Ealing Cycling Campaign
News April 2008

Time for Action on Cycle Routes

The Mayor’s Transport Strategy (2001) proposed the creation of a 900 km strategic cycle route network covering the whole of London. The intention was to complete this by 2010. This “LCN+” replaced a much larger London Cycle Network “LCN”, which was recognised as too difficult to achieve within the foreseeable future – albeit that many of the blue cycle logo signs are still dotted around the borough as a testament to good intentions long ago.
Since 2001, a great deal of preparation activity has taken place. For each link in the network, a “Cycle Route Inspection Meeting” (CRIM) takes place and a “Cycle Route Implementation and Stakeholder Plan” (CRISP) is produced either by consultants or by the local authority. Ealing Cycling Campaign participates in this process.

The picture above shows some of the CRISP reports for schemes in Ealing and Hounslow, for which we have made inputs.
The moment of truth is fast approaching, when construction of the works on the ground is due to take place. The table below gives some of the dates and costs. So far, the only visible works on the ground as a result of all this effort are the improvement of West Walk, W5, some works at Iron Bridge on the Uxbridge Road, and the resurfacing of the existing cycle path over Horsenden Hill.
The key questions are:
• A great deal of construction activity should be happening over the next 3 years. Are the resources available and allocated: money, detailed design expertise, suitable contractors, and professionals with an eye for detail who can check that the work is being done properly?
• Are the necessary scheme approvals being progressed through the relevant committees?
Those who worked on the motorway programme in the 1970s and 1980s know that to achieve results required a dedicated team of single-minded people whose sole task was to get the works built. An objection to the principle of the motorway programme was not acceptable – at that time there was a consensus that motorways were needed. Similarly, there is now a consensus that better cycling facilities are required in London. When public consultation takes place on individual sections of LCN+ route, it should be done against a similar policy background.
In Ealing we have a council commitment to support cycling. However judging by the progress made to date on the LCN+ routes in the borough, we need a far greater level of technical resource to press the programme forward. Over the next year ECC will be lobbying to achieve this.
Peter Mynors.

Ealing Broadway Station

We are making some progress with our proposals to put in cycle wheeling ramps on the stairs at Ealing Broadway station. At a meeting in February, Ealing Broadway station manager, Steve Lewis, said that he is happy to look into putting in cycle ramps subject to risk assessment. The ramps will be a temporary measure until the station is rebuilt for Crossrail. The new station, due to open in 2010/11 will have lifts that will be large enough to take bicycles. However, research from America suggests it would be worth installing wheeling ramps in the new station. A survey carried out at a San Francisco station equipped with lifts revealed that 45 percent of cyclists used the wheeling ramps, compared to just 10 percent using the lifts.
Cyclists who want to leave their bicycle parked at Ealing Broadway run the risk of theft. Recent reports suggest that thieves work in pairs. One blocks the view of the CCTV camera covering the bike racks on Haven Green, while the other steals a bike. Steve Lewis suggested that Network Rail may be able to install a limited amount of cycle parking at the London end of platform 4. However there may be a problem accessing this during the busy rush hour.