Ealing Cycling Campaign
Newsletter December 2004
Access to Ealing Broadway Station
Yep, it looks like
one of the biggest improvements for cyclists in Ealing is finally about
to happen. After years of campaigning, Ealing Council have drawn up plans
to install a contra flow cycle lane between the Uxbridge Road and Ealing
Broadway Station.
The lane will be part of the new London Cycle Network + link 249, which
runs between Gunnersbury Park and Hanger Lane. Ealing Cycling Campaign
Borough Co-ordinator David Lomas attended a “Cycle Route Implementation
Stakeholder Plan", (CRISP) meeting in November, in which a group
of planners and cyclists surveyed the route by bicycle. The
main problem area appears to be around Hanger Lane Gyratory System (surprise,
surprise), and a lot of time was spent discussing the best way to install
a route there.
The new cycle route isn’t quite the dream route we would like. While
the contra-flow will run as far as the cycle racks opposite Ealing Broadway
Station, cyclists wanting to continue their journey north will have to
turn left, cross to the middle of Haven Green, then use the shared pedestrian
and cycle route that will take them to the north edge of Haven Green.
It’s not perfect, but it’s a pretty good compromise, and for
the first time in years opens up access to Ealing Broadway Station to
cyclists in the south of the borough.
At the Mayor’s question time in Acton last month, Ken Livingstone was asked two questions on cycling. The first one came from an imaginative questioner asked whether he had considered putting a large tube above the traffic along the length of the Uxbridge Road through which cyclists could travel. After some laughter from the audience, Mr. Livingstone explained that such a scheme would probably upset people living along the route who wouldn't be too keen on cyclists passing their first floor windows. The second question was more serious - asking the mayor when he would improve cycle lanes in London. Mr.Livingstone said that until recently Transport for London didn't have engineers who knew how to build cycle facilities. He said they now had the engineers, and that improvements were on their way.
As many of you will have noticed, some of the borough’s roads are suffering from a bad case of pothole-itis. Now the nights have drawn in and cyclists are cycling home in the dark, potholes are more dangerous than ever. To report a pothole in Ealing, and get it fixed, call 020 8825 6000. If you damage your bike or yourself on a pothole, you can claim compensation from Ealing Council. The relevant details can be found on Ealing Council's Insurance Web Page.
All members are welcome at our meetings. We usually meet on the first Wednesday of the month.
The
next meetings are at 7.30 pm on Wednesday 5th January 2005. Our
venue is downstairs at "Cafe Grove" on The Grove, W5.
If
you haven't been before you are very welcome.
P.S. The cafe does very good cheesecake and Polish beer.
