Notes by Neil Harding for second transport meeting held on Monday 11th February at the Bedford Tavern, Western Street (opposite Embassy Court).
Present
Celia Davis
Doly Garcia
Juliet Gregg (Teacher at Hove Park - www.catcharide.co.uk)
Neil Harding
Michael Petek
Graham Towers (Chair)
Stephen Young - (Living Streets/Senior Economics Lecturer/www.giveupyourcar.com)
John Bristow (arrived later)
Apology: Judy Bow
1.0 Introductions
Those present introduced themselves. Stephen outlined the aims of Living Streets, of which he is a member and of his website. Celia spoke of her contacts with local cycling groups. Juliet spoke of her campaigning website catcharide.co.uk which organises car sharing.
2.0 Issues
2.1 Context:
The group was to consider both the need to reduce carbon emissions and the possible impact of ‘peak oil’. Transport contributes about 26% of UK’s total carbon emissions. Each week we agreed to focus on a different topic.
3.0 Talk by Celia on "urban walking and cycling".
Celia spoke of being a keen walker and cyclist but of her frustration at the lack of facilities and information in Brighton & Hove. In particular she highlighted the dangers of cycling in Lewes Road and Dyke Road due to the dedicated cycle paths there being used as a 'loading bay and carpark'. The council seem unable to enforce the law and prevent this. It was suggested that contacting neighbours and local residents groups might be a way of highlighting the issue and getting better enforcement. It was also mentioned that Green councillor Ian Davey (who promotes "Bike For Life" organisation) was campaigning on this issue and for better cycle lanes generally through local cycle group - Bricycles.
Celia suggested we should campaign for one lane on the sea front to be closed for cycling on "car free day" later this year in September. Celia agreed to draft a letter on this issue. It was also agreed for Juliet to liaise with Brycycles on this issue and perhaps be our contact within that organisation. Doly is to mention at the hub meeting about finding volunteers to try to give up their car for a week and then write down their experiences. It was pointed out that North Street was particularly dangerous for pedestrians and cyclists and that congestion needed to be cut here. The council have been allocated £1.5m for this purpose and Stephen noted that proposals are currently being drawn up and there is an exhibition at Chapel Royal.
The approach of 'naked streets' was discussed - where signs are minimised and pedestrians and motorists 'share' road/pavement space. This can naturally lead to more caution by drivers and a change in their 'speeding' culture.
Celia then moved on to talk about schemes to encourage cycling to work such as "Bike To Work" where there are tax free incentives to purchase bikes through people's wages. There needs to be more promoting of this scheme - maybe through trade unions. There is also a scheme for tax relief on bus fares to and from work that is not well known. It was suggested that Rob Dicken on the council might be an appropriate contact for ideas on promoting these schemes. Celia also talked of the need to reduce congestion - 'there are too many cars on the road" and that is what is offputting for pedestrians and cyclists and makes things unpleasant and dangerous. Michael suggested a fly wheel tram along the sea front.
Finally Celia highlighted the poor information avaliable about cycling and walking routes in Brighton and Hove. She showed a tourist cycling and walking map and how limited the information was. It was suggested we might need to contact the council to raise this issue. Maybe through Becky Reynolds at Bricycles. Juliet said she could be a contact for our group on this.
4.0 Future meetings
It was agreed that as the PV was closed for the foreseable future we would continue to meet at the Bedford Tavern in the meantime. Subject to confirmation the next meeting would take place on Monday 17 March. At the meeting Michael offered to present some ‘public transport ideas for Brighton'
Transport Meeting Minutes for Monday 11th February 2008
