Bread pudding ride to Woodmansterne

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Woodmansterne green

Sunday 13th March. A bright mostly sunny day, but with a chilly Easterly wind, saw 22 Cyclists leave via Lower Marsh, Berrylands, Tolworth, Greenway, West Ewell, Hogsmill path, St. Ebba’s path, Epsom, Chalky lane, Epsom downs grandstand, Tattenham corner, Banstead to Woodmansterne for lunch at the ‘Woodman’, (with some minor gripes at the quantity of mash with the Bangers), after the photo stop at the ‘wood-carving’, via Clock house estate, Woodcote garden village, South Beddington to Beddington park for Tea & BP at’the Pavilion’, then Hackbridge, the Wrythe, Benhilton, Sutton, North Cheam, Worcester park, New Malden, Berrylands to Kingston. Total 30 Miles, Map:-www.trimbleoutdoors.com/ViewTrip/3197174

March 2016 Newsletter

In the Spring 2016 issue:

  • Kingston Council re-named Mini-Holland as Go Cycle but as the newsletter went to press they launched a third identity for it – Go Developments. Nick gives an update on what’s been happening, and worringly, what’s not…
  • London Cycling Campaign makes it easy for you to tell the Mayoral candidates that you want a city that is greener, healthier, safer and easier to get about
  • Details for our forthcoming monthly meetings – come along!

KCC news March – May

Bread pudding ride to Hanwell

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Brentford dock, Grand union Canal towpath

Sunday 21st February. A mostly cloudy day with strong blustery winds saw 19 Cyclists leave via, Canbury gardens, Ham, Teddington footbridge, Strawberry hill, Twickenham, St. Margerets, Isleworth, Syon park, Brentford, Grand union towpath to Hanwell, for lunch at ‘the Fox’, then Hanwell viaduct, West Ealing, Ealing, West Acton, Acton park, Stamford, Ravenscourt park, Hammersmith, Fulham to Bishops park for Tea & BP, Putney bridge, Putney, Barnes common,where the ‘P fairy’ (or perhaps a faulty Tyre) left 1 member looking for a train from nearby Barnes station, the remainder continued to Roehampton gate of Richmond park, to Kingston gate, to the Market place. Total 30 Miles, 1 new face, 1 Puncture.

Map :-www.trimbleoutdoors.com/ViewTrip/3183124

Challenge ride to Dorney

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Virginia water Waterfall

Sunday 7th February. A dry but windy day saw 14 Cyclists, leave via Kingston bridge with 1 more having suffered a visit from the ‘P fairy’, catching up in Bushy park, Hampton, Hanworth, Feltham, Bedfont, Stanwell, Stanwell moor, Poyle, Horton, Datchet, then the ‘Jubilee River’ path to Dorney for lunch at the ‘Pineapple’, then via the Dorney footbridge, Monkey island, Fifield, where the ‘P fairy struck again, Cranbourne chase, ‘Peanut’ roundabout, Cheapside, Windsor great park & Virginia water lake and Waterfall, Virginia water village, Thorpe green, Chertsey, Chertsey bridge, Shepperton to Walton bridge for Tea & BP at ‘Gino’s’, Walton on Thames, Esher, Weston green, Giggshill green, Portsmouth Rd to Kingston. Total 48 Miles, 1 new face + 1 returnee from 5 years ago. 2 Punctures.

Map :-www.trimbleoutdoors.com/ViewTrip/3174940

To Go Cycle or not Go Cycle !

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At last some public action on Kingston Council’s “Go Cycle” or Mini Holland programme ! On Thursday 4 February our representatives attended a “key stakeholder” consultation. Draft plans for around half the projects were on show. Some at an advanced stage, others very much an outline.

First the good news; Portsmouth Rd construction works are underway (photos above and below). The southern section is scheduled for completion, although not necessarily opening, this summer. The plans for the northern section look good; continuing the fully protected bi directional cycle tracks on the river side. There are some attractive public realm proposals for access to Queens Promenade for pedestrians. As so often cycling funds are being diverted for other purposes but if it enables the scheme to proceed so be it!

There is a potentially excellent proposal for a fully segregated cycle route from Kingston station to College roundabout. This comprises bi directional cycle tracks on the east side of Wheatfield Way providing a really safe route for families and children to navigate the intimidating race track which is the Kingston one way system.
Continue reading →

Driving and using a mobile phone

The Department for Transport is running a survey on proposed changes to penalties for using a hand-held mobile phone while driving. Some have pointed out that there is no explicit mention of law enforcement, only points and penalties, and that it doesn’t seem to apply to sat nav ‘adjustments’ while driving. However there are free text boxes for those who want to offer their thoughts.

The online survey is at http://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/83EV0

Alternatively, you are welcome to email them directly at mobilephone.consultation@dft.gsi.gov.uk or you can write a letter to:

Mobile Phone FPN Consultation
Department for Transport
RULIS Division, Zone 3/29
Great Minster House
33 Horseferry Road
London, SW1P 4DR

 

Taking Action on Air Pollution

By Jon Fray for the Kingston Cycling Campaign

At the beginning of January the Kingston Cycling Campaign (KCC) responded to Kingston Council’s ten page draft Air Quality Action Plan (AQAP), pointing out a number of concerns and omissions. The Plan correctly identified that most of the air pollution is caused by road traffic and acknowledged that domestic and industrial boilers and other sources also contribute to high levels of oxides of nitrogen and particulates. Maps in the Plan show that those pollutants were concentrated on busy roads, especially along the route of the A3 and the Kingston Town Centre, which won’t be a surprise to anyone.

 

Bike Parking - Copy

Road space reallocation: 10 bikes can be parked in the space taken by one kerbside car

We found the Plan to be lacking in ambition in that it did not seem to address the issues of high levels of traffic but settled for actions such as “measures to support cycling including led commuter rides, Dr Bike sessions and maintenance classes”.  While we approve of these things we think they are probably too passive. Our response was that the Plan should recognise the importance of reallocating road space for safer cycling more pleasant walking and bus priority measures in order to provide the improvement in conditions that that people want if they are not to drive.  Quite remarkably the AQAP did not even mention Kingston’s mini-Holland schemes and the £30 million awarded to provide protected cycle routes around the borough. There seems to be a lack of awareness even within the Council of the importance of mini-Holland schemes.
Continue reading →

Bread pudding ride to Pyrford lock

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the former Wisley Airfield

Sunday 24th January, a mostly overcast day, with a few snatches of Sun, saw 18 Cyclists leave via Portsmouth Rd, Giggshill green, Weston green, Esher, Walton on Thames, Weybridge, Brooklands park, Byfleet village, Wey navigation towpath to Pyrford lock for lunch at ‘the Anchor’, then Wisley, Wisley Airfield, (thanks to Steve for the interesting history lesson), a rather muddy Bridge end farm, Martyr’s green, Cobham, Fairmile to Claremont lake for tea & BP, then Esher, Littleworth, Hinchley wood, Long Ditton, Surbiton & Kingston. Total 28 Miles, 1 new face.

Map:-www.plotaroute.com/route/159653