Greetings fellow cyclists! As we head back into winter and another Covid lockdown, we hope that you’ve still been able to get out on your bike for some vital excercise and fresh air. Meanwhile, Havering Cyclists have been busy campaigning and raising local cycling issues. Please read on for details.
“LET HAVERING CYCLE” (GOVERNMENT FUNDING FOR ACTIVE TRAVEL)
We now know that the council’s bid for initial funding for the Covid-19 crisis was only partially successful and that only social distance reminder signage for pedestrians was provided. Since then, we joined with XR Havering to organize a successful protest ride to Romford Town Hall to raise the profile of our requests with the call to “Let Havering Cycle”. This was supported by five councilors and was covered in the local press. Although the council leader was not present, he did issue a supportive video clip in response pledging to do all he could to secure active travel funding. We have had a meeting with him since to try to progress our requests.
LOWER THAMES CROSSING SUCCESS
New slip roads serving the LTC at the junction of the A127 and M25 would have cut off cycling access along the south side of the A127. We have made a case to Highways England and they have now agreed to change a planned footbridge over the A127 into a shared use bridge. Success!
TRAFFIC CALMING REMOVAL: SPEED HUMPS
We have been informed that the speed table in Ravenscourt Gardens had been replaced with speed cushions because a resident had requested an extended dropped kerb. We have pressed for an update on those still missing in Marshalls Drive.
CYCLISTS SAFETY ISSUE: RUMBLE STRIPS
One road has since been corrected and we have pressed again for the programme of work to be escalated as this is a safety issue.
MISSING SIGNAGE
We are not well served with cycle route signage in Havering so we were very disappointed when somebody stole one of our finest examples (pictured below). We did take this up with the council and thankfully it has now been restored and on a longer pole for a more suitable height.
INGREBOURNE WAY RE-ROUTE
We have met with Sustrans and the Cranham ward councillors to discus the re-routing of NCN136 away from Hall Lane to use the railway tunnel between Howard Road and Deyncourt Gardens. This would avoid the busy and narrow section of Hall Lane and serve several local schools.
SLOWBIES CYCLE GROUP
The Slowbies Cycle Group had restarted socially distanced rides following the earlier easing of the Coronavirus lockdown but group rides are now forbidden under the latest lockdown rules. Please email Nick (nickbasscyclist@gmail.com) for details of when they will restart.
WHAT ARE YOUR CONCERNS?
Please get in touch to let us know you views on any of the above or if you have a suggestion for something that needs addressing for Havering’s cyclists.
CAMPAIGN MEETINGS
Our meetings are currently being held on-line via Zoom on the third Saturday of each month. The next meeting will be at 3pm on Saturday 21st November. Please get in touch through our contacts page if you would like to attend.