensions to the permit holders only areas.

At the junction of Havelock Street (where I live) and Holberry Gardens the extension of the bays and reduction in the double yellow lines is a bad idea. This area is used a lot by local children playing in the streets and anything which potentially restricts visibility around here is likely to impinge on safety.

4) We welcome the future cycle access at the junction of Holberry Gardens and Brunswick Street. This was omitted from the original scheme for no apparent reason.

Councils spend more on compensation claims over potholes than on repairing them.

2008-10-08T13:34:00.001+01:00

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7658956.stm

Councils claim they are spending more on compensation claims over potholes than on repairing them.

Tescos Bedale Rd

2008-10-01T11:55:00.000+01:00

The application for a Tescos store at this location has been granted provisionally. Provisions include:

2 The retail unit shall not be used unless the car parking accommodation for 16 cars to the front of the site and 11 cars to the rear of the site as shown on the approved plans has been provided in accordance with those plans and thereafter such car parking accommodation shall be retained for the sole purpose intended unless otherwise agreed in writing by the Local Planning Authority.

3 Before the development is commenced, full details of suitable and sufficient cycle parking accommodation within the site shall have been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority and the retail unit shall not be used unless such cycle parking accommodation has been provided in accordance with the approved plans and thereafter such cycle parking accommodation shall be retained for the sole use of the development hereby permitted.

11 The development shall not be begun until the improvements (which expression shall include traffic control, pedestrian and cycle safety measures) to the highways listed below have either;

a) been carried out; or

b) details have been submitted to and approved by the Local Planning Authority of arrangements which have been entered into which will secure that such improvement works will be carried out before the retail use is commenced

Highway Improvements: Bedale Road - footway/carriageway alterations

Which leads me to wonder whether the opportunity will be taken to improve the ridiculous arrangements between bedal & empire rds?

(See http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l9csKA9iAps )

Simon

Recent TROs

2008-08-31T20:21:00.002+01:00

Changes to the TRO on Hurlfield Rd to allow cyclists to use the road legitimately:
Sharrow Vale - change loading bay to Pay & display: Introduce Car Club parking
Traffic calming in Greystones Rd near the primary school

Prohibition of parking near junctions in numerous parts of the city.

The CTC SUPPORTS these proposals.

Our Cycling Champion waits in the queue

2008-06-04T16:57:00.002+01:00

(Steve Marsden, First point reception, Howden House)

Steve: "I'd like to talk to someone about cycling please"
First Point Receptionist: "Sorry mate, there's 26 motorists in the queue before you!"

How Sheffield Turned it's Back on the Sheffield Stand

2008-06-04T16:42:00.006+01:00

As the Sheffield City Council website proudly proclaims, "The first Sheffield Stands were designed and installed in Sheffield in 1986. This simple design has since been widely adopted across the globe. "

As it is symmetrical, the Sheffield stand makes it easy to lock your bike at both ends. It supports your bike as you load it with heavy shopping

However, the city that invented the Sheffield Stand has turned it's back on it. Instead, the Town Planners have insisted on installing a more stylish but less functional alternative:

(These examples are at Howden House, the council admin building in Sheffield)

The curved shape makes it more difficult to lock your bike securely, whilst there is no support for a laden bike at one end.

The council certainly didn't get Best Value out of these ones:

They are a bit too close to the wall to get two bikes on!

Cyclist Give Way Signs in Sheffield

2008-05-28T13:15:00.005+01:00

Welcome to CTC Right to Ride Reps Nationally.

In Sheffield we seem to have cornered the market in "Cyclists Give Way to Pedestrians" signs. These are definitely preferable to "Cyclists Dismount" (we have plenty of those as well though).
Sheffield cyclists may not be aware that these are not in common use elsewhere.

Here are some examples:

This is at Castle Square (Formerly the infamous Hole in the Road.) The cycle route
allows cyclists from the north to access the High Street. As you can see it's a busy and narrow section of street with high footfall, but nevertheless the arrangement works well.

A continuation on the other side of the road would create a new North-South route across the city:

However, the council haven't agreed to this. A toucan crossing would be needed for Arundel Gate.

This one is at Pond St:

This is part of the emerging Inner Ring Cycle Route and allows cyclists to cross the severed part of Pond St, avoiding Flat St (Flat St isn't flat and Pond St has no ponds).
These signs were much admired by Sustrans staff when they were in town.

A contra-flow and ramp are needed to allow cyclists to continue North:-

This links into the National Cycle Network to the North and East of the city.

A few other sights around town:-

Bike stands in use at the Interchange, for travellers continuing their journey by bus.

This lot turned up whilst I was taking pictures:-

...& headed off up the High St

Bikes are increasingly being used by the emergency services in Sheffield as well as the City Ambassadors and our Cycling Paramedic service should get off the ground shortly.

Murder in Dewsbury

2008-05-27T16:20:00.002+01:00

I wasn't very surprised to read about a murder in Dewsbury. Having passed through a few times I think its a dreadful place - the destruction in public places was appalling. I think its the town that New Labour forgot. Can't really recommend it for a bike ride.

Northern Rail Cycle forum

2008-04-23T12:48:00.006+01:00

To Huddersfield yesterday for the the Northern Rail Cycle forum. The quickest way out of town for me is past the University, but that would entail the same route I take every day to get to work, so I skipped round via Pond St & Snig Hill to Shalesmoor and then along the new North Don route to Hillsborough, this starts off well but peters out towards the end, so across P*nistone Rd and out along Middlewood, which it still closed to motor vehicles but cycleable. This route isn't too bad until you get past Stocksbridge, where there is a short but highly unpleasant section along the A616 to the Flouch. Stopped at Langsett Cafe for a mug of tea and a teacake - a youngish guy has taken it over and is trying to start a bike hire business as well, so I've asked him to keep in touch with us on progress.

From there it's over the top paast Hepworth and down into the Holme valley. The long valleys on the appeoach to Huddersfield make for great cycling, high speeds are indicated. Made it in good time for the free lunch at 12. On a good quality road bike it doesn't take much longer to cycle to Huddersfield than it does to get the train!

At the NRCF we looked at the progress that had been made with the Cycling Strategy targets, (quite good actually) and discussed the impact that the tram-train trial would have on the P*nistone line, and for cyclerail generally. It's a bit early to draw conclusions, but there is an opportunity here to provide some really excellent provision for cycles, and break the "bikes on trams" barrier that we seem to have hit here in the UK.

After the meeting I thought I would go off and "get my kicks" on NCN Route 66. This is confusingly signposted from Huddersfield Station as Route 69. It's a bit weird because although it looks like an old railway, it must have been infilled a lot as it switchbacks along. It also seems to be infested with kids on illegal motorbikes. This gets you as far as Bradley where there is a bit of a gap- for future reference you need to turn right on the B6118, then the entrance to this bit of 66 is to the left according to streetmap. There followed a nice bit of rail trail, taking you to Mirfield where things got a bit complicated but Sustrans Rangers looked to have been out putting up temporary signage - thanks for that guys! The route continues through Mirfield where a fair amount of damage looks to have been done partticularly in the park, where an archway has had most of the bricks kicked out of it, and into Dewsbury, which I recommend avoiding completely. There's a junction with the Spen Valley Greenway (see my earlier post about that) so I took that down to the canal (Aire & Calder) where sadly the smooth surface runs out, and bumped along the towpath as far as Horbury Bridge, where I took to the road to Horbury, feeling sorry for the commuters in an endless queue of cars and then followed the perfectly decent Rhubarb cycle route to Wakefield.

Got the Northern Fast service back to Sheffield - a Bike Friday owner got on at Barnsley and tried to squeeze his bike into the tiny bike cupboard (this was not Sir William Wilberforce) but although I took my panniers off to make it easier for him I think he thought better of it and folded it anyway.

Surprise View, Early Morning

2008-04-17T09:53:00.002+01:00

A car
lies on its roof, spinning slowly
The driver hangs from his seatbelt
Blood runs out of his mouth and into his eye
A sheep stares
incuriously

(From a description of a road traffic accident at Surprise Corner, Derbyshire, Thursday 17th April)

TRO - Ringinglow Rd

2008-04-13T20:03:00.002+01:00

Latest TRO received proposes to reduce the speed on Ringinglow Rd from 60 to 50. Not enough but its a start - perhaps a recognition that speed actually is a factor in accidents?

My way or the highway...

2008-03-02T21:15:00.001Z

http://www.sierraclub.org/sierra/200803/bikeway.asp

4 wheel drive on the beach.

2008-02-10T14:14:00.001Z

You can take these things anywhere you know!

HGV's in Bus Lanes

2008-02-06T10:13:00.001Z

Photo from the Croydon area.
Let's hope Sheffield City Council don't get any ideas!

(sign indicates that HGV's over 3,5 metres long are allowed in the bus lane. Cyclists who do not wish to mix it with HGV's are offered a Shared Use pavement (shared with private cars by the looks of it)

(Photo: jim bush, RtR Croydon)

Tesco unveils new cycling initiative.

2008-02-05T17:11:00.001Z

Great for practising your cycling skills!

Supertram special

2008-01-27T10:13:00.001Z

Blogged from the tram

Strange signage

2008-01-13T15:32:00.001Z

Location: Roundabout at top of Parkway Ave.

You can't really see it but the blue (cycleroute) sign on the left says Darnall & City Centre. The green sign on the right, which is missing most of its letters, says ity e tre or some such and points to the right. OK this is directing motor traffic onto the Parkway but the city centre is still in the opposite direction to the cycle route. I suppose the intention is to direct cyclists across the bridge over the parkway and in on the NCN route, but as the signs are missing from this bridge all that is likely to happen is that you are going to get lost, and probably get a puncture into the bargain. I would go Parkway Ave then either Cricket Inn Rd or Woodbourn Rd/Worthing Rd and perhaps the 5WW for the last leg to town (if it was open)

Darnall is vaguely in the direction the sign points, but it's still not the route I would use. (Parkway Drive & Acres Hill makes more sense)

Taxis on Castle St etc

2008-01-04T13:09:00.000Z

A taxi queuing up in the cycle lane on Bank St. When I started taking picture he and his colleagues moved up to park on the pavement instead...

Meanwhile, round at the Business Park on the Wicker...

I agree with the sentiment of course but what are you supposed to do? Tie your bike to the fence and give it some hay and a drink of water?

Cycle parking - Hallamshire Hospital

2007-12-24T18:36:00.000Z

Just in case you thought the Ha Ha Hallamshire had anything to do with health...

Sustrans Rangers set up own litter bin.

2007-12-11T11:36:00.001Z

Fed up with the failure of the council to sort the litter problem on the NCN, Sustrans Rangers have set up their own litter bin at the manor way access point.

Alternative Shopping Trolley

2007-12-10T16:58:00.001Z

Spotted on Glossop Rd

Debate on road fatalities in HoC, 5th Dec 2007

2007-12-08T16:23:00.000Z

http://www.theyworkforyou.com/whall/?id=2007-12-05a.284.1&s=cycle#g284.2Mark07971

Pp meet

2007-12-08T11:37:00.001Z

8th dec

Empire rd

2007-12-05T17:14:00.001Z

Total chaos!

Empire rd

2007-12-05T17:01:00.001Z

Strange arrangement here!

Little London rd

2007-12-05T16:53:00.001Z

Will they ever finish it?

TdeF earns London 120million

2007-11-29T12:06:00.000Z

Worth mentioning when the whingers start on about the Tour of Britain next year...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/7115228.stm

Sunny Bank - Bedale Road Cycle Route

2007-11-28T15:09:00.000Z

A few more bits of this route have gone in, including ASL's at the junct. of Washington/Wostenholm Rd & Sharrow Lane (much needed) and a rather strange turning arrangement at the junction of Empire Rd & Abbeydale Rd.

New TRO's

2007-11-28T13:08:00.000Z

Falding Street (Chapeltown) - Controlled Parking Zone
Oughtibridge - creating no waiting zones on various roads being used by through traffic
avoiding closure of Middlewood Rd. 6 months, experimental.
Firth Park South. 20mph Child Safety Zone. I shall write to support this. Slower speeds aid cyclists.

If you have any comments on any of these or would like to see the plans use the blogger comments facility or email.

Quick Notes from Cycle Forum 13th Nov

2007-11-14T11:57:00.000Z

Presentation from Rob Stanley about Connext2

TV prog is on 4/12

Link to tram

NIRR opens Sun

Bus lane cameras on Wicker/Snig Hill

A review of broomhall & hill parking schemes is upcoming. Comments welcome.

Supertram safety scheme in next financial year.

New signage scheme for cycle routes

Herries RD/Scraithwood Drive puffin.

Leopold St "fan" puts cyclists in danger.

Snig Hill/Burngreave - Andrew R. is on the case.

Traffic Regulation Orders (TRO's)

2007-11-10T18:04:00.000Z

(i) Brincliffe Gardens/Osborne Rd.

Additional parking/waiting retrictions.

(ii) East Bank Rd - road safety scheme at junction of Northern Ave. I tend to support these even if they cause some inconvenience (but not danger) to cyclists as I think the overall benefits outweigh the minor inconveniences.

Any comments to me asap please (via blog or email list). By the time I get these they are pretty much done and dusted.

Around the city...

2007-11-08T16:22:00.000Z

...a sign on Staveley Rd, probably Sheffield's bumpiest on-road bike route at the moment says that re-surfacing will start on the 15th, 2007. It doesn't say what month though!

People have asked where the next CCTV on Bus Gates will be. Well, all the Bus Gates on the Northern Inner Relief Rd will be covered by CCTV. A new publicity campaign under the "Free the Sheffield Buses and Trams" banner has been launched.

The CTC is setting up a Cycle Parking website where cyclists can feed into the process of deciding where new cycle parking should go, and Sheffield has agreed to take part. We will be happy to enter our list of cycle parking requests -
http://tinyurl.com/2zmr8c - on the system once it is set up.

Simon
Sheffield Cycle Campaign

p.s. Cyclists Social, Bath Hotel Victoria St Thursday 15th Nov 8-10.
All welcome.

Rotherham Station improvements

2007-11-06T11:04:00.000Z

SYPTE Press Release.

Aedas wins £2.5m South Yorks station design brief
Filed 30/10/07

Architectural practice Aedas has been selected to design a £2.5m railway station at Rotherham in South Yorkshire.

The brief - for South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive, Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council and Yorkshire Forward - will see the existing station upgraded to match similarly improved stations in Barnsley, Doncaster and Sheffield.

Rotherham station is included in regeneration body Yorkshire Forward’s Urban Renaissance programme and will gain a passenger lounge, retail space and a travel and information centre.

Melanie Dei Rossi, principal project Manager of SYPTE said: “The catalyst for the change within Rotherham has been Yorkshire Forward’s Urban Renaissance programme which has set out a new agenda for the future of the region’s towns. Developing the railway station is going to be an important part of Rotherham’s regeneration.”

Work on remodelling the station is expected to take place in 2009/10 and will be the first phase of a four-phase programme. Future phases will include the provision of lifts to the platforms, dualling the track access to increase train frequency and lengthening the platforms.

Aedas project manager Alistair Branch said: “The redeveloped station will present a dramatic and architecturally impressive gateway for visitors and daily users. It will provide passengers with a fantastic improvement in waiting facilities, while also upgrading links to the town centre.”

Any local/EMCF feedback yet?

My initial thoughts:

Rotherham station is already on NCN6 and has reasonable - not great - cycle links to the town centre, which has suffered more from the imposition of Meadowpool than Sheffield. NCN6 could be improved in the area - it suffered heavily on the floods. Rotherham has yet to complete the link to Aldwarke - a stroppy boatyard owner is refusing to allow a right of way & Rham are fighting shy of a CPO.

A long-term ambition has to be a route alongside the River Don linking back to the NCN at Conisborough.

The station itself has dual tracks but the connecting line from the MML to the Rother Valley line is single - this was all done in a hurry and on the cheap when Masborough station was closed.

Rotherham has no CTC RTR so I'll have to take it on.

Wicker

2007-11-06T10:29:00.000Z

The council have posted proposals to restrict traffic on the Wicker, now the bulk of the traffic has been taken off it by the NIRR . These will help to restore this area to its former glory and prosperity and attract inward investment. We have written to support the proposals.

Boston St/Cemetery Rd.

2007-11-06T10:11:00.000Z

Those who follow this route in the morning may have noticed that there is slightly less traffic queuing to use the bus gate. This is because, further along on Denby St (some of you may recall the popular children's nursery there that was closed so the land could be sold to developers for student apartments) a Traffic Regulation Order has come into effect closing the road and making it impossible to get to Bramall Lane and thus the Inner Ring Road by this route. Presumably people are currently driving down there, finding they can't get through legally, and either turning round or driving through illegally - hopefully they will start using Sheffield's trunk road system as they are supposed to (or even switch to bikes/public transport!)

Devonshire Green

2007-08-23T17:38:00.001+01:00

Received notification of a closure order for the Devonshire Green cycle track which I queried as follows:

Thank you for notifying me about the Stopping Up order for Devonshire
Green which was returned by the Post Office.

I do have a concern about this order, which is that no detail of what
the replacement facility will be, once the park is refurbished, is
given. The cycleway across Devonshire Green is part of the Peak Park
Anniversary Route as well as the local cycle network, and as a
flagship route should be restored to a high standard. I have no
problem with the cycle path being removed temporarily as long an
alternative facility of a high standard is provided in the long term.

There are no details of the plan in the conditional planning consent
- 06/04110/RG.

I would be grateful if you would let me have details of what is proposed.

Response was as follows:

This is a footpath closure as indicated in the wording of the Order. The
cycle route is not affected and this is clearly shown on the Order plan. The
cycle route will remain open during, and after, the period of site works on
the adjoining Devonshire Green.

Please contact Rob Barker in Planning (tel. 2734473) if you are interested
in details of the pedestrian facilities on the new public open space area.

So that's OK then!

Batemoor Bus Link

2007-07-23T12:46:00.001+01:00

Proposal for a road hump on the Batemoor bus link road. I supported this.

A message from ibike

2007-06-30T13:29:00.001+01:00

International Bicycle Fund / Ibike Update
(roughly semi-annual), June 2007

CONTENTS:

BICYCLE ESSAY CONTEST WINNERS: Winners of the 2007 Student Bicycle Essay Contest
TEACHING KIDS (AND ADULTS) TO RIDE A BICYCLE: A good start leads to more bicycling.
UPCOMING IBIKE PROGRAMS: Cameroon, South Korea, Vietnam, Uganda, Tanzania. Expand your horizons, enrich your mind, stimulate your body, and nourish you spirit.
ATENAS DE CUBA PEOPLE-TO-PEOPLE PROGRAM UPDATE: Having hope in Congress.
DONATE TO IBF ONLINE:
HOUSEKEEPING MATTERS:

INTRODUCTION

We hope that the weather and road conditions around you are conducive for you do all the bicycling that you desire. Meanwhile we are helping individuals and organizations to promote sustainable transport and understanding, worldwide. Here is a brief program update:

WINNERS OF THE 2007 STUDENT BICYCLE ESSAY CONTEST

The winning essays from the 2007 International Bicycle Fund Student Essay contest are posted on our website. The winners are: "Bike Riding Is Not Just For Fun", by Tiffany Liu, age 7, Jen Ranch Elementary, Castro Valley, CA; "Benefits of Biking", by Kathleen Davin, age 13, Elwood Middle School, Elwood, NY; and, "Biking: My Life, My Love", by Doreen Xu, age 15, Baylor School, Chattanooga, TN. Each writer receives a cash prize and certificate. Congratulations to the winners and thank you to all the students who submitted essays. The essays are posted at http://www.ibike.org/essays/2006.htm. The next deadline is May 1, 2008. We encourage you to motivate the students you know to think and write about bicycling, and to enter the contest.

TEACHING KIDS (AND ADULTS) TO RIDE A BICYCLE

It must be the time of year when people are out teaching and learning how to ride bicycles. Recently we have gotten more than the usual number of praise messages on our article on how to teach kids (and adults) how to ride bicycle, and requests to help people learn to bicycle. It all serves as a nice reminder that before people will go out and do lots of bicycling they need to learn how to bicycle. The better they learn, the higher their level of confidence, and the higher their level of confidence the more likely they are to bicycle. If you, or someone you know is teaching or learn how to bicycle, we would like to direct your attention to http://www.ibike.org/education/teaching-kids.htm. If you have help someone to learn to bicycle recently know is a great time to take it on.

UPCOMING IBIKE PROGRAMS: COUNTRY YOU SHOULD SEE:

One of the goals of our travel program is to help people get out of the travel ruts – heading to the tourism destination enclaves. We do this by offering programs to really interesting places that are not mainstream destinations, and by giving people an opportunity to see a mainstream destination through a different and more interesting lens. We hope you will take on one of the following programs:

Cameroon: Consistent with our goal, in November 4-18, we are again offering a program to Cameroon. It has been a while since we have put this program on the schedule, but not because it doesn’t deserve to be. It is often called “Africa in Minature.” Just one measure of how diverse this country is: In the coarse of two weeks will be passing through the areas of the Duala, Bankon, Mbo, Bakaka, Bassa, Bamunka, Mendankwe-Nkwen, Kom, Lamnso’, Oku, and Bafut ethnic groups, to name a few. It is unlikely that these names means much to you now, but in the course of the tour you will get a context for this and much more. It is an extraordinarily beautiful route as well. For more information see http://www.ibike.org/bikeafrica/cameroon.htm

Other up-coming programs include:
Korea: September 9-23, for more details see http://www.ibike.org/ibike/korea. Half of Korea in pretty industrial, and the other half in picturesque rural, riverine, forested, coastal and mountainous, and continuously culturally rich -- it is the latter half that we explore! We can’t understand why touring cyclists are swarming all over the back roads of South Korea. Come be the first on your block to discover the elation of bicycle touring in Korea.
Vietnam: January 20-February 2, 2008, for more details see http://www.ibike.org/ibike/vietnam. The recipe is: one part capitalism, one part communism and a dash of assorted religions, then stir – a very intriguing society, with beautiful bicycling.
Uganda: January 13-26, 2008, for more details see http://www.ibike.org/bikeafrica/uganda.htm. Yes, it is safe, friendly and very welcoming. The program includes really great opportunities to learn about the culture, and see wildlife -- with a back drop gorgeous scenery.
Tanzania: January 26 -February 11, 2008; for more details see http://www.ibike.org/bikeafrica/tanzania.htm. Start with a toe in the India Ocean and finishing with ten toes on the top of Mt Kilimanjaro, the highest point in Africa.
Seattle: Year around, if you visiting Seattle please consider on of our custom Seattle Heritage Bicycle Tours. For more details see http://www.ibike.org/ibike/seattle.

Our cultural travel programs are our main source of revenue. We hope you will support IBF by joining one of these programs: These may not be mainstream destinations, but that is part of their value. The full schedule is posted at http://www.ibike.org/ibike/schedule.htm.

ATENAS DE CUBA PEOPLE-TO-PEOPLE PROGRAM UPDATE

Unfortunately, our participation with Atenas de Cuba is still suspended because of U.S. restrictions on freedom of association and freedom of travel. There are some rays of hope in the new Congress, but even there many representatives are trying to play to all sides by casting conflicting votes, so progress has been limited. If you would like to know more about opportunities to effect change see http://www.lawg.org/countries/cuba/takeACTION.htm

DONATE TO IBF ONLINE

To continue our work we depend on donation from people like you who support promoting sustainable transportation. You can now donate online through a secure link. Go to http://www.guidestar.org/partners/networkforgood/donate.jsp?ein=91-1286223

Sheaf Valley Cycle Route

2007-06-27T15:02:00.000+01:00

The Sheaf Valley Cycle Route (City Centre- Archer Rd) represents a substantial improvement on what we had before. The link between Saxon Rd and Little London Rd was crucial to avoid congested Chesterfield Rd; traffic has been much reduced on Little London Rd, with consequential benefits for the residents of the Lakes and Norton Hammer areas and the permeability of the Broadfield Rd area is greatly improved. The proof of the success of this scheme is the greatly increased numbers of cyclists using the route.

But...

We still have reservations about:

Saxon Rd, where we continue to believe that a one-way scheme with a contra-flow for cyclists, mirroring the Little London Rd scheme but in the opposite direction, would have benefits for all;
The Virgin Gym cycleway where the bollards are too close together (can't get a trike down it - we need 1.5 metres!)
Problem of no maintenance on the link into Sainsburys (here's hoping for an interchange of some sort there one day)
What happened to the pay-off the council got from Tescos?
Section between Fieldhead Rd & Mount Pleasant on Abbeydale Rd where apart from the p/t inbound bus lane there is no protection for cyclists (although moving the outbound bus stop has helped)
Please please resurface Little London Rd & Staveley Rd - my soft fruit is getting turned into puree on the way back from Sainsburys! Cycle routes need better maintenance than bronze routes!