metMarch2013
NOTES OF HFCYCLISTS MEETING
Held onTuesday 5 March, 7.30pm
At the home of Ken McCosh
12 Stanwick Rd, West Kensington W14 8UH
PRESENT
Ken McCosh, John Griffiths, Janusz Carmello, Paul Saunderson, John Wright,
Melanie Miller, Richard Radmore, Alan Rowdaen, Susie Gretx, Alex Ingram,
Natasha Herriott, Sima John,
APOLOGIES
David Marsh, Shirin Khan, Roger de Freitas, Ayse Kardes
WELCOME TO ANY NEW MEMBERS
It was good to see Richard at a meeting. We have seen him on a couple
of rides, and he is keen to lead a ride in a month or so when it gets
a bit warmer.
PHOTO OF US
Our meetings are normally quite friendly and welcoming. See a photo of
this meeting, taken by Melanie, at www.hfcyclists.org.uk/meetings.htm
HAMMERSMITH BRIDGE
TfL are doing a safety audit on the Council's proposal for a solid white
line between adjacent pillars at either end of the bridge. The area out
side the new narrow lane would be hatched. The Council are still waiting
to hear from TfL.
John Wright pointed out that vehicles must not cross this line.
Meanwhile the surface has been deteriorating yet further, and becomes alive as a vehicle passes certain points. This is a further cause for worry. A 20mph limit must be imposed immediately.
John G has put the following
videos on YouTube
http://youtu.be/oF3BunxIY5s
http://youtu.be/HYxq71_TsFU
OUR PUBLICITY
A gold star goes to Janusz who has put leaflets in over 10 locations.
Well done to others who have put leaflets out or who have taken more today.
It is also good to carry some with you and give them to cyclists stopped beside you at traffic lights, or you see as a pedestrian when they are locking their bikes, etc.. The object when talking to a cyclist is to get them to join our email list. If possible get their name and email address and send to John. So far, for all of the leaflets distributed, there has only been one request to join the email group.
POTHOLES
Susie brought up the problem that her request to Donna Kelly at LBHF for
repairs to potholes in the cycle lane between two lanes of traffic in
Wood Lane as you approach the light at the Westway from the north had
only received an answer from Jonathan Addis that talked of general highway
maintenance of Wood Lane and did not address the specific issue.
John has sent an email this morning saying this issue should be addressed specifically, and copied to Cllr Victoria Brocklebank-Fowler.
Sima again brought up the problems
of potholes in the stretch of Shepherds Bush Road from the Broadway to
the library in both directions. John will write to the Council about this,
but please use the Report It facility on the LBHF website.
www.lbhf.gov.uk/reportit
CSH9
TfL are doing the design work for LBHF and RBKC. It may be a couple of
months before we have anything to look at.
LCC LORRY/ HGV CAMPAIGN / PHOTO
OPPORTUNITY
The LCC have been running a campaign to make Borough's require that Lorries
and HGVs that they have control over have proper safety devices, and that
drivers are suitably trained in cyclist awareness. There has been some
e-mail correspondence between Richard Evans of LBHF and Charlie LLoyd
of LCC on this matter. They need to digest this and make a recommendation
to the Leader on whether to sign up or not.
I believe that Chris Bainbridge and Richard Evans of LBHF are on the point of recommending to LBHF that they accept these conditions. The carrot of a good press may encourage this to happen in the next few days.
LCC would like local groups to have photo opportunities with their Council to praise them of they are doing well, or shame them if they are doing badly. The photos should be taken during the week 16 - 24 March, or earlier if possible.
If they do recommend it, should we go ahead with a photo opportunity? There was opposition to this from people who did not want any good publicity for the Council. However they should be praised when they have done something good, the opportunity to criticise them may come up in the future.
On a vote there were 5 in favour, 3 against, and 4 abstentions. John will contact Chris Bainbridge to try and arrange if the recommendation goes ahead..
BEVEL, CHAMFER, CAMBER
Paul raised how dangerous the cycle path is on the west and south sides
of Shepherds Bush Green. This bevelled edge is there because the path
had to be raised because of high tree roots. There is probably little
money left after the revamp of the Common, and it is unlikely that anything
will be done before there is an incicent. John contacted the Council about
it earlier saying how dangerous that slope would be when it is slippery,
ie wet leaves or ice.
ANDREW GILLIGAN
He was appointed as the Cycling Czar to the Mayors office a few weeks
ago. Alex, who avidly follows blogs, says he will be coming out on Thursday
of this week, saying what he and Mayor intend doing for cycling in London.
You can meet Andrew at the launch of the LCC policy forum meetings, at 6pm on the 8 April. You would need to book. http://lcc.org.uk/pages/seminar-series
POSSIBLE STUDY TOUR
Alex has been thinking that it would be worthwhile spending some of our
funds on a study tour, perhaps to Amsterdam, or on a specially arranged
study tour. Most of the people present would like to go on such a tour
if it was partially or completely funded by us. Alex will investigate
further.
ELECTRONIC BANKING
The group approved the use of electronic banking for the Unity Trust Bank.
John and Ken have filled in the form and it will be sent to Roger for
his signature.
RIDES
Richard will arrange a ride when it gets a tad warmer.
NEW BIG BEN RIDE
Several people missed out on the last ride arranged by John Wright. I
was ill on the day. Alan contacted Andy Slaughter MP, and John G has followed
up, as it needs to be organised through an MP. John G has asked for 24
places, though apparently 16 is the maximum for one tour. A date when
it is given may be 4 to 6 months away. John W gave useful information
about the bureaucracy involved.
BIKE WEEK
Paul suggested organising a Dr Bike for Bike Week.
6] EXPENSES
Ken had expenses of £38.18 for refreshments.
7] DATE / PLACE NEXT MEETING
As the first Tuesday of next month falls on the day after Easter Monday,
we talked about a different day. Some people did not like Tuesdays, and
Thursdays and Mondays were suggested.
So the next meeting will be THURSDAY 4 April, 7.30pm at the home of John Griffiths.
John Griffiths [chair / co-ordinator]
020 7371 1290 / 07789 095 748
john@truefeelings.com
OUR WEBSITE www.hfcyclists.org.uk