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Ealing Cycling Campaign
Newsletter October 2004


Tram - Our response

In September, we finally had our say on the tram in a meeting dedicated to cycling. Several of us spent an evening presenting our views on the detailed tram plans to Nick Berrill, the engineering manager of the project. Nick turned out to be remarkably receptive, and made a good impression on all present. He also commutes to his railway station by bicycle. Unfortunately, we learnt the next day that he is to be transferred to Dubai after only three months in his post.

We've surveyed the route and compared the plans with cycling facilities now. The scheme still needs a lot of work to meet the needs of cyclists.

On the bad side:
• Approximately 53 turns that cyclists can make now will be banned under the present plans. (E.g. right turns into and out of roads adjoining the route).
• The width of the cycle path is unlikely to increase from the 1.3 / 1.5 meters in the present plans.
• The tram tracks will present a hazard.
• The carriageway shared with other traffic will be dangerously narrow in places.

On the good side:
• The route along the Uxbridge Road is retained. There will be no diversions for cyclists.
• Regulations banning parking in the cycle lane are likely to be rigorously enforced. (Cars parked in the lane could block the tram).
• On the few sections of the route where general motor traffic is banned it will be more pleasant to cycle.
• TfL admit that changes are needed.

We have submitted our detailed response to Transport for London. You can read it at: Tram Response


Your Views on the Tram

As part of the consultation, we conducted an e-mail survey of Ealing cyclists to find out what you thought were the most important issues. The results are shown in the graph below. Your main concern was getting around tram stops - where a tram could take up to a minute to unload and load passengers. This was closely followed by the width of carriageway and cycle lane which appear too narrow for comfort. Less important were: being able to take bikes on trams, and cycle parking at tram stops.

 


Annual General Meeting

We are holding our Annual General Meeting on Wednesday 6th October at 7.30pm. The venue is the Cafe Grove on The Grove, W5. If you haven't been along before, please come to this meeting. This is your chance to have a say in the direction we take Ealing Cycling Campaign over the next year.


Meetings

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 6th October (AGM), and Wednesday 3rd November. Our new 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.


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