Minutes of Transition Towns Transport group meeting, held on March 17th at the Bedford Tavern. Notes by Celia Davies
Present: Graham, Michael, Bruce (Living Streets), Doly, Celia and John
Apologies: Stephen and Juliet
1. Notes from the last meeting were agreed
2. Matters arising:
- Celia and Juliet have been in contact with Bricycles. They have agreed to work in partnership and keep in contact with Transition towns, although they have not been involved with Car Free Day previously and recommended approaching the Council.
- Celia has drafted a letter to the Council regarding Car Free day. Dolly and Graham suggested finding the right contact person to send letter to by calling Rob Dickin. Graham also suggested being more direct in highlighting advantages of proposal (Kings way busy/tourist attraction; site of pedestrian/car conflicts)
- Dolly was interviewed on Radio reverb, and made a call out for families to partake in a scheme to go without a car for a week. There has been no response as yet, need to discuss further as a group.
- Graham volunteered to pick up a batch of cycling maps for the group
- North Street proposals. Went through the questionnaire as a group and all will complete and return to Council. Celia will fill in questionnaire on behalf of the group with a covering letter outlining the group’s concerns/preferences, which were discussed at the meeting.
3. Correspondence:
- Stephen had sent through some interesting information, of particular interest were points raised about Freiburg’s transport infrastructure and the possibility of using it as a model for Brighton. Graham will ask Stephen if he could do a presentation on Freiburg for our next meeting.
- Dolly mentioned that other cities could also provide models, including Curitiba in Brazil. There has been a DVD made on it and Dolly suggested we could watch it at Charlie’s for the next meeting.
4. Michael’s presentation on public transport:
- Michael gave a very informative talk about public transport solutions, focussing on the new model of tram by Parry People Movers, the PPM170, and the potential role it could play in resolving fossil fuel dependence in Brighton and Hove transport networks. Previous models have been declined by B&H Council for issues that have now been resolved: low passenger capacity and low speed. The PPM170 has other major benefits such as diverse fuel capacity (lpg, hydrogen fuel, green diesel all back-ups from electricity), and light rails meaning cheaper and easier to lay down the relevant infrastructure. Michael produced a proposed route map, and thought the PPM would be capable of talking the Station-Seven Dials incline. New tram system would require pressure for new operators to integrate prices with B&H buses.
- To take this forward initial costings estimate might be interesting to investigate, and also need to reignite debate about PPM’s within local authority, in light of newly improved vehicles. Approach developers of King Alfred site, as part of development was proposed rapid transport between K.A. and Marina.
5. AOB:
- There was discussion about the group’s long term strategy, and whether we might revisit the framework later on to review our main objectives. Also to think about contribution to Energy Descent Plan which will involve all interest groups.
6. Next meeting:
- Either 14th, 16th or 18th of April, depending on availability of Charlie’s living room.
- Next general meeting April 9th, 7.30pm at the Salvation Army building.
Actions:
- Celia to find relevant contact in Council and send edited Car Free Day letter
- All: need to plan around idea of getting families to give up cars for a week
- All: fill in and return North Street questionnaires by 25th March
- Celia to fill in questionnaire on behalf of group including covering letter
- Graham to ask Stephen if he would like to do a presentation on Freiburg for the next meeting
- Dolly will ask Charlie if we can watch a DVD at hers
- Graham/Dolly to liaise over next meeting date and let others know
Notes from Transport meeting – Tue 17 March
