Here at RCC our engagement with the council tends to be:
Responding to consultations on proposed cycle infrastructure schemes and, if they affect cyclists, road safety traffic schemes.
Pushing for more and better cycling infrastructure.
It’s hard work but someone’s got to do it.
But this is not the only way to get things done …Councils take seriously and respond to proposals put forward by groups of residents. It’s all well and good for a London Borough Cycling Campaign to ask the Council to create an LTN or instal Anti Rat Run measures on the ‘Plagued by Through Traffic Estate’ to reduce through traffic, make crossings safer for children on their way to school and the streets generally more cycling and waking friendly (it would, wouldn’t it). It’s another matter, though, if the residents of the Plagued by Through Traffic Estate ask for these things themselves. And it’s even better if the residents can enlist the support of their local councillors, an important part of whose role is to represent the wishes of their constituents.
Does any of this apply to Redbridge? We think it might. We think we have come across a road safety scheme (a new crossing of a busy road) that was developed in response to local demand (a petition and lobbying of Councillors). To their credit, council officers, when working up the scheme, saw and took the opportunity to incorporate some new and useful cycle infrastructure.
So, it might be that your street WhatsApp group, your school gate friends or your fellow football parents, think something should be done to make things better and safer for cycling and walking in your area. If so, why not have a go at approaching the Council? Officers and Councillors might well agree with you and the Councillors will certainly want your votes. If you do decide to have a go and if there is anything we can do to help, we will. For example, we might be able to tell you what other Councils in other parts of London have done in similar situations.
In June 2024 the Council took the decision to partially remove the cycle barriers at the entrances to Claybury Park on Roding Lane and Acle Close. That got a Hooray from RCC. The decision meant that more (but not all) cycles could get access to the park and could use the cycle track through the park. As you can see the track is recorded as part of the Borough’s existing cycle network (see below).
Well, the improved access didn’t’ last long …
The Council has now re-instated the barriers, effectively restricting access to just those cyclists who ride one of these (straight handlebars/gravel bike bars allowed if they are not too wide).
We are not best pleased …
We have made a freedom of information request to the council to find out what is behind the decision. Once we receive a reply, we will take the matter up with the relevant person(s). At that point we may also ask for your help by writing to councillors or by signing a petition.
Here’s the text:
In June 2024 the Council took the decision to partially remove the cycle barriers at the entrances to Claybury Park on Roding Lane and Acle Close. The Council has now reversed this decision, re-instating the barriers.
Local Transport Note 1/20 paragraph 1.4.2 defines a cycle as follows:
‘For the purpose of this document, the term cycle refers to the full range of vehicles shown in Figure 5.2 in Chapter 5 and described in the accompanying text, including hand-cranked cycles and cycles that conform to the Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycle Regulations 1983 (as amended)’.
The council’s decision to re-instate the cycle barriers means that most types of cycles, as defined in LTN 1/20, will no longer be able to gain access to the park or only with considerable difficulty. Those adversely affected by this decision include those riding
cycles with child seats (parents and children),
cycles with tag-along trailers (parents and children)
cycles with buggies (parents and children)
hand powered cycles (people with disabilities)
tricycles (people with issues balancing, for example people who have suffered strokes or who have multiple sclerosis)
tandems (where the rear rider for some reason is unable to ride a solo bike)
Under the Freedom of Information Act and in relation to the Council’s decision to re-instate the cycle barriers at the gates to Claybury Park on Acle Close and Roding Lane I request the following information.
The position of the officer(s) or councillor(s) who took the decision to reinstate the cycle barriers.
A copy of any summary report or report setting out the case for re-instating the cycle barriers considered by those who took the decision.
What criteria were used to assess the impact of the partial removal of the cycle barriers? If none please say so.
If criteria were used, please provide the document containing the assessment against these criteria of the impact of partially removing the cycle barriers .
The minutes or notes of any meetings held to consider reinstating the cycle barriers. If none please say so.
The total number of instances of anti-social behaviour in Claybury Park reported to the Council in the period 1st June 2024 to 31st January 2025.
The number of instances of anti-social behaviour in Claybury Park reported to the Council involving cyclists in the period 1st June 2024 to 31st January 2025.
The number of instances of anti-social behaviour in Claybury Park reported to the Council involving motor cyclists in the period 1st June 2024 to 31st January 2025.
For the period 1st June 2024 to 31st January 2025, any documents, emails or other communications that refer to any proposals or actions that council officers or others considered taking or took to reduce anti-social behaviour in the park prior to the decision to re-instate the cycle barriers. If none please say so.
All data collected by Council Officers or others that was considered by those making the decision. If none please say so.
A copy of any access audit carried out by council officers or others or the findings from an Equalities Impact Assessment on the impact of a decision to reinstate the cycle barriers on those cyclists who would no longer be able to access the park or only with considerable difficulty and in particular cyclists with disabilities. If no access audit or Equalities Impact Assessment was carried out, please say so.
For the period 1st June 2024 to 31st January 2025, all emails or documents written by council officers, council members or others that discuss or refer to the implications of re-instating the cycle barriers on those who ride cycles that will no longer be able to access the park or only with considerable difficulty.
Redbridge Cycling Campaign 