2019
Save Wincheap Water Meadows
Spokes committee strongly opposes the proposed expansion of the Wincheap park and ride to include part of the Stour marshes. Crunch time is Tuesday 15 October when the Council's planning committee will meet at 6.30pm at the Guildhall to decide whether to approve the council's own application to extend the Wincheap park and ride onto Wincheap Meadows.
If you can, please attend that meeting in order to show councillors the strength of feeling about this issue. Also, if you are able, join members and supporters of Love Hambrook Marshes beforehand for a demonstration in Westgate Grove at 5.45pm and then at 6pm to hear Richard Navarro sing Leave Them Be.
Click here to watch the video, which totally discredits the planning officers' claim that the proposed development would 'reflect the commercial and urbanised context to the south of the site' and therefore won't have a significant impact on the landscape.
Two Love Hambrook Marshes trustees have been granted permission to speak for three minutes before the councillors debate the matter.
Please download the flyer and forward or copy to as many people as possible.
If you can, please attend that meeting in order to show councillors the strength of feeling about this issue. Also, if you are able, join members and supporters of Love Hambrook Marshes beforehand for a demonstration in Westgate Grove at 5.45pm and then at 6pm to hear Richard Navarro sing Leave Them Be.
Click here to watch the video, which totally discredits the planning officers' claim that the proposed development would 'reflect the commercial and urbanised context to the south of the site' and therefore won't have a significant impact on the landscape.
Two Love Hambrook Marshes trustees have been granted permission to speak for three minutes before the councillors debate the matter.
Please download the flyer and forward or copy to as many people as possible.
Affordable, refurbished bikes available
Recycle are holding their next sale of affordable, recycled and refurbished bikes on Saturday 19 October and Saturday 30 November. The sales are being held at Goldwyn School, Ashford (TN23 3BT) and run from 10.00am - 1pm. The bikes are fully serviced, clean and available in a variety of sizes.
Also, if you have an unwanted bike cluttering up your shed or garage, you can donate it to Recycle at these events. More information in the event flyer and from www.cyclecommunity.org.
Recycle are holding their next sale of affordable, recycled and refurbished bikes on Saturday 19 October and Saturday 30 November. The sales are being held at Goldwyn School, Ashford (TN23 3BT) and run from 10.00am - 1pm. The bikes are fully serviced, clean and available in a variety of sizes.
Also, if you have an unwanted bike cluttering up your shed or garage, you can donate it to Recycle at these events. More information in the event flyer and from www.cyclecommunity.org.
Ashford cycling and walking consultation
Ashford Borough Council is looking for views on its proposed new cycling and walking strategy. This is part of a wider strategy to improve sustainable transport, in particular making the town centre more accessible, and has six main aims:
Ashford Borough Council is looking for views on its proposed new cycling and walking strategy. This is part of a wider strategy to improve sustainable transport, in particular making the town centre more accessible, and has six main aims:
- to provide and improve the cycling and walking network
- to increase cycle parking around the borough
- maintaining the existing cycling and walking network
- focusing on safer cycling
- promoting cycling and walking in the borough
- increasing opportunities for cycling and walking tourism.
KCC 20mph review
Kent County Council (KCC) is reviewing how and where it implements 20mph schemes. More information about the review can be found on the Council's media hub or you can read the report on their website.
Kent County Council (KCC) is reviewing how and where it implements 20mph schemes. More information about the review can be found on the Council's media hub or you can read the report on their website.
Creating Networks!
The Creating Networks! event on 26 April was a very successful full-day event which brought together national and local cycling organisations, officers from Kent County Council (KCC) and Professor Stephen Peckham, an expert on air pollution from Kent university.
In order to have a more coherent approach and be more effective in achieving better outcomes for active travel throughout Kent, speakers considered various topics, including:
The Creating Networks! event on 26 April was a very successful full-day event which brought together national and local cycling organisations, officers from Kent County Council (KCC) and Professor Stephen Peckham, an expert on air pollution from Kent university.
In order to have a more coherent approach and be more effective in achieving better outcomes for active travel throughout Kent, speakers considered various topics, including:
- What campaign groups should do more of, subject to limited resources.
- What actions were considered not particularly helpful to the cause.
- What they could do to support each other with limited resources and levels of expertise.
- Who to contact about particular issues so that there were clearer channels of communication.
Cycle Friendly Deal - A gathering of local cyclists
10.30am-12pm, Saturday 5 January, Deal Town Hall
Following Deal Town Council’s successful bid for funding from the Government’s Coastal Communities Fund, Cycle Friendly Deal is now up and running and they are organising a gathering for local cyclists. Cycle Friendly Deal would like as many local cyclists - and people who ride bikes but don’t call themselves “cyclists” - to come along to this get together to capture valuable local cycling knowledge and an understanding of the issues Deal cyclists face.
The gathering, will also share the latest project developments and outline ways that cyclists can directly help the project by undertaking surveys, sharing photos and videos, organising rides and events, and potentially establishing a new Deal Cycle Forum.
If you can attend, please let Cycle Friendly Deal know by emailing [email protected] with RSVP CYCLISTS GATHERING 5 JANUARY as the email subject.
2018
T he Pilgrimage for Clean Air
Saturday, 29 December, 10.30am - 12 noon
The Canterbury Alliance for Sustainable Transport is organising a ‘pilgrimage for clean air’ to protest against the proposed multi-storey car park at Canterbury West station, call for proper air quality measurement and celebrate Canterbury’s Heritage. It will start by St Dunstan’s Church, where Henry II is said to have begun his penance on his knees to the shrine of Thomas Becket. This pilgrimage marks the anniversary of Thomas Becket’s martyrdom on 29 December in 1170.
Many people will be in fancy dress — as pilgrims — and will be accompanied by musicians. They will stop along the way to hear modern day tales from Canterbury pilgrims who are concerned that breathing in the air containing high levels of PM (particulate matter) and NOx (nitrogen oxide) on the pilgrimage route is harming people’s health. These tales will include the Scrivener’s tale, the Professor’s tale and the Air Quality Scientist’s tale.
The pilgrimage will go along the High Street, past Chaucer’s statue, to the front entrance to the cathedral and then back down to the site of the multi-storey car park by Canterbury West Station.
Far from building on Canterbury’s heritage, this expensive, architecturally-unattractive development will encourage more cars into the centre and will increase air pollution. The council seems unconcerned.
Saturday, 29 December, 10.30am - 12 noon
The Canterbury Alliance for Sustainable Transport is organising a ‘pilgrimage for clean air’ to protest against the proposed multi-storey car park at Canterbury West station, call for proper air quality measurement and celebrate Canterbury’s Heritage. It will start by St Dunstan’s Church, where Henry II is said to have begun his penance on his knees to the shrine of Thomas Becket. This pilgrimage marks the anniversary of Thomas Becket’s martyrdom on 29 December in 1170.
Many people will be in fancy dress — as pilgrims — and will be accompanied by musicians. They will stop along the way to hear modern day tales from Canterbury pilgrims who are concerned that breathing in the air containing high levels of PM (particulate matter) and NOx (nitrogen oxide) on the pilgrimage route is harming people’s health. These tales will include the Scrivener’s tale, the Professor’s tale and the Air Quality Scientist’s tale.
The pilgrimage will go along the High Street, past Chaucer’s statue, to the front entrance to the cathedral and then back down to the site of the multi-storey car park by Canterbury West Station.
Far from building on Canterbury’s heritage, this expensive, architecturally-unattractive development will encourage more cars into the centre and will increase air pollution. The council seems unconcerned.
Cycle friendly Deal gets £98000
Sixteen successful 'fast track’ projects are receiving a share of £6 million Coastal Communities Fund money to help deliver sustainable growth and jobs across the British coast. And one of these is Deal.
Deal has been given a £98,077 grant towards a £106,000 project to create a 'new tourism offer' aimed at families and occasional cyclists to make Deal a cycle friendly town. Funding will support the development of family friendly cycle routes, improved signage and the creation of new cycle maps and guides, plus a new e-bike share scheme.
The 'fast track' projects are 'ready to go’ and work should begin in 2018 to 2019 before the main round funding becomes available in April 2019. More information from gov.uk, the government's website.
Sixteen successful 'fast track’ projects are receiving a share of £6 million Coastal Communities Fund money to help deliver sustainable growth and jobs across the British coast. And one of these is Deal.
Deal has been given a £98,077 grant towards a £106,000 project to create a 'new tourism offer' aimed at families and occasional cyclists to make Deal a cycle friendly town. Funding will support the development of family friendly cycle routes, improved signage and the creation of new cycle maps and guides, plus a new e-bike share scheme.
The 'fast track' projects are 'ready to go’ and work should begin in 2018 to 2019 before the main round funding becomes available in April 2019. More information from gov.uk, the government's website.
Free cycle loan scheme
If you work or study in Kent and would like access to free bicycles to try cycling to and from work or education, then a new cycle loan scheme from Kent Connected could be for you!
The new cycle loan scheme provides free access to refurbished cycles with the aim of promoting active and sustainable ways to travel to and from work and/or education. The cycles are provided through Cycle Community, a Community Interest Company, who take unwanted cycles and refurbish them to be used by the local community.
If you are interested in this scheme and would like more information or to apply, get in touch by emailing [email protected] or visit https://kentconnected.org/info-for/businesses/free-bikes-kent-workplaces-schools.
Kent Connected is a Kent County Council initiative funded by the Department for Transport’s Local Sustainable Transport Fund to address peak traffic congestion, improve travel choices and promote more active and sustainable transport modes in Kent.
If you work or study in Kent and would like access to free bicycles to try cycling to and from work or education, then a new cycle loan scheme from Kent Connected could be for you!
The new cycle loan scheme provides free access to refurbished cycles with the aim of promoting active and sustainable ways to travel to and from work and/or education. The cycles are provided through Cycle Community, a Community Interest Company, who take unwanted cycles and refurbish them to be used by the local community.
If you are interested in this scheme and would like more information or to apply, get in touch by emailing [email protected] or visit https://kentconnected.org/info-for/businesses/free-bikes-kent-workplaces-schools.
Kent Connected is a Kent County Council initiative funded by the Department for Transport’s Local Sustainable Transport Fund to address peak traffic congestion, improve travel choices and promote more active and sustainable transport modes in Kent.
Do you travel to Maidstone town centre?
Maidstone Borough Council is running a consultation - ending 21st October - to help plan how they could offer alternative modes of transport that best suit local communities. As part of their Integrated Transport Strategy the council want to offer and promote better, greener and more convenient ways to travel within the borough. Whether you use public transport, Park and Ride, car share, walk or cycle the council would like to hear from you. The consultation can be found at http://maidstone-consult.limehouse.co.uk/portal.
Maidstone Borough Council is running a consultation - ending 21st October - to help plan how they could offer alternative modes of transport that best suit local communities. As part of their Integrated Transport Strategy the council want to offer and promote better, greener and more convenient ways to travel within the borough. Whether you use public transport, Park and Ride, car share, walk or cycle the council would like to hear from you. The consultation can be found at http://maidstone-consult.limehouse.co.uk/portal.
Swale cycling and walking consultation
Swale Borough Council has opened a consultation on it Cycling and Walking Policy Framework 2018-22.
The council is asking Swale residents and businesses to provide them with details of where they would like to see new cycling and walking routes in the borough, and how the current network can be improved
Swale is at an early stage in developing its proposals and responses to the consultation will help the council develop their ideas.
Consultation documents and a questionnaire can be found on the council's website at https://www.swale.gov.uk/cycling-walking-consultation.
The closing date for this consultation is Friday 5 October 2018.
Swale Borough Council has opened a consultation on it Cycling and Walking Policy Framework 2018-22.
The council is asking Swale residents and businesses to provide them with details of where they would like to see new cycling and walking routes in the borough, and how the current network can be improved
Swale is at an early stage in developing its proposals and responses to the consultation will help the council develop their ideas.
Consultation documents and a questionnaire can be found on the council's website at https://www.swale.gov.uk/cycling-walking-consultation.
The closing date for this consultation is Friday 5 October 2018.
Integrated transport hub for Canterbury
There’s still time to stop the multi-storey car park in Station Road West.
You have until the end of August to sign a petition online calling for the council to abandon its plans and you can also write to your local councillor.
The plan is for an integrated transport hub which doesn’t favour cars over other forms of transport but benefits everyone – cyclists, pedestrians and car, bus and taxi users. It will access the station from both sides of the railway line. Ramsgate is considered a good example with facilities for buses, taxis, cyclists as well as car parking and safe pedestrian access.
More information on this proposed hub can be found on the Canterbury Lib-Dems website.
There’s still time to stop the multi-storey car park in Station Road West.
You have until the end of August to sign a petition online calling for the council to abandon its plans and you can also write to your local councillor.
The plan is for an integrated transport hub which doesn’t favour cars over other forms of transport but benefits everyone – cyclists, pedestrians and car, bus and taxi users. It will access the station from both sides of the railway line. Ramsgate is considered a good example with facilities for buses, taxis, cyclists as well as car parking and safe pedestrian access.
More information on this proposed hub can be found on the Canterbury Lib-Dems website.
Canterbury Park and pedal scheme
Canterbury City Council’s new ‘park and pedal’ scheme was launched at Wincheap park and ride today on Tuesday 26 June. Park and pedal offers free parking for people who then cycle into the city rather than take the bus.
A new 28-space cycle parking compound, which can only be accessed via a key card and is available 24/7, has been built to provide secure storage for bikes. Maintenance equipment is also available.
More information from https://news.canterbury.gov.uk/park-for-free-and-get-on-your-bike/
Canterbury City Council’s new ‘park and pedal’ scheme was launched at Wincheap park and ride today on Tuesday 26 June. Park and pedal offers free parking for people who then cycle into the city rather than take the bus.
A new 28-space cycle parking compound, which can only be accessed via a key card and is available 24/7, has been built to provide secure storage for bikes. Maintenance equipment is also available.
More information from https://news.canterbury.gov.uk/park-for-free-and-get-on-your-bike/
Transport planner - cycling in Kent
Kent County Council (KCC) are looking for a transport planner to develop cycling plans in the county and be KCC’s expert point of contact for communicating with cycling forums and borough councils to progress infrastructure plans for cycling.
If you think you can make a difference for cyclists by working for KCC, you can find out more about this job from https://kenthrbc.referrals.selectminds.com/jobs/transport-planner-cycling-1080.
Closing date for applications is 15 August.
Kent County Council (KCC) are looking for a transport planner to develop cycling plans in the county and be KCC’s expert point of contact for communicating with cycling forums and borough councils to progress infrastructure plans for cycling.
If you think you can make a difference for cyclists by working for KCC, you can find out more about this job from https://kenthrbc.referrals.selectminds.com/jobs/transport-planner-cycling-1080.
Closing date for applications is 15 August.
The Big Conversation
Having caused outrage earlier this year with its plans to cut rural bus services, Kent County Council has now decided to "find out if there is an innovative and sustainable way of providing transport to rural communities in Kent" and is asking for comments - The Big Converstaion - on proposals to achieve this. Background documents and questionnaire are available at http://www.kent.gov.uk/roads-and-travel/travelling-around-kent/big-conversation. Closing date for comments is Wednesday 8 August.
Having caused outrage earlier this year with its plans to cut rural bus services, Kent County Council has now decided to "find out if there is an innovative and sustainable way of providing transport to rural communities in Kent" and is asking for comments - The Big Converstaion - on proposals to achieve this. Background documents and questionnaire are available at http://www.kent.gov.uk/roads-and-travel/travelling-around-kent/big-conversation. Closing date for comments is Wednesday 8 August.
100 Women in cycling
Cycling UK's 100 Women in Cycling list for 2018 celebrates inspirational women who are encouraging others to take part in this wonderful and life-enhancing activity. Cycling UK received hundreds of nominations from staff, members and supporters and a panel have chosen 100 women to be on this year's list. You can find out more about them and read their stories at
https://www.cyclinguk.org/100women
Cycling UK's 100 Women in Cycling list for 2018 celebrates inspirational women who are encouraging others to take part in this wonderful and life-enhancing activity. Cycling UK received hundreds of nominations from staff, members and supporters and a panel have chosen 100 women to be on this year's list. You can find out more about them and read their stories at
https://www.cyclinguk.org/100women
Crab and Winkle exhibition
Friday 22 June and Saturday 23 June
Plans for an extension of the Crab and Winkle Way in Whitstable, including designs for two new bridges at Teynham Road and Old Bridge Road, will be on display at an exhibition being held on Friday 22 and Saturday 23 June between 1pm and 5pm at St Peter’s Hall in Cromwell Road, Whitstable. This work already has planning permission - and £150,00 funding - and is part of a wider scheme to provide an attractive, traffic-free route for walking and cycling between Invicta Way and the harbour, which is listed in the Canterbury City Council’s Transport Strategy.
Friday 22 June and Saturday 23 June
Plans for an extension of the Crab and Winkle Way in Whitstable, including designs for two new bridges at Teynham Road and Old Bridge Road, will be on display at an exhibition being held on Friday 22 and Saturday 23 June between 1pm and 5pm at St Peter’s Hall in Cromwell Road, Whitstable. This work already has planning permission - and £150,00 funding - and is part of a wider scheme to provide an attractive, traffic-free route for walking and cycling between Invicta Way and the harbour, which is listed in the Canterbury City Council’s Transport Strategy.
Canterbury local plan challenge
A crowdfunding page has been launched to raise the funds necessary to challenge Canterbury's Adopted Local Plan on air pollution grounds.
Spokes members are urged to support the legal challenge by contributing what they can to the fund and by sharing the crowdjustice link by email and social media - https://www.crowdjustice.com/case/canterburyairpollution/
A crowdfunding page has been launched to raise the funds necessary to challenge Canterbury's Adopted Local Plan on air pollution grounds.
Spokes members are urged to support the legal challenge by contributing what they can to the fund and by sharing the crowdjustice link by email and social media - https://www.crowdjustice.com/case/canterburyairpollution/
Canterbury District Local Plan
Canterbury City Council's Local Plan was formally adopted by the council on 13 July. At over 400 pages, it's not an easy read or something for the beach this summer but it does provide the framework and details of how the area will be developed and changed over the next decade or so. There is a section on transport which had good things to say about cycling and walking but, as always, the devil is in the detail and how things are implemented.
If you'd like to look at the plan, you can find it at https://www.canterbury.gov.uk/planning/local-plan/adopted-local-plan/adopted-local-plan-july-2017/.
Canterbury City Council's Local Plan was formally adopted by the council on 13 July. At over 400 pages, it's not an easy read or something for the beach this summer but it does provide the framework and details of how the area will be developed and changed over the next decade or so. There is a section on transport which had good things to say about cycling and walking but, as always, the devil is in the detail and how things are implemented.
If you'd like to look at the plan, you can find it at https://www.canterbury.gov.uk/planning/local-plan/adopted-local-plan/adopted-local-plan-july-2017/.
Car parking at Canterbury West station
There is a new consultation for the multi-storey car park at Canterbury West station. Spokes members are urged to comment on this as a matter of urgency as it will add to congestion, pollution and is not going to improve cycling in the area.
https://www.canterbury.gov.uk/your-council/have-your-say/consultations/station-road-west-multi-storey-car-park/
The deadline is Wednesday, 5 July.
Spokes has submitted our views on this development - if you would like a copy of these, please contact us.
There is a new consultation for the multi-storey car park at Canterbury West station. Spokes members are urged to comment on this as a matter of urgency as it will add to congestion, pollution and is not going to improve cycling in the area.
https://www.canterbury.gov.uk/your-council/have-your-say/consultations/station-road-west-multi-storey-car-park/
The deadline is Wednesday, 5 July.
Spokes has submitted our views on this development - if you would like a copy of these, please contact us.
