Response to the Norwich Cycling Campaign

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Tue 17th Apr 2007

Cllr Cooke has responded positively to the Norwich Cycling Campaign

Norwich Liberal Democrats are committed to providing the best cycling network in the city that resources can fund, designed to the highest cycling standards, and produced after full consultation with cycling organisations and residents. This was the reassurance given by Cllr Hereward Cooke, Leader of the Lib Dem Group at City Hall, and himself a keen cyclist.

Replying to the Norwich Cycling Campaign, Cllr Cooke said: "Norwich`s bid for unitary status is the key factor, because it would overcome the control that the County Council presently has over most highways decisions, including those about the provision of cycle networks.

The resulting new responsibility for highways is probably the most important outcome of Norwich possibly being granted such status. We will be able to decide for ourselves the proportion of any budget that can be spent on improving pedestrian safety and cycle route provision. Cycling would receive more support than hitherto has been possible. Making Norwich a Cycling City would become more of a reality and is a priority for the Lib Dems."

Cllr Cooke pointed out that he and Cllr Lubbock had set up a regular meeting between City Hall officers and the Cycling Campaign so that major cycling issues could be discussed and views heard before any decision was made. "I would hope that such a meeting or off-spring of the original Cycling Forum could be continued, because of the importance of hearing cycling views from those closest to two wheels," he said.

In response to specific points raised by the Norwich Cycling Campaign, he said:

"Pottergate re-surfacing: This is a valid point as the present surface does not make for comfortable riding. We would be prepared to look into this and come back with a solution which would either be total or partial resurfacing. I will ask the Council's Head of Transportation and Landscape what restrictions there are on removing these sets.

"Crossing the Inner Ring Road: Any improvements for pedestrian and cyclists crossing the IRR must be welcomed, acknowledging their present priority in the travel hierarchy. It would also be a matter of establishing their priority in the

whole order of schemes for the centre of Norwich, because there are other

demands on the IRR and Outer Ring Road that require attention at least as urgently. If a list of priorities has not yet been produced, it might be a task that the Cycling Campaign could initiate. The Campaign`s "Mutterer" could point us in the right direction of the most dangerous crossings. Barrack Street could be another candidate for a safer crossing.

"Advanced Stopping Lines: These should be standard practice for any redesigned junction with lights. The inclusion of one on Thorpe Road prior to Foundry Bridge should be incorporated as part of the recent completion of the integrated transport link between the Station and Thorpe Road.

"Secure cycle storage at schools: The Hewett School had some cycle racks

that were well used, but this may be the exception rather than the rule. Good storage is presumably a matter for the schools themselves but we would argue for grants being made to schools to encourage them to implement such a strategy.

We would also argue for more attention being paid to safer pedestrian and cycling routes to schools with more marked cycle lanes and special flashing signs for motorists to slow down. 20mph speed limits outside schools would also help."

Footnote: "The cycle ride arranged by the Campaign for Cycling Councillors in 2006 has proved successful in one respect," said Cllr Cooke. "The City's planning officers are now more prepared to look into the Campaign`s suggestion for having a direct cycle route across St Stephen's Road/Newmarket Road junction into Fellowes Plain from Grove Road. We also looked at other schemes which

should be at least on the City's To Do list of cycling improvement. We could take more officers with us next time.

"There is no better way of experiencing the pitfalls and frustrations of cycling

than from the saddle," concluded Cllr Cooke.

If you wish to contact Cllr Cooke either with specific cycling issues that need to be taken up or in response to the ideas above, please do so on 01603 624827

Related Link:

Norwich Cycling Campaign.