CycleSheffield News

The DfT have issued consultations on three train company re-franchises, all of which are (or were) part of the National Express group:

· Greater Anglia (London to Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire, parts of Hertfordshire and Essex) - http://www.dft.gov.uk/consultations/open/2010-07/

· Essex Thameside (London Fenchurch Street to Shoeburyness, via Grays, Tilbury, Southend) - http://www.dft.gov.uk/consultations/open/2010-09/

· InterCity East Coast (London to Leeds, Newcastle, Edinburgh and northern/eastern Scotland) - http://www.dft.gov.uk/consultations/open/2010-08/

At the same time, the Department has been busy re-jigging the way rail franchises will work. They aim to make the terms of the franchise longer, with the possibility of extensions if operators are prepared to invest in new stations, re-opened track or other major projects.

Although only one of these franchises passes close to Sheffield the consultation is open to all UK citizens. If you choose to respond please make the following points:-

The current franchising arrangements have failed to deliver for cyclists. Studies have shown that up to

10% of rail travellers want to travel with their bikes. Combining cycling with rail travel offers a real alternative to car travel for many journeys, decreasing congestion on the roads, improving the health and fitness of travellers improving air quality and contributing to UK targets to reduce carbon emissions.

The Franchise specification should therefore include the following conditions:

1. The new franchises should operate Minimum Standards for stations proposed in the Better Rail Stations report (http://www.ctc.org.uk/DesktopDefault.aspx?TabID=5327) which suggest that there be cycle parking for 5% of passengers at all stations, with major stations offering secure cycle storage with hire/repair services.
2. Tandems and trikes to be carried on all trains. These vehicles are used by the visually impaired and by others with mobility problems as well as by lots of families and of course many able bodied couples. The ban on tandems operated by many companies is an unacceptable discrimination. Intercity trains should have space for two tandems.
3. At least five bikes to be bookable on all booked services and more than five bikes to be carried on all services that cannot be booked. This is critical for family use of trains as part of a cycle trip or holiday. The present arrangement where many companies will only book two bikes effectively bans families, as using a family railcard all have to travel on the same train. Bikes should also be carried on peak hour services – the possibility of charging for this service should not be ruled out.
4. Child trailers to be carried (and bookable where appropriate). For the same family friendly reasons as above.
5. Guards to be trained in company policy on cycle carriage and any discretions to be clearly stated
6. The TOC to establish a cycle forum, on the award-winning Northern Rail model. This will facilitate co-operation and understanding between the TOC and the cyclist's groups of each other's needs and act as a steering group for bike-rail development.

It's been a mixed a couple of weeks for the movement to get bikes carried on trams

Greater Manchester "Integrated!" Transport Authority
have decided not to allow bikes on the new trams they are ordering for Metrolink extensions - see http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/green-living-blog/2010/jan/15/manchester-bikes-on-trams

Then at the Northern Rail Cycle Forum in Preston today we heard that the project team responsible for the tram-train trial (Sheffield to Rotherham Northgate via the freight line) had decided that the 4 vehicles they were ordering would not carry bikes. The somewhat inadequate reason we were given for this was that passengers would be confused as some trams would be carrying bikes and others not.

We were outraged to hear this - how can this be a proper trial if these vehicles don't carry bikes? These are vehicles that are intended to replace heavy rail vehicles that do carry bikes on suburban & rural lines.

I got back to town in time to relay this news to the City Cycle Forum and it received a similar response to mine. Councillors will be taking this forward and an ally at the SYPTE will be making enquiries as to how this decision was made.

Had cause to visit Bradfield Rd (between Penistone Rd & Hillsborough Corner) yesterday, both by bike and car as I was there to pick my car from the mechanic (unlike many Sheffield motorists I believe it to be important that all your lights and indicators are working, and of course the bike is the easiest way to get to and from the garage)

Many European and worldwide cities are reallocating road space to walkers, cyclists, buses and trams in preparation for a low-carbon future. Here's what Sheffield is doing:-















Here a cycle route is being destroyed in order to make room for a few more cars. The cycle route, which is part of the flagship Trans-Pennine Trail, will be replaced but will be diverted and will be much narrower. This is in an area with some of the worst air pollution in Europe.

Here is another, nearby, example of cycle route planning in Sheffield
















This is the Trans-Pennine Trail crossing of Meadowhall Rd. The walker or cyclist has to cross three busy two-lane carriageways. It is impossible to see the traffic lights so you have to guess whether the traffic is going to stop or not and make a run for it. This route is supposed to be cycleable by a 12-year-old unaccompanied. There have been a number of collisions involving cyclists in the area.

New stuff in from the council -

Tesco Development - Savile St.

This development will entail a new entrance from Spital Hill, thus part of the bus lane will be revoked. Part of Savile St will be made a clearway. Carlisle St will be closed off at the junction with
Spital Hill (but not for cyclists we hope) The main entrance will be on Savile St - I believe there will be an off-road cycle lane & toucan crossing at this point which I am not particularly happy about.

Whiteways School

Restriction of parking outside the school.

Have been asked for comments on the following proposals:

Some things that Sheffield cyclists need to make their voices heard on..

I've had the notification of the Experimental Traffic Order that amends the hours of operation of the bus and tram gates on Middlewood Rd from 0700 to 1900 daily to 0700-1100 and 1500-1900 on Monday to Saturday inclusive

As it is experimental it will be in force for six months and the City Council will be considering whether the provisions of the Experimental Order should be continued in force indefinitely.

The grounds for objection, should anyone wish to do so, are quite specific so I am copying them here:-

Any person who wishes to question the validity of the Order or any of its provisions on the grounds that it is not within the powers of the enabling Act or that a requirement of the enabling Act or any of the relevant regulations made thereunder has not been complied with may, within six weeks of the 29th day of October 2009, make application for that purpose to the High Court.

As you can see from that the grounds for objection are pretty stringent!

However I can see one potential grounds for objection, that this notice is dated "this 30th day of October" - i.e. tomorrow.

I think the hours that the bus gate will operate for cover a large part of the working day and it might not be as bad as we feared. There is an opportunity to make representations during the six month experimental period,


Also covered in this mailing:-

Lydgate Lane and Monteney Crescent

Basically traffic calming around Lydgate Infant & Middle School


Meadow Street Revised Permit Parking Scheme.

Adjustments to the existing parking permit scheme.

Will be happy to pass on plans to anyone who wants to have a look.

Address for making representations:-

Mrs C Doran
Development Environment and Leisure
2-10 Carbrook Hall,
Sheffield
S9 2DB

Cyclesheffield has posted the following issues for response by the council at the Cycle Forum:-

The council has submitted 2 new planning apps: one is for an extension to the Chapeltown Greenway - this will take it as far as the Yalta industrial Estate which IS in Chapeltown: A future extension will link it to the TPT at NCN/TPT at Cart Road early next year, subject to a funding bid recently submitted. The route will be bituminized as well. This is great news for Chapeltown residents who will have a route free of motor traffic all the way to Meadowhall. In particular it will avoid the nasty hill between Chapeltown and Ecclesfield.

Glossop Rd: Extend tram gate as far as Cavendish St. Operating 4-6:30 p.m.
we support this although there are concerns about the impact on cyclists using the Portobello cycle route, as traffic will be diverted across it.

Parson Cross Child Safety Zone

We Support this: However we would like to see the implementation of CSV's accelerated by bringing in 20mph zones without waiting for infrastructure improvements.

Wincobank School, Newman Rd & Lydgate Lane

Traffic calming & Waiting restrictions.

CTC supports these proposals.

Bunch of TRO's relating to the Tudor Square refurbishment, tightening up parking and loading restrictions. I'm going to write to support these.

Responded to this today.

The proposal covers a raft of measure to extend bus lanes on Bolsover St, Exchange Place, introduce a bus gate at Station Rd Woodhouse, and revoke an existing bus gate at Southey Hill (which was unpopular with residents apparently) replacing it with traffic calming.

It is also proposed to exclude motorcycles from bus gates on Furnival Rd at Derek Dooley Way, Holme Lane to Langsett Rd at Hillsboro Corner, Infirmary Rd to Penistone Rd at Shalesmoor, London Rd at Asline Rd, & Shalesmoor. This is because DfT rules do not allow the council to lawfully sign bus gates for motorcycles.Shucks.

Response:-


Thank you for your letter dated the 18th of March.

We SUPPORT the measures at Bolsover St, Exchange Place/Park Square and Woodhouse terminus.

We OBJECT to the removal of the Bus Gate at Southey Hill. This will increase motor traffic in the area and make it more dangerous for cyclists.

Exclusion of motorcyclists. We are pleased to see that the Department for Transport has taken a more logical view on this issue than Sheffield City Council. However, as the council has previously made it known that motorcycles are allowed to use bus lanes even when there are no signs permitting them to do so, signs should now be erected specifically excluding them from these facilities.

Responded to this today. In summary:

The 4-hour restrictions should apply to specific parts of the Scheme rather than the whole Scheme: People parking within the whole area should be restricted to 4 hours rather than being able to move within the area - this leads to people swapping places at lunchtime, for instance.

We would not like to see any extra 4-hour or unrestricted parking in the area. The Scheme has made a big difference to the traffic in the area and increased cycling and walking, not just in Broomhall but on the corridors that people use to access the area. We would not like any of the benefits to be taken away. We welcome the extensions to the permit holders only areas.

At the junction of Havelock Street (where I live) and Holberry Gardens the extension of the bays and reduction in the double yellow lines is a bad idea. This area is used a lot by local children playing in the streets and anything which potentially restricts visibility around here is likely to impinge on safety.

4) We welcome the future cycle access at the junction of Holberry Gardens and Brunswick Street. This was omitted from the original scheme for no apparent reason.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7658956.stm

Councils claim they are spending more on compensation claims over potholes than on repairing them.

The application for a Tescos store at this location has been granted provisionally. Provisions include:

2 The retail unit shall not be used unless the car parking accommodation for 16 cars to the front of the site and 11 cars to the rear of the site as shown on the approved plans has been provided in accordance with those plans and thereafter such car parking accommodation shall be retained for the sole purpose intended unless otherwise agreed in writing by the Local Planning Authority.

3 Before the development is commenced, full details of suitable and sufficient cycle parking accommodation within the site shall have been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority and the retail unit shall not be used unless such cycle parking accommodation has been provided in accordance with the approved plans and thereafter such cycle parking accommodation shall be retained for the sole use of the development hereby permitted.


11 The development shall not be begun until the improvements (which expression shall include traffic control, pedestrian and cycle safety measures) to the highways listed below have either;

a) been carried out; or

b) details have been submitted to and approved by the Local Planning Authority of arrangements which have been entered into which will secure that such improvement works will be carried out before the retail use is commenced

Highway Improvements: Bedale Road - footway/carriageway alterations

Which leads me to wonder whether the opportunity will be taken to improve the ridiculous arrangements between bedal & empire rds?

(See http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l9csKA9iAps )

Simon

Changes to the TRO on Hurlfield Rd to allow cyclists to use the road legitimately:
Sharrow Vale - change loading bay to Pay & display: Introduce Car Club parking
Traffic calming in Greystones Rd near the primary school

Prohibition of parking near junctions in numerous parts of the city.

The CTC SUPPORTS these proposals.

(Steve Marsden, First point reception, Howden House)












Steve: "I'd like to talk to someone about cycling please"
First Point Receptionist: "Sorry mate, there's 26 motorists in the queue before you!"

As the Sheffield City Council website proudly proclaims, "The first Sheffield Stands were designed and installed in Sheffield in 1986. This simple design has since been widely adopted across the globe. "














As it is symmetrical, the Sheffield stand makes it easy to lock your bike at both ends. It supports your bike as you load it with heavy shopping

However, the city that invented the Sheffield Stand has turned it's back on it. Instead, the Town Planners have insisted on installing a more stylish but less functional alternative:





(These examples are at Howden House, the council admin building in Sheffield)














The curved shape makes it more difficult to lock your bike securely, whilst there is no support for a laden bike at one end.

The council certainly didn't get Best Value out of these ones:


They are a bit too close to the wall to get two bikes on!

Welcome to CTC Right to Ride Reps Nationally.

In Sheffield we seem to have cornered the market in "Cyclists Give Way to Pedestrians" signs. These are definitely preferable to "Cyclists Dismount" (we have plenty of those as well though).
Sheffield cyclists may not be aware that these are not in common use elsewhere.

Here are some examples:
















This is at Castle Square (Formerly the infamous Hole in the Road.) The cycle route
allows cyclists from the north to access the High Street. As you can see it's a busy and narrow section of street with high footfall, but nevertheless the arrangement works well.

A continuation on the other side of the road would create a new North-South route across the city:















However, the council haven't agreed to this. A toucan crossing would be needed for Arundel Gate.

This one is at Pond St:
















This is part of the emerging Inner Ring Cycle Route and allows cyclists to cross the severed part of Pond St, avoiding Flat St (Flat St isn't flat and Pond St has no ponds).
These signs were much admired by Sustrans staff when they were in town.

A contra-flow and ramp are needed to allow cyclists to continue North:-















This links into the National Cycle Network to the North and East of the city.

A few other sights around town:-
















Bike stands in use at the Interchange, for travellers continuing their journey by bus.

This lot turned up whilst I was taking pictures:-
































...& headed off up the High St















Bikes are increasingly being used by the emergency services in Sheffield as well as the City Ambassadors and our Cycling Paramedic service should get off the ground shortly.

I wasn't very surprised to read about a murder in Dewsbury. Having passed through a few times I think its a dreadful place - the destruction in public places was appalling. I think its the town that New Labour forgot. Can't really recommend it for a bike ride.

To Huddersfield yesterday for the the Northern Rail Cycle forum. The quickest way out of town for me is past the University, but that would entail the same route I take every day to get to work, so I skipped round via Pond St & Snig Hill to Shalesmoor and then along the new North Don route to Hillsborough, this starts off well but peters out towards the end, so across P*nistone Rd and out along Middlewood, which it still closed to motor vehicles but cycleable. This route isn't too bad until you get past Stocksbridge, where there is a short but highly unpleasant section along the A616 to the Flouch. Stopped at Langsett Cafe for a mug of tea and a teacake - a youngish guy has taken it over and is trying to start a bike hire business as well, so I've asked him to keep in touch with us on progress.

From there it's over the top paast Hepworth and down into the Holme valley. The long valleys on the appeoach to Huddersfield make for great cycling, high speeds are indicated. Made it in good time for the free lunch at 12. On a good quality road bike it doesn't take much longer to cycle to Huddersfield than it does to get the train!

At the NRCF we looked at the progress that had been made with the Cycling Strategy targets, (quite good actually) and discussed the impact that the tram-train trial would have on the P*nistone line, and for cyclerail generally. It's a bit early to draw conclusions, but there is an opportunity here to provide some really excellent provision for cycles, and break the "bikes on trams" barrier that we seem to have hit here in the UK.

After the meeting I thought I would go off and "get my kicks" on NCN Route 66. This is confusingly signposted from Huddersfield Station as Route 69. It's a bit weird because although it looks like an old railway, it must have been infilled a lot as it switchbacks along. It also seems to be infested with kids on illegal motorbikes. This gets you as far as Bradley where there is a bit of a gap- for future reference you need to turn right on the B6118, then the entrance to this bit of 66 is to the left according to streetmap. There followed a nice bit of rail trail, taking you to Mirfield where things got a bit complicated but Sustrans Rangers looked to have been out putting up temporary signage - thanks for that guys! The route continues through Mirfield where a fair amount of damage looks to have been done partticularly in the park, where an archway has had most of the bricks kicked out of it, and into Dewsbury, which I recommend avoiding completely. There's a junction with the Spen Valley Greenway (see my earlier post about that) so I took that down to the canal (Aire & Calder) where sadly the smooth surface runs out, and bumped along the towpath as far as Horbury Bridge, where I took to the road to Horbury, feeling sorry for the commuters in an endless queue of cars and then followed the perfectly decent Rhubarb cycle route to Wakefield.

Got the Northern Fast service back to Sheffield - a Bike Friday owner got on at Barnsley and tried to squeeze his bike into the tiny bike cupboard (this was not Sir William Wilberforce) but although I took my panniers off to make it easier for him I think he thought better of it and folded it anyway.

A car
lies on its roof, spinning slowly
The driver hangs from his seatbelt
Blood runs out of his mouth and into his eye
A sheep stares
incuriously

(From a description of a road traffic accident at Surprise Corner, Derbyshire, Thursday 17th April)