Tower Hamlets Cycling News

CS2 upgrade campaigning photocall at City Hall
Submitted by gerry on 19 January 2015

London Assembly Green Party member Darren Johnson has tabled two CS2 upgrade questions for Mayor's Questions at City Hall on Wednesday morning (21 Jan) and we are going along for a publicity photocall. Could you join us?

Time is 9.15am for about 30 mins, outside City Hall, SE1 2AA [location map].

TfL has watered down the upgrade to CS2 in the Whitechapel market area after heavy lobbying from the borough and the result is no segregation from motor traffic along this difficult stretch.  Read LCC's analysis of TfL's CS2U report.

We suggested to the borough and TfL that 'Copenhagen Paving' - stepped splayed kerbs  - would provide security for cyclists and enable loading vehicles to access the market.  As is commonly seen in... Copenhagen but also already in use in the UK.  Scroll down to last photo here for an example copenhagenize.com/2010/05/paving-way-for-cyclists.html

The questions specifically tackle the market area but we are continuing to lobby on other matters of concern.  The CS2U plans will be ratified at the TfL board on 4th Feburary.

Darren Johnson's formal questions to the Mayor are as follows:

Watering down of plans for CS2 safety improvements (1)
Question No: 2015/0066
Darren Johnson

Cyclists in Tower Hamlets are dismayed by your decision to water down plans to make cycle superhighway 2 safer. The section running by Whitechapel market has been downgraded so that, instead of benefitting from a fully segregated cycleway, people cycling along the eastbound side of Whitechapel Road will have to mix with buses in a five-metre wide bus lane that includes a two-metre cycle lane. These are the same design features that were incorporated into the original CS2 design. How can you justify watering down these safety improvement plans when there is a clear and urgent need for a radical overhaul of this route which has already claimed the lives of six cyclists?

Watering down of plans for CS2 safety improvements (2)
Question No: 2015/0067
Darren Johnson

It has been suggested that the main reason you have abandoned plans for safety improvements on CS2 is because Whitechapel market traders want to park their vans in loading bays next to their stalls. Other markets in Tower Hamlets such as on Chrisp Street and Watney Street do not provide this facility. In addition, the bays at Whitechapel market are loading bays only, but traders routinely exceed the loading times, thereby breaking the law. Why should east London cyclists be put at risk to facilitate rule-breaking in this way?

CS2, cycle superhighway, mayor of london, space for cycling, whitechapel
Svitlana remembered
Submitted by Mr Jones on 12 November 2014

11th November was the third anniversary of the tragic death of Svitlana Tereshchenko who was killed at Bow Roundabout. Her memorial bike, which had been restored by Wheelers and removed for the CS2 upgrade, was returned to the site last week. During its removal the bike has been modified so that parts cannot be removed from it.

Her mother and sister travelled from Greece and were joined by some of her friends and a contingent of Wheelers' members to commerate the anniversary. Her family are very pleased with what has been done to the bike so that it remains as a permanent memorial and for the floral tributes. Wheelers would like to thank John Discombe of J Discombe Tools and Steve Davies for their help in the restoration of the bike.

#makeBowsafe, bow roundabout, CS2, svitlana
Support a 20mph borough-wide speed limit
Submitted by owen on 20 October 2014
20mph speed limit sign - image from 20splentyforus.org.uk

LB Tower Hamlets is currently asking for feedback on proposals for a 20mph speed limit on the borough's roads.

Find out more and send your support of these proposals to LBTH using our handy web form and template letter. The deadline for comments is 31 October 2014.

20mph, 20splentyforus, campaigns, consultations, LBTH, safe streets for all
Support the Cycle Superhighway 2 upgrade proposals
Submitted by owen on 17 October 2014
Visualisation of proposed cycle tracks on Whitechapel High Street

Transport for London are currently consulting on major improvements to Cycle Superhighway Route 2 (CS2) between Aldgate and Bow roundabout. These proposals feature segregated cycle tracks and junctions redesigned to separate cyclists from motor vehicles and will need your support if they are to go ahead.

Take action to tell Transport for London that you want to make CS2 safer and more inviting so that everybody feels able to cycle.

The deadline for you to send your support and comments is 2 November 2014.

Also, join us on Saturday, 25 October for our ride and information event to show our support for the proposals in the Whitechapel market area.

aldgate, bow, CS2, TfL, whitechapel
Roadworks on Cable Street-Cannon Street Road junction
Submitted by owen on 15 October 2014

Notification of roadworks at this junction from 20 October for six weeks.

From: Road Network Info <SMBRoadNetworkInfo@tfl.gov.uk>
Date: Wed, 15 Oct 2014

Road Network Information

Dear Stakeholder,

Cable Street junction with Cannon Street Road

Transport for London (TfL) has appointed CVU (Colas, Volkerhighways and URS) to replace the traffic lights at the junction of Cable Street with Cannon Street Road. Works will be taking place on the footway and carriageway.

To ensure the safety of road users and workers carrying out the works, traffic management involving temporary traffic lights will be deployed on site during these works.

Why are we doing this work?
CVU on behalf of TfL are replacing traffic signals that have reached the end of their 15 year life cycle. The modernisation of the traffic signals will improve reliability and maintenance.

Cable Street junction with Cannon Street Road is an important route for through road uses and, as such, is a difficult route to maintain. We have arranged the work into a suitable number of phases to reduce the amount of disruption caused and to maintain road capacity as much as possible at all times.

What times will the work take place?
The works will begin on Monday 20 October 2014 for six weeks, or until the work is completed, depending on the weather.

In agreement with the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, the working hours will be from Monday to Friday between 08:00 and 18:00 with weekend working involving road closures on Saturday between 08:00 and 18:00 and on Sunday between 09:00 and 16:00.

What we would like you to know
Transport for London is firmly committed to minimising disruption. We have worked closely with our contractor, CVU and the London Borough of Tower Hamlets in order to reduce the impact of these works on road users, local residents and businesses as far as possible.

Keeping London moving
I hope you will appreciate that a certain level of disruption is inevitable, and I apologise in advance for any inconvenience that may be caused as a result of these essential works. Should you require further information or an update during the delivery of these works please contact our Streets Customer Services department on 0343 222 1234 or email: enquire@tfl.gov.uk or via the web at http://www.tfl.gov.uk/contact

cable street, CS3, TfL
Durward Street, Whitechapel Quiet Route Closed for 4 Years
Submitted by Mr Jones on 9 October 2014
Partial closure of Durward Street

The quiet cycling route behind Whitechapel Station that connects Vallance Road to Brady Street, Durward Street has been closed for the next four years. I spoke to the Crossrail site supervisor and he said the pedestrian/cycling route has closed so that they can dig trenches for the new station. The irony was lost on him when I said that 100 years ago trenches were also being dug for four years.

An alternative route has been signposted down Fulborne Street onto the Whitechapel Road but this is unsuitable for cyclists that are not confident using a main route however, this route will also close early next year for the continuing expansion of the station. Cyclists will then have to use the Whitechapel Road between Vallance Road (a junction that has claimed a cyclist's life 3 years ago) to Brady Street.

Crossrail, quiet routes, ward asks, whitechapel
Tower Hamlets BMX Club wins award
Submitted by owen on 17 July 2014

There was local success at the annual London Cycling Campaign awards announced on 16 July 2014. Tower Hamlets BMX Club was chosen as Youth Section Cycling Champion. Based in Mile End Park, they meet at the pump track every Saturday. Non-members and those without a bike welcome.

List of all award winners.

BMX, LCC
Tower Hamlets Mayoral Cycling Hustings
Submitted by alexwareing on 23 April 2014

On Wednesday, 14th May at 7pm Tower Hamlets Wheelers will hold our first Mayoral Cycling Hustings. Ahead of the local elections on 22nd May we have invited all the declared mayoral candidates to come and speak about how they would improve cycling in the borough. Each candidate will have the opportunity to make a short speech followed by an Q&A session and then informal discussion.

With a close election forecast this is your opportunity to urge candidates to support improved cycling facilties and to support the LCC's Space4Cycling campaign. The event is open to all and refreshments will be provided.

For full event timings see our diary page.

#space4cycling, cycling hustings, local elections, space for cycling, tower hamlets elections, tower hamlets mayor
Public bike pumps installed
Submitted by owen on 29 January 2014

Four public pike pumps have been installed within the borough providing cyclists with a "convenient free facility to pump up deflated tyres". This Find a Pump map shows their locations as well as those in Hackney, the City and beyond.

bike pump
Bicycles allowed on DLR trains
Submitted by owen on 17 January 2014

Great news from TfL, bikes allowed on off-peak DLR trains. It's been a long wait for this!

"Transport for London (TfL) is pleased to announce that, following a successful trial, non-folding bicycles are now permitted on off-peak Docklands Light Railway (DLR) trains on an ongoing basis.

Over 5,000 bikes and their cyclists travelled on the DLR during the trial period, which ran between July 2013 and January 2014. Evidence from their successful carriage has been used to demonstrate that it is appropriate to continue this policy permanently.

From 27th January, non-folding bicycles will be allowed on DLR trains from Monday to Friday during off-peak hours (not between 07.30 and 09.30 or 16.00 and 19.00) and all day at weekends and bank holidays. For safety reasons bicycles are not allowed on trains travelling between Shadwell and Bank stations. The policy regarding folded bicycles (which were already permitted on the DLR at all times, including peaks) is unchanged.

These changes enhance the ability of cyclists to cross the River Thames in east and south-east London and are part of the Mayor’s Vision for Cycling in London, the £913m plan to transform the Capital into a city where cycling is a part of every day life. Cycling on London’s main roads has risen by 173 per cent since 2001 and this plan will help double the level cycling over the next 10 years.

For more information on DLR’s bicycle policy, please visit our website."

Full TfL press release.

DLR, TfL, vision for cycling
CS2 summit follow up
Submitted by gerry on 11 December 2013

Following on from the Cycle Superhighway 2 summit held at City Hall on 28 November, organiser John Biggs (London Assembly Member for City of London, Tower Hamlets, Newham and Barking & Dagenham) has sent the attached letter to the Mayor of London, with a copy to the Mayor’s Cycling Commissioner Andrew Gilligan (who attended the meeting) and Commissioner of Transport for London, Sir Peter Hendy. It summarises the suggestions and comments made by the panel and audience about how to improve CS2.

application/pdf iconJohnBiggs_CS2_letter_2013.pdf
CS2, cycle superhighway, john biggs, mayor of london, safety
LBTH Emergency Motion on Cycle Safety
Submitted by owen on 4 December 2013

Reproduced from LBTH Decisions of the Council, held on 27 November 2013.

13. EMERGENCY MOTIONS

13.1 Emergency Motion on Cycle Safety

Councillor John Pierce moved, and Councillor M A Mukit MBE seconded the motion as tabled.

Councillor Harun Miah moved an amendment to add to the third point under ‘this council resolves’ reference to the Cable Street cycle lane, which was accepted by Councillors Pierce and Mukit.

Following debate the motion as amended was put to the vote and was agreed.

RESOLVED

This Council Notes:

  • Six people have now tragically died on Cycle Superhighway 2 (CS2)
  • CS2 was recently labelled an “accident waiting to happen” by the coroner investigating the recent deaths of cyclists along the route.
  • London Cycling Campaign’s Space for Cycling campaign calling on Transport for London and local authorities to ensure:
    • Safer Routes for schoolchildren
    • Streets without through motor traffic
    • Protected space on main roads/major junctions
    • Safe cycle routes via parks and canals
    • 20mph speed limits
    • Liveable town centres
  • That despite the high number of accidents involving lorries Tower Hamlets Council only scores 3/5 on the London Cycling Campaign’s Safer Lorries rating.
  • That over 10,000 Londoners have written to the Mayor in support of the London Cycling Campaign who want an urgent review of CS2.
  • Labour London Assembly Member John Biggs has led the way campaigning passionately on cycle and pedestrian safety for many years.
  • That he will tomorrow host a high level CS2 Safety Summit giving local residents and cyclists who use the CS2 an opportunity to air their views on what actions should be taken and to agree a list of demands for the Mayor of London and Transport for London.
  • Labour representatives in the GLA have consistently put forward tangible solutions to make London safer for cyclists including calling for segregation of cycle lanes as well as an early phase for cyclists at traffic lights.

This Council believes:

  • That cycle safety is a vitally important issue not only for road users but also to support cultural change and encourage more people to take up cycling.
  • John Biggs’ work on the London Assembly over the past years has helped to highlight this as an important issue and that his proposals for segregated lanes and early phases for traffic lights would help to protect cyclists.

This Council further notes:

  • The Mayor of Tower Hamlets’ dangerously ill-designed cycle scheme in Bethnal Green which was condemned by the Cyclists in the City group as a “new contender for the worst bike lane in London” and labelling its creation as “an utter scandal” with “absolutely no excuse”.
  • The bike lane was littered with lamp posts and parking ticket machines blocking its path as well as having car parking
  • That during the planning process Tower Hamlets Wheelers described the scheme as "a waste of money" saying it was "unclear who was meant to be benefiting" from the work.
  • The IbikeLondon blog described the Bethnal Green route as “woefully inadequate; narrow, within the dooring zone of the parked cars, and ridiculously short before they spit you back in to the road from behind some parking.” And actually encourage cyclists to boycott the paths as the (now narrower) roads are actually safer than the cycle route.

This Council further believes:

  • That whilst the Mayor of Tower Hamlets may say the right things on cycle safety he does not understand that cycling cannot be treated as a fashionable add-on. It needs to be integrated into the heart of road design and that badly designed cycle routes, whether CS2 or the Bethnal Green route actually put cyclists in more danger.
  • That the widely condemned Bethnal Green route puts cyclists at more danger as a result of both the poor design of the cycle route and the narrower road space.

This Council resolves:

  • To call on the Mayor of London to attend tomorrow’s CS2 Safety Summit to hear the concerns of local residents.
  • To support the proposals resulting from John Biggs’ consultations with residents and cyclists at the CS2 Safety Summit and to write to the Mayor of London in support of that work.
  • To call on the Mayor of Tower Hamlets to fully review the Bethnal Green cycle route project and the Cable Street cycle lane and to report back to Council on what went wrong.
  • To support the London Cycling Campaign’s Safer Lorries Campaign and to strongly encourage contractors used by the Council to meet its Safer Lorries conditions.

(Action by: Stephen Halsey, Corporate Director, Communities, Localities and Culture)

bethnal green road, cable street, CS3, LBTH, safer lorries, safety
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