Join us on Saturday 29 July 2017 for our feeder ride to Ride London.
We will meet from 10am for a 10.30am sharp departure. The meeting place is in Brook Green on the corner of Dulsany Rd.
All posts by John Griffiths
CS9 & Hammersmith Gyratory
TRANSPORT for LONDON has now finished its consultation on CYCLING SUPERHIGHWAY 9 along the line of King Street and Hammersmith Road. It extends towards Hounslow. In the LBHF section it is planned to be a 3m wide 2-way segregated cycle track.
On 13 February the Management Committee of hfcyclists AGREED the following .
>>>
Position Statement of support for CS9
hfyclists support the construction of the CS9 with improvement to routing and detail and would applaud returning to the original concept of CS9 from Hyde Park in the East to Heathrow Airport in the West.
We look forward to assisting LBHF and Transport for London in the detailed design and in the delivery of the CS9 scheme protected from motor traffic and in accordance with the London Cycling Design Standards.
hfcyclists believe that a safe protected cycleway for CS9 is essential for the health of West London and its population and we look forward to a cycleway suitable for all users including children, families, shoppers using local shops and cafes, senior citizens and those with impaired mobility, a cycleway for all connecting the town centres of Hammersmith with Kensington and Chiswick, Brentford, and Hounslow and suitable for a variety of cycles including cargo bikes and family carriers. A direct safe link between our town centres, our shopping centres, our work places and Central London.
We believe that CS9 will encourage people away from motor vehicles, improve physical health and encourage healthy families in Hammersmith and Fulham. CS9 is the key first step towards providing a safe cycle network in our borough.
We look forward to the construction of CS9 and to riding safely along its route.
<<<
The official LCC position is to support CS9 www.lcc.org.uk
Local groups, ie including us, are expected to follow LCC policy. However everyone in the group is free to have their own personal views and to express them if they do not claim them to be the view of the group.
On Monday 29 January at 7pm there was a PAC meeting at Hammersmith Town Hall where CS9 was on the Agenda.
John Griffiths sent the PAC committee a file for the meeting which looks carefully at the traffic modelling for the gyratory and CS9 and looks at some of the implications of the TfL files. Note this is the personal view of John and does not represent the view of hfcyclists or the LCC and John has never claimed that it does..
A revised version of that document can be found here
http://www.truefeelings.com/CS9/PossibleCS9CongestionVer2.pdf
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Plans used in Consultation still at:
https://consultations.tfl.gov.uk/roads/cs9/?cid=cs9
However
LBHF wants to ensure everyone who might be affected can have their say, so will continue to accept feedback until January next year.
Must bring benefits
“Cycling brings many benefits to the borough, but any suggested new route should serve the communities it passes through,” said Cllr Wesley Harcourt, H&F Cabinet Member for Environment, Transport and Residents’ Services.
“Local people have told us they want better and safer routes for cyclists, but residents also want to feel safe using the route as a casual rider, or crossing it as a pedestrian.
“This TfL proposal is a major piece of infrastructure, spanning the borough, so we’ve got to be sure this is absolutely the right scheme for all our residents and businesses.
“We want to hear as many people’s views as possible and that’s why we have extended our consultation time.”
Residents should email cycling@lbhf.gov.uk
Any additional responses I receive will be presented to the PAC meeting at the end of January alongside the TfL response report and then the committee response will help form my recommendation to the Cabinet member and then Cabinet in March 2018.
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What is below is largely historic now. It is our response to the first consultation.
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FULLER RESPONSE TO HAMMERSMITH GYRATORY CONSULTATION FROM HFCYCLISTS – LOCAL GROUP OF LCC IN HAMMERSMITH AND FULHAM – FROM JOHN GRIFFITHS – ACTING CHAIR.
Consultation here
https://consultations.tfl.gov.uk/roads/hammersmith-gyratory/consult_view
References refer to latest version of London Cycling Design Standards, which can be accessed as separate chapters via
https://tfl.gov.uk/corporate/publications-and-reports/streets-toolkit
1] INTRO
It is very pleasing to see that something is being planned here. It is disappointing that this Better Junction Review does not take in all of the gyratory.
In a response to a question put by Darren Johnson AM on our behalf, Tfl have stated in an email on 9 February 2016
“While there are existing cycle demands on routes in to and out of the gyratory which would not link directly to the scheme, we have focussed our proposals around the cycle route that we believe will benefit the largest number of cyclists while not adversely affecting traffic flow.”
It is disappointing that TfL are excluding any options that may adversely affect traffic flow, especially when one is hoping for modal shift away from private car use and one is hoping to reduce air pollution.
2] DESIGN PARAMETERS – PREDICTED FLOW RATES
We have asked TfL and LBHF for the flow rates of cyclists for which this project has been designed. So far we have not been told. If the design does not cope with the number of cyclists using it, it may result in cyclists blocking pedestrian crossings or being left in the roadway. If the stepped track is not sufficiently wide to cope with the flow, then cyclists are more likely to drop off the edge.
If the peak flow rate is more than 200 / hr, then a 1.5m track is not sufficient. We do not know what flow rates this facility is being designed for, and it would be helpful to have these figures.
LCDS 4.4 Widths for cycling on carriageway
Figure 4.11 Summary of guidance on widths on carriageway
Recommended minima
Cycle tracks
including segregated
lanes (5)
one-way two-way
very low / low flow 1.5 metres 2.2 metres
medium flow 2.5 metres + 2.0 metres
high / very high flow 3.0 metres 4.0 metres +
(5) Flow categories are provided in figure 4.12 below. Edge conditions need to be taken into account with an extra 0.5 metres provided next to any object more than 50mm high. More width is also often needed around bends.
Figure 4.12a Peak hour flow categories for cyclists Figure
Peak hour
1-way lane/track 2-way track
Very low <100 <100
Low 100-200 100-300
Medium 200-800 300-1,000
High 800-1,200 1,000-1,500
Very high 1,200+ 1,500+
3] ON THE GYRATORY
We have been informed by LBHF that the funding package behind this consultation only refers to parts of the gyratory and perhaps Blacks Road and/or Beadon Road. We will consider the consultation in two parts, those areas critical to the funding, and elsewhere. Starting by going clockwise around the gyratory
4] THE MANDATORY CYCLE LANE
The mandatory cycle lane on Queen Caroline Street would only be used by cyclists coming from Hammersmith Bridge Road. Unless a cycle lane is going to be installed in the future on HBR there would appear to be no point in this track. Cyclists competent to handle HBR would be able to use the gyratory to get to Hammersmith Road. Cyclists on that lane look vulnerable to vehicles turning left into Blacks rd.
5] BLACKS ROAD
In Blacks Road there is only a westbound cycle lane at the entrance to it. Yet more cyclists use Blacks Rd going east.
A Sky-High Count on Us survey carried out on 4 July 2013 [supplied to us by TfL at the request of Darren Johnson AM] shows between 7am and 10am 289 east bound cyclists and only 9 west bound cyclists on Blacks rd. Between 3pm and 7pm it was 53 east bound, 49 west bound.
There should be cycle lanes for cyclists entering and leaving Blacks Road at the gyratory. There should not be a crossover for these cyclists. It is confused by this mystery of cyclists on the mandatory lane on the gyratory.
6] THE CORNER OF KING STREET
On the final curve as cyclists on King Street approach the gyratory they have vehicles heading straight for them before the vehicles veer off into King Street. This must be a very threatening situation. Buses and some other vehicles have a front overhang of over 2m, and a turning vehicle could easily extend 1m over any kerb protection. Pedestrians have a very high kerb barrier to protect them at this spot.
The left turn out of King Street appears to be a very sharp turn of about 120 degrees. The external radius appears to be about 3m. The track appears to 1.5m wide. There is also an island to be contended with when you are part way around the turn.
LCDS 4.5.8
At intersections where cyclists may not need to stop, a minimum external radius of 4 metres should be applied.
7] THE MAIN CROSSING
As the cyclists pass the crossing on the gyratory there may be pedestrians waiting to cross very close to the cycle track. This would restrict the effective width of the track.
8] SHEPHERDS BUSH ROAD
If the crossing of the northbound leg of Shepherds bush road is pushbutton controlled, then it should have automatic detectors for the presence of waiting or approaching cyclists.
Cyclists wishing to go North on Shepherds Bush rd should have a bypass of the pedestrian crossing.
We have been told that there should be a green wave for cyclists across the top of the gyratory, or that they should only be stopped a few times. We have also been told that the reason for the removal of the crossing across Hammersmith road is that the area between the northbound and southbound legs of Shepherds Bush Road is required as a reservoir for waiting cyclists. TfL should make a clear case for the removal of this useful crossing; otherwise it should not be done.
There should be facilities to access to the Superhighway westbound for southbound cyclists on Shepherds Bush rd.
9] THE BUTTERWICK ISLAND
Concerning the island at the north end of Butterwick, we have been told that LBHF may have plans to have a 2-way cycle track on the south side of Hammersmith road going east.
Whatever the configuration of cycle tracks, there should be 2-way access for cyclists on this island:
to the north,
to the central Hammersmith Broadway transport interchange and
to the south and east allowing to travel south towards the Talgarth rd crossing.
10] ON BEADON ROAD
The route Studland Road, Glenthorne Road and Beadon Road should be made as cyclist friendly as possible to take pressure off the superhighway. I completely support the idea of a wide bus lane in Beadon Road. It should allow cyclists to pass buses easily.
11] STEPPED TRACKS
4.2.5 Stepped cycle tracks
Stepped cycle tracks are vertically separated from the footway and main carriageway in order to provide greater protection, safety and comfort than a cycle lane. They offer less separation and less protection than kerb-segregated lanes/tracks, but they may be regarded as a more subtle intervention and can offer more flexible access to the kerbside. The level change between footway and cycleway can also help legibility, with clarity about the function of different spaces for cycling and walking.
Stepped tracks are suitable for one-way with flow or contraflow provision but should not normally be used for two-way cycling. There are few examples in the UK of this type of infrastructure, so there is little established guidance. The model described here is based on Copenhagen’s typical cycling provision, and has been successfully applied to several locations in Brighton and Hove (see photo, right).
Stepped tracks have rarely been used in London. A good example of stepped tracks in London is in the northern section of Pancras Road, where there are 2m wide stepped tracks on either side of the road. Here Pancras Road is straight and has little place function or reason for cyclists or pedestrians to behave erratically. Image courtesy Camden Cyclists.
Full details can be seen at,
http://camdencyclists.org.uk/2015/10/rcs-southern-extension-in-pancras-road/
Another example of a stepped track in London is on Kennington Park rd close to the Oval. This image is taken from Google street view. Although this road is busier there is little kerbside activity, and there is a park on the other side of the road.
12] THE STEPPED TRACK ON KING STREET
Unfortunately the consultation plan does not have dimensions marked on it and we have so far not been given access to any plan that has marked dimensions. It would be good if one could be supplied to us. However the stepped track on King street would appear to be about 1.5m wide with a marked edge of about 0.25m. The step down from the pavement is likely to be 50mm and the step down to the roadway is likely to be 75mm.
It is clear that a lot of design work has gone into fitting a route into the restricted space available. However the safety of cyclists does not appear to have been paramount. King Street is very busy with a high pedestrian density and activity and with many people crossing the street in an uncontrolled manner. The stepped track is contraflow, so pedestrians crossing the road will mainly be looking at the traffic looking for a gap and not noticing a cyclist coming from the other direction.
Cyclists themselves may behave erratically, stopping suddenly at a destination, or moving to avoid an obstacle or broken glass, causing those behind to move out to overtake.
Cargo bikes and bikes with boxes or trailers carrying children may be nearly 1m wide. That does not leave much room for a bike to overtake. Some cyclists may be going very fast. Some may be going very slow, with young children in tow or carrying shopping on the handlebars. At slow speeds particularly cyclists may wobble. In 1957 Lord Denning determined that motorists must ‘allow a cyclist their wobble’.
If a cyclist goes over the stepped edge it may result in a fall into the path of oncoming traffic. This route is meant to encourage beginners to cycle. Very careful consideration should be given to the level of protection given to cyclists.
LCDS 4.1.4 Selecting the right provision
Discusses the functional and aesthetic characteristics of streets as places.
LCDS 3.2.4
Figure 3.5 Cyclists’ effective width: key considerations
Recommended minimum clearance between the furthest extremity of a moving motor vehicle and the outside of the dynamic envelope of a cyclist at 20mph or less * 1.0m
Recommended minimum safe clearance at 30mph * 1.5m
*Greater clearances are recommended for larger vehicles
13] NEAR BRIDGE AVENUE
Shortly after Bridge Avenue the cycle track appears to have an area of footway flush with it to the right of the track. The track goes into a curve opposite a loading bay and the flush area to the right of the track disappears. Vehicles passing lorries in the loading bay will be right over on the right hand side of the road, with wing mirrors over the track. Because of the curve a cyclist may not be able to gauge how close to the kerb an approaching vehicle will be. It is also an area where people are likely to cross the road informally.
14] TAPER OF DOOM
Just before the loading bay vehicles find that the roadway funnels right down to a narrow width. A vehicle following the left hand kerb will get a shock, as may a cyclist on the stepped track. Anyone following the centre line of the taper will also end up on the stepped track.
15] BY THE BUS STOPS
By the bus stop in King Street the carriageway is now about 0.8m narrower than before. The outside lane width beside the bus stop appears to 2.8 to 3.0m wide. Vehicles passing the bus stops will be right over on the right hand side of the road to give clearance to buses. Wing mirrors are likely to clip cyclists, if not worse. This is not the place to experiment stepped tracks of which there is no experience in places with a high place function.
Also losing nearly 1m of footway width at the busy bus stops is not very satisfactory for pedestrians.
16] A SAFE DESIGN FOR CYCLISTS
A practical and safe design for cyclists must be presented for the area to the west of the gyratory. This is both for east and west bound cyclists. At the moment there is no route indicated for west bound cyclists, and that for east bound cyclists is not satisfactory.
If westbound cyclists are to be taken down to the A4 footway and then up Bridge Avenue to King street, the space on the A4 footway is very limited.
If they are to be taken up Angel Walk there is a loading bay just to the east in King street. The Hammersmith Ram could load from Blacks Road.
I hope a satisfactory design will emerge.
John Griffiths MA [Cantab] MSc UCLA
Acting Chair hfcyclists, local group of the London Cycling Campaign in H&F
122c Edith rd, West Kensington, W14 9AP
020 7371 1290 / 07789 095 748
truefeelings@gmail.com
23 February 2016.
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Do they give us confidence in what they are doing?
TfL are working with LBHF to design improvements for cyclists at Hammersmith Gyratory. This is part of the BETTER JUNCTIONS REVIEW. From the Better Junctions Review website we have
>>> We are working with Hammersmith and Fulham council to make Hammersmith gyratory safer and more accessible for cyclists. Our proposals, when ready, will provide major improvements for cyclists, fit in to the borough’s wider cycling strategy and complement the long-term vision for Hammersmith. Consultation is expected to take place in late 2015, with construction starting in 2016. For further information on this scheme please contact Graham Nash by email CustomerServicesRoads@tfl.gov.uk <<<
There are some problems with this. As yet the new Cycling Strategy has not been published.. A committee to form a long term vision for Hammersmith has not yet been set up. The consultation may not be ready by the end of this year.
It would give confidence if TfL released the cyclist counts it is using for its planning work on the gyratory. It is possible that TfL have absolutely no idea of present cyclist use. To give an idea of the ratios travelling in different directions John and Lynn recently counted cyclists for 30 minutes towards the end of the evening peak.
Present cycle use [mainly high speed commuting] is not necessarily the same as that of the population of future cyclists that one should be planning for.
There are indications that the review may concentrate on an east to west route linking Hammersmith Rd to King St. Such a route would be very welcome. This would be to fit in with a born-again Cycle Superhighway 9. CS9 appeared to have died after problems getting a route through RBKC.
However we would like to see the gyratory made safe for cyclists coming from all directions.
It would be good if TfL and LBHF shared more of their thinking before we are offered a consultation. Once plans are drawn up we have found that there is a great reluctance to make any significant changes.
20mph
LBHF are conducting a consultation on a 20mph speed limit in the Borough. The main question is will it extend to most main roads or not, The cluster map below shows the location of cyclist fatalities and seriously injured from 2005 until recently.
When we combine the Pedestrian and Cyclist casualties the results show a similar cluster around main roads, where people are going about there business. The cluster map below shows casualties from 2005 to 2014 from the police’s STATS19 data
The LBHF consultation is live until 31 July 2015. Whether you are a pedestrian or cyclist or motorist we urge you to make all main roads 20mph to produce a civilised Borough. Each household should receive a printed version of the questionnaire in the post.
But to make sure further Information and an online version of the questionnaire can be found here:
http://www.lbhf.gov.uk/directory/news/20mph_consultation.asp
Please go there and fill in the questionnaire now. Say YES to the first question.
Sunset Ride 15th June 2016
Join us for our Sunset Ride to Richmond Hill on the 15th of June!
This will be a leisurely ride from Hammersmith to Richmond Park. If any of the resident deer are so friendly to present themselves we will stop and have a look. We will end up at the Roebuck on Richmond Hill where we will meet up with other West London Groups for for some drinks and laughs. Remember to bring lights for the ride back.
Meet from 7pm for 7.15 departure. At the observation platform overlooking the Thames at the end of Queen Caroline street, almost under Hammersmith Bridge. W6 9DA
Contact: Konstantinos on kparsalidis@gmail.com
07904 843 005
Ride London 2017
Prudential Ride London is the Mayor of London festival of cycling that will take place on July 29th and 30th
On Saturday 29 July 2017 we will be leading feeder rides to and from the Central London FREECYCLE. The ride will leave from Brook Green in the Morning. Join us for a spectacular day and make lots of new friends.
We will be meeting on Brook Green by the corner of Dunsany Road. Meeting from 10am for a 10.30am departure.
The ride Leader will be John Griffiths. truefeelings@gmail.com
07789 095 748
Minutes April 2015
NEXT MEETING – 28 July 2015
The next meeting will be held on Tuesday the 28th of July 2015
at 7.15pm for 7.30pm at the home and garden of Susie Gretz
4a Eynham Rd, W12 9HA
THERE WILL BE REFRESHMENTS AT THIS MEETING. WE HOPE TO SEE YOU, SO FEEL FREE TO JOIN!
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NOTES OF HFCYCLISTS JUNE MEETING
TUESDAY 16 June 2015, 7.15 for 7.30pm at the home of Ken McCosh
12 Stanwick rd, W14 8UH
PRESENT:
Ken McCosh, John Griffiths, Janusz Carmello, Paul Saunderson,, Lynn Seveke, Tim Day, Susie Gretz, PCSO Jules Chao.
APOLOGIES:
Elizabeth Hopkirk, Roger de Freitas, Petrina Beaufoy Helm,
WELCOME
We were pleased to meet Tim Day, a retired journalist who has had experience teaching cycling. He has offered to be a marshal for our RideLondon feeder ride on Saturday 1 August.
Paul had invited Jules along, who is part of the Shepherds Bush Transport Hub, which deals with surface transport matters, largely buses, but not the tube. He told us of his work and how it dealt with cycling. Lynn took some notes and may send an email with more details.
20MPH
Our input was very successful at the recent LBHF PAC meeting. Now we need to get people to fill in the online consultation. At the North End Road market stall we will show collision map indicating that most cyclist injuries and fatalities are on main roads. We would like the limit to extend to shopping streets if not all main roads. Some people in our group against blanket 20mph limit.
Information and an online version of the questionnaire can be found here:http://www.lbhf.gov.uk/directory/news/20mph_consultation.asp
GOLDHAWK ROAD
At the PAC Ruth Mayorcas spoke to Cllr Wesley Harcourt about problems she finds on the Goldhawk Rd. As a consequence John and Ruth will meet some Councillors on Monday 22 June for a site visit. Nobody at tonight’s meeting uses the Goldhawk road much. Tim had problems at the intersection with Paddenswick rd where there are the double roundabouts, but that is outside the area where there road is being redesigned. Others have been in touch with us and LBHF about problems on Goldhawk road.
NORTH END ROAD STALL
We have just heard that we have a stall for the festival on Saturday 27 June. Our main objective is to find new active members for the group. We will concentrate on 20mph limit, NO2 pollution, the Summer Feeder ride as subjects to engage with people. We will with A3 colour graphics. Susie will look at prices for printing and laminating and John will see if it is cheaper to have a banner printed which we can cut up. Konstantinos, Elizabeth, Ken, Suzie, Jose, John will be available on the day, and perhaps Janusz. Elizabeth and John will work on credit card sized cards that give info about the group and also how to report potholes.
If others wish to be part of the event please contact John.
NO2 DIFFUSION TUBE PROJECT
We now have the final results. The plan is to meet with senior people at the council in a few weeks time to discuss the results and see how we can influence plans for Hammersmith Gyratory. Also we will try to get media coverage of the results.
The EU limit for NO2 is 40 µg / m^3 [micrograms per cubic metre] . The LBHF measurement for Hammersmith Broadway near St Pauls Church was about 80 µg / m^3 . Our results for Hammersmith and Shepherds Bush Green were roughly in the range 80 – 100 µg / m^3. at push chair height we found the levels to be about 30% higher than at the 3m height that LBHF uses for measurements.
Andrea would like to see us have a public meeting on air pollution, preferably before the end of July when her present funding runs out.. We discussed this. However the much publicised LBHF meeting on 20mph only brought in a very few people apart from ourselves. Other meeting such as on the flyunder, the Thames sewer and Heathrow expansion have been highly attended.
[Lynn mentioned the proposed Maastricht tunnel]
We felt the time scale for a public meeting in July is too rushed. Perhaps later., especially if the Committee on the Medical Effects of Air Pollutants, produces an awaited report on the mortality figures for NO2.
HFCYCLISTS ACCOUNTS AND GRANT FROM LCC
Ken has prepared the accounts and we have told LCC we do not wish to waive the grant this year.
WEBSITE
Lynn is maintaing and we discussed the difference between pages and posts on the wordpress site. If anyone else wants to be involved please get in touch.
SUNSET RIDE
Wednesday 17 June, 7pm for 7.15pm departure.
See http://hfcyclists.org.uk/2015/05/sunset-ride-17th-june-2015/
Paul suggested bringing your own drink and picnic for the public terrace with the spectacular view as queues may be long at the pub across the street.
OUR GARDEN PARTY AT ROGER DE FREITAS’
This will be on Thursday 16 July at 7pm. Roger and Vicky live in Hartswood Rd. This is our great event of the year and please put in your diary now. We will send an email out with details nearer the time.
RIDE LONDON FEEDER SATURDAY 1 AUGUST
Tim Day says he would like to be a marshal. John will forward his details to Konstantinos.
EALING NEWSLETTER
Paul brought in a Ealing Cycling campaign newsletter that was attached to his bike. It is very impressive. Perhaps we could do something similar, and Lynn thinking about it. If others want to be involved please get in touch.
See http://lcc.org.uk/articles/local-group-news-june-2015
EXPENSES
John; Refreshments after PAC meeting £25.20
Ken: For tonights refreshments £35
OUR AGM
We will have this later in the year when some recent members may have gained more experience, perhaps to be officers.
DATE / PLACE OF NEXT MEETING
Tuesday 14 July, 7.15 for 7.30pm at the home and garden of Susie Gretz [later changed to 28th July]
4a Eynham Rd, W12 9HA
John Griffiths [chair]
020 7371 1290 / 07789 095 748 truefeelings@gmail.com
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NOTES OF HFCYCLISTS MAY MEETING
TUESDAY 12 May 2015, 7.15 for 7.30pm at the home of John Griffiths
122c Edith Road, W14 9AP.
PRESENT:
John Griffiths, Ken McCosh, Konstantinos Parsalidis, Elizabeth Hopkirk, Petrina Beaufoy Helm, Janusz Carmello, Paul Saunderson,, Lars Laamann, Sima John
APOLOGIES:
Lynn Seveke, Roger de Freitas, Susie Gretz, Alan Rowden
WELCOME TO ANY NEW MEMBERS
We were pleased to see Kpnstantinos, who was a marshal at last years Ride London, and Elizabeth, who came to a meeting last year and was on the Hammersmith Bridge ride.
NO2 DIFFUSION TUBE PROJECT
We now have the results for our February and April NO2 measurements. A correction factor still has to be applied to them by Client Earth, our partners in this.
The results indicate that there are a few places in Hammersmith and SBG where the results are considerably higher than at the place where LBHF takes its measurement for Hammersmith Gyratory.
We took readings at heights of 3m and 2.25m. We were expecting the reading closer to the ground to be higher as it was closer to the source of local exhaust gases. There was no significant difference at these heights. Near the entrance to King Street the 3m reading was surprisingly higher than the 2.25m reading. We speculated this might be gases from the flyover dispersing down, or turbulence , or random errors.
Where we measured at 4 different heights on two posts, from 3m down to 0.5m, this showed a significant increase as you got down to pushchair height.
John will do some further work on the statistics behind the results. This is to see how meaningful the figures are, as there are inherent random errors in the NO2 tube approach, and variations due to the weather. John will collaborate on this with Konstantinos and Lynn. And also show to someone in the group who works in statistics.
Konstantinos, an engineer, had several suggestions. He will discuss with some colleagues. We will collaborate with Andrea Lee of client Earth in producing a report. We should approach LBHF and TfL with a view to trying to influence them into taking mitigation measures, especially as the plans for Hammersmith Gyratory are being developed now.
Konstantinos said that normally bodies would expect to see at least 3 months of data before something was taken seriously. In the light of our experience so far we may carry out further studies, using our money, or from any grant we may be able to get.
Recently Client Earth were successful in taking the UK government to the UK Supreme Court, with the result that the UK has to take more stringent action to meet an EU directive on NO2 pollution levels. NO2 mainly comes from diesel vehicles and causes health problems sometimes leading to earlier death.
HAMMERSMITH BRIDGE
On 25 April about ten of us along with Chris Bainbridge, Cllrs Ben Coleman, Lisa Homan, Max Schmid and PJ Murphy rode over Hammersmith Bridge. Cllr Wesley Harcourt was also there. We were pressing for large signs on the roadway saying “CYCLIST PRIORITY”.
In January 2016 Hammersmith Bridge will be closed for a year for repairs and strengthening work.
RIDE LONDON
LCC is asking if we can organise a feeder ride for Ride London on 1 August. We need a lead rider and marshals. We discussed last years ride. John will send to LCC the following:
Ride Leader Konstantinos Parsalidis,
Marshals: Richard Radmore, Ken McCosh, Janusz Carmello, Paul Saunderson, John Griffiths
BIKE WEEK
Bike week 13 – 21 June
There will probably be a ride on the Wednesday evening June 17thgoing to the Roebuck on Richmond Hill to join other west London groups.
London Prison Ride 2015
This will be on 21 June. I will send a separate message on this as the details are quite long.
STALL IN NORTH END ROAD
June 27 – extended bike week – Stall at North End Road Market Festival
John will apply for a stall for the group. It will be a long day –perhaps from 8.30am to 5.30pm. Konstantinos, Elizabeth, Ken, Suzie, Petrina and John say they will be involved. Interacting with non-cyclists encouraging them to cycle, and with cyclists telling them of our causes. And giving info. Possibly measuring BMI for example.
Please contact John as soon as possible if others want to be involved in planning and being there on the day.
SPACE4CYCLING
LCC are seeking people to hand in petitions to our Council at a photoshoot. The petitions are reminders to keep pursuenig the Spce4Cycling pledges they made. Lars, Elizabeth, Ken and John said they would, depending on the date.
HOUNSLOW SUGGESTION for A4 and A316
Hounslow Cycling Campaign are planning to run a positive campaign giving a vision of what TfL’s roads could be like, particularly asking for protected cycle lanes on the A4 and A316. That is the Great West Road and the road that leads to Chiswick Bridge.
The website has great diagrams of how it might be. I was sent this by Timothy Harris. You can leave comments on the website and also send messages to the London Assembly members.
See www.hounslowcycling.org/revitalise-hogarth
We should be doing something like that for Hammersmith gyratory.
POTHOLE ON A4
John and Ken have noted a serious pothole on the A4 around a drain. John has reported on https://reportit.tfl.gov.uk/
Elizabeth suggested we have cards we can give out giving that address. Cards that would fit in a wallet with our details also would be good.
CENTRAL LCC MATTERS
There are a lot of documents to read on Governance. Policies. Constitutions etc. Anyone keen to read any please email me.
LCC GRANT
As our budget for next year is considerable, including publicity, events, possible further expenses involved with NO2 and refreshments, we decided not to forgo our annual grant from lCC
EXPENSES
Ken for refreshments after Hammersmith Bridge ride
John for refreshments tonight £31.03
DATE / PLACE OF NEXT MEETING
On Tuesday 16 June, at 7,15 for 7.30pm at the home of Ken McCosh,
12 Stanwick Road, West Kensington, W14 8UH
John Griffiths [chair]
020 7371 1290 / 07789 095 748
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NOTES OF HFCYCLISTS APRIL MEETING
TUESDAY 14 April 2015, 7.30pm at the home of Ken McCosh
PRESENT: Ken McCosh, John Griffiths, Susie Gretz, Paul Saunderson, Janusch Carmello, Alan Rowden, Lynn Seveke
APOLOGIES: Roger de Freitas, Lars Laamann, Petrina Beaufoy Helm, Sima John
NO2 DIFFUSION TUBE PROJECT
With Andrea Lee from Client Earth we placed some small devices around the borough to test for air pollution. These have now all been collected, and we have the results for the first month. The results for the second month are due soon.
Early indications are that as you drop down from 3m to adult breathing height and to push-chair height the NO2 reading increases considerably. 3m is the height at which LBHF makes measurements.
Also compared to the point near St Paul’s Church where LBHF makes it measurements, there are places at Hammersmith gyratory and Shepherds Bush Green where the NO2 values are higher.
We await the results of the second month’s trial. We shall then decide how to use them, and to see whether it is advisable to collect more data. John and Lynn will be involved in this, and any others welcome.
HFCYCLISTS ACCOUNTS AND GRANT FROM LCC
Ken is now preparing the accounts for the last financial year.
Normally we receive a grant from LCC of around £250 to £300, approximately 50p for each LCC member living in the Borough, taken from their subscriptions. Last year LCC had financial problems and we decided to forego the grant that year. As we are fairly well off the question is should we forego it again this year? After discussion we decided to delay any decision, depending on whether we will be spending money on the pollution project.
UPDATES FROM LBHF
John spoke to Chris Bainbridge of LBHF before the meeting. Chris said that he was planning to retire and had given his notice to LBHF. However Chris will be continuing at LBHF for a while in some capacity. Chris gave the following updates
1] The Bridge Avenue contraflow has now been installed
2] Only one Quietway in the Borough has so far received funding from TfL. This comes out of K&C on North Pole Road and crosses the Scrubs, going east.
3] Nick Reston Boyle of LBHF has taken suggestions to TfL. Concerning the Holland Park roundabout, there may be a “Hamburger “ solution, where a cycle track goes east – west across the roundabout. This has some problems where it meets the apex of Shepherds Bush Common, ie at the Ginglik that was. Another possibility there is to have peninsularisation, ie taking out a section of the roundabout and connecting to the surrounding land. But this has more drastic traffic flow implications
4]Nick has also taken suggestions for Hammersmith Gyratory to TfL. These include peninsularisation [cutting out Queen Caroline St] or a 2-way cycle track around the outside of the gyratory.
Alan pointed out that Coca –Cola has now vacated its premises at the gyratory, and Disney may also be leaving. John said that TfL would like to remove the temporary bus station. Perhaps there will be some major changes there.
20MPH
We thought that plans for a consultation on 20mph was going to be put forward by Officers to Councillors for their approval at the LBHF Policy and Accountability Committee [PAC] meeting on Tuesday 21 April at 7pm. However this will not be and it will be presented to a later meeting.
HAMMERSMITH BRIDGE
At the last PAC meeting John had asked for a ride with Councillors and their families so that they could experience the difficulties of riding on the bridge. The idea is that they would agree signs saying “Cyclists Priority” or “Do not Overtake Cyclists”. This will probably be on the morning of Saturday 25 April. We will be looking for a small number of vulnerable cyclists ie parents carrying children on their bikes, cargo bikes with children, or parents cycling with children to demonstrate the type of cyclist the bridge should be designed for. You would not be expected to cycle on the bridge if you do not want to.
This is not a demonstration or protest, and is not suitable for anyone likely to antagonise the Councillors. We only want a few to come along as in the past with a larger group conversation has proven difficult. John will send a separate message about this.
WEBSITE
Lynn has contacted Alex Ingram and we now have more control of the website. John and Lynn will work on getting it revised and updated. Lynn will see about contacting Loretta Reehill about the password for the facebook page.
LIGHTS ON BASKETS
Paul said he had seen a good design for fitting a light bracket to a basket. The idea is that you split a cork lengthwise, and then tape it around a narrow wire on the basket. The bracket can then be attached to the cork instead of the frame of the bike.
RIDES and EVENTS
Thames Bridges Bike Ride
Sunday 10 May — www.stroke.org.uk/tbbr
LCC rides page
EXPENSES
Ken had expenses of £36.24 for tonight’s refreshments.
John had expenses of £8.10 for refreshments when we last picked up the NO2 tubes.
DATE / PLACE OF NEXT MEETING
Tuesday 12 May 7.15 for 7.30pm
At the home of John Griffiths
122c Edith rd, West Kensington. W14 9AP
[please put in your diary now]
John Griffiths [chair]
020 7371 1290 / 07789 095 748