Campaigning for safer roads for cyclists

We met with Graham Evans, M.P. on Friday 9th March 2012. Also present was CWaC Cllr. Les Ford, who made a significant contribution to the discussion.

Thank you to Derek Heine, Dave Wright, and Dave Fearon for giving up their time to accompany me to the meeting last night, and who each made a big contribution to the debate. Thank you also to everyone who made suggestions, or gave us their support. As Graham Evans said, it is the first stride or turn of the wheel that is the hardest! We made a terrific start and we did our bit locally to support the national campaigns by the CTC and the Times!

We talked about potholes and investment in the roads, especially in the Northwich area. We talked about the comparison between Northwich and Chester, where cycle paths and cycle routes are well signposted and maintained. We talked about the Northwich gyratory one-way system, which has made a difficult route for cyclists, even more difficult.

We talked about the importance of meaningful cycle routes with coloured tarmac, about signage, and lockable bike storage, as in Chester.

Road rage, accidents and deliberate incidents were also discussed, including the weak penalties for offenders. We talked about changing attitudes, responsible cyclist behaviour, and obtaining a critical mass on the road. The Councillor, and M.P. were visibly shocked to learn more about the road violence to Derek Heine and Nigel Wood.

The conclusion to the meeting was a suggestion that members of the WVCC map out the cycle routes and infrastructure that they would like to see in the CWAC ‘Northwich Vision’ for 2014. We were encouraged to contact the Highways Agency and other organisations charged with developing and implementing this plan. Mr Evans suggested that we create something along the lines of a 10 -point plan and present this to him at Westminster in the summer recess. This will be a great opportunity to publicize our ideas, and to gain his support for them.

I suggested that Mr Evans might like to come to the Ice-cream Farm for the Guide Dogs for the Blind sponsored ride, as it is a lovely family day! (I hope that this is alright with you, Alan?)

I feel that the time has come to be more visible, to gain support and acceptance from our community, and to contribute to it. Mr Evans appeared to identify strongly with this, and to link it into the Government’s ideas on a ‘big society.’

The next step might be to create a small group of members willing to take on the work of mapping the routes we would like to see developed and maintained, and to seek the thoughts of all members. Dave Fearon in particular had ideas that he would like to see implemented. Therefore, until we have something a little more concrete, any ideas could be added to the forum or emailed to Dave. ( I hope that it alright, Dave?). If anyone has experience in this area, then please let us know.

If you have any questions about the meeting, please do not hesitate to contact me, the two Daves or Derek!