The last post

This is our last post.  The deadline for responding to the survey is the 5^th January.  Here is the link to the survey

Sustainable Transport Strategy Survey | Let’s Talk Redbridge

You can also make a bespoke response by sending an email to sts@redbridge.gov.uk

This post sets out our thoughts on the 4 questions in the survey that allow free text answers.  If you plan to respond to the consultation using the survey form and you are inclined to agree with us, feel free to cut and paste – but change we to I. 

Redbridge Cycling Campaign and London Cycling Campaign will both submit bespoke responses. 

So, here’s what we think …

7. Please tell us about any other things you face frequently on your journeys in or through the borough that you wish to tell us about.

Please also remember to use the map at the bottom of the main page to pinpoint specific things to us.

To date the borough has made very limited and disjointed provision for cyclists.  Almost every journey involves passing through difficult junctions and cycling along roads without the required degree of protection.  Close passing, being chased down between speed humps, cars parked in cycle lanes and speeding vehicles are features of almost every journey. 

11. Please tell us about any your thoughts on the potential challenges and priorities of the Sustainable Transport Strategy that you wish to tell us about.

The council’s assessment of what will happen to traffic if it does nothing looks sound and realistic.  Doing nothing is not an option.  We agree that street priorities need rebalancing.  We agree that the best way to rebalance priorities is by analysing the borough’s road network using the proposed movement and place framework and the hierarchy of road users.  This should provide a clear picture of what needs to be done.

We think that there are three significant risks to the successful implementation of the strategy that are within the control of the council.  First is a lack of political will.  It is not enough for the relevant cabinet lead member to be committed to the strategy; the commitment must start at the top with the leader themselves.  Without the commitment of the leader of the Council it is very likely that the plan will not be made a priority and so will not receive the resources that it needs.  Next there is the risk that commitment to the plan is not communicated to officers and that councillors are too prepared to listen to reasons why things can be done.  Finally, there is the risk that there are not enough officers employed to carry out the work and/or those that are employed lack the skills, knowledge and understanding needed to bring to life to concept of a network of cycle safe streets through well designed schemes and to be able to write bids to secure the funding the schemes need.  If any or all of these risks occur, then funding will go to other Boroughs and the strategy will fail. 

16. Please explain why, if any of the key goals do not meet your needs or if you want to tell us about any other actions you want us to include?

Please also see our long list of actions for the strategy that provide a more comprehensive list of actions per theme, see link.

We have no comments to make here. 

17. Do you have any other comments about the draft Sustainable Transport Strategy?

The Sustainable Transport Strategy has plenty of excellent stated ambitions, but the detailed plans aren’t anywhere near bold enough to achieve them.  The proposed cycle network included in the plan is simply inadequate: it lacks coherence and connectivity.  The proposed network should comprise

1. Commuter routes through the borough towards Central London.  Where these routes follow busier roads, road space must be re-allocated to provide protected cycle tracks so that cyclists feel safe
2. Routes connecting the borough’s town centres.  Where the routes must use busier roads, road space must be re-allocated to provide protected cycle tracks so that cyclists feel safe. 
3. Quiet cycle streets that let residents travel safely by bicycle and on foot to the borough’s railway and underground stations and schools.  These streets will be characterised by features that restrict motor vehicle access and reduce motor vehicle speed.  
4. Quiet cycle streets that let residents travel safely by bicycle and on foot to the Borough’s high streets and town centres. These streets will be characterised by features that restrict motor vehicle access and reduce motor vehicle speed. 

For reference an indicative map showing such a network can be found in a post on the Redbridge Cycling Campaign website in a post headed ‘To boldly go ‘ dated 5^th December