Latest Entries
London Sky Ride 2011
01 January '11 by Paul Luton, under Events, Feeder Rides, Rides.
This year’s takes place on Sunday 4 September. It’s a great opportunity for all the family to cycle on traffic free streets in central London. Kelly Brook recently launched the event with London Mayor Boris Johnson, .
As in previous years, Richmond Cycling Campaign will be leading feeder rides from Little Green next to the big green in Richmond, opposite Richmond Library – . These rides will link into the main ride in central London. Last year we ran two feeder rides with nearly 200 riders in total, it was quite a sight! This year we shall again have two feeder rides – one at 9.30am and a second at 10.30am. We shall also lead a ride back to Richmond so you won’t be left behind in central London!
We do need your help though. If you are a confident cyclist and would be willing to act as a marshal for these feeder rides do please get in touch. It is a really rewarding experience and is our biggest organised ride of the year. If that sounds like something you would like to be part of, email Paul our rides coordinator at
As well as the main London event, this year there were two local London Skyrides in (31 July) and (21 August).
Find out more info on the main .
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London Road roundabout – the last word?
01 September '11 by nick, under All Posts, Campaign, Consultation, Mayor's Question Time.
It took time but we have a written response from Transport for London following the site meeting on 15th July.
2 documents stand out from the 18 sent:
1. 2008 report on the feasibility of replacing the roundabout with a traffic light controlled junction [conclusion: it's not, p17-18]
2. TfL reply to the series of questions we asked both in writing and in person at the site visit.
, MP for Twickenham, Teddington, Whitton & The Hamptons, told TfL on 14th July he was familiar with the report but wrote:
“I have received a number of emails…about the [London Road] roundabout and the omission of a crossing from TfL’s latest plans. My understanding is that in the original scheme there were plans for a signal controlled crossing across the northern arm of London Rd when it was concluded that full roundabout signalling could not be done. This also included closure of the Cole Park Rd/Chertsey Rd northern entrance. It is not clear to me why it is now being said that such a crossing would not be feasible. If you have visited the roundabout yourself, then you will know that it can be virtually impossible at times to cross the road because of the heavy flow of traffic and its speed. Enlarging traffic islands will still mean people have to take their chances and cyclists will still have to run across the road with their bikes to and from the cycle lanes. The only solution to make this roundabout safe is a crossing and I hope TfL will now revert to the earlier proposal.”
TfL replied on 10th August:
“TfL investigated the signalisation of the roundabout in earlier work undertaken between 2006 and 2008. We concluded that provision of signals on each arm would reduce the overall capacity of the junction to accommodate traffic flow, resulting in increased queuing and displacement of traffic to adjacent parts of the network (potentially to residential side roads). A further option that has been investigated but which was not feasible on cost grounds was to convert the roundabout to a signalised crossroads. There is a large gas main in the centre of the junction, and TfL would need to pay for it to be moved in order to accommodate a crossroads. This has an estimated cost of £870,000, in addition to the costs of other civil engineering and design. The total cost could not be justified in relation to user benefit. The provision of a stand-alone ‘Toucan’ crossing sited away from the junction cannot be provided due to several vehicle accesses for adjacent properties, and it is the Mayor’s policy to limit the number of traffic signals in London, given their operational and maintenance costs, in addition to their impact on capacity. Whilst we recognise that some respondents would prefer an alternative scheme, we frequently need to balance competing demands from road users and carefully prioritise available resources. The response to our recent consultation on the scheme was largely positive and for this reason we will progress it.
We are however investigating as a separate scheme a proposal to close the northern entrance to Cole Park Road and relocate the existing Toucan crossing to the east of the roundabout. This has the potential benefit of achieving a cycle crossing closer to existing desire lines, increasing the exit capacity of the roundabout through providing additional queuing space and reducing rat-running traffic on Cole Park Road, which is primarily residential. We do however need to carefully consider both the impact of the proposal on pedestrian desire lines at the junction and its costs. In the event that we are able to identify a viable option, we will proceed to undertake public consultation on this proposal before determining a way forward. Work is still at an early concept stage, and we are working closely with the London Borough of Richmond during the design process.”
Key statements are repeated in TfL’s response on 18th August:
“…signalisation of the roundabout would have caused severe delays.”
“…the presence of several dropped kerb accesses nearby mean that we are not able to provide stand-alone toucan crossings in locations that are close to the pedestrian and cyclist desire lines.”
“…the current Mayoral policy is that there should be no net growth of traffic signals on the network.”
“…St Margaret’s roundabout was signalised in 1995 prior to TfL’s formation, the introduction of the 2004 Traffic Management Act and current Mayoral policy to limit the growth of signals in London.” [i.e. we wouldn't do it now]
So, what’s the evidence to support the statements:
- reduce the overall capacity of the junction to accommodate traffic flow
- increased queuing
- displacement of traffic
Nothing specific to London Road but we’ve been given the Traffic Modelling Guidelines and Model Auditing Process MAP so we’ll read through them to see if they answer questions like:
- Is a numerical value ascribed to“severe delays” e.g. time taken to travel a set distance?
- Does a numerical value trigger the classification “severe“ e.g. twice as long to travel a set distance?
- How is “capacity“ expressed and calculated?
- Does a numerical value trigger the classification “unacceptable“ e.g. twice as long to travel a set distance during peak compared to off-peak?
- How is “increased queuing“ measured, expressed and predicted?
Thanks to:
Dr Vince CABLE for writing to TfL [Read more about his views on cycling in Twickenham in his recent column in although we'd ask what "well appointed safe cycle routes" and about the evidence that "helmets reduce the risk of serious injury"];
, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group and Chair of the Transport Committee, London Assembly, for her persistence in asking about the roundabout at Mayor’s Question Time;
, Richmond and Twickenham Green Party, and Phil JONES for writing excellent letters to Richmond and Twickenham Times on 1st and 8th July respectively;
for giving us air-time at the beginning of July.
Last, but certainly not least, Tim Harris, who, because he cycles the route to work and knows what he’s talking about, has repeatedly challenged TfL: a true veloteer.
More to follow on other parts of the A316 cycle route.
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Cycling Liaison Group 5th September
29 August '11 by nick, under All Posts, Campaign, Consultation, Cycling Liaison Group Meeting.
It’s been a while since the last meeting so there should be lots to talk about next Monday.
Click for papers posted on the Council website including Agenda and Draft Budget 2011-12
Read notes of the March meeting [Agenda item 3] for what was said last time. In relation to those [6 Review of CLG Priority List] we’ll soon ask the Yahoo Group to indicate their preferences for the routes listed in Draft RCC Priority List Action Plan
Agenda item 6 Public Rights of Way Footpaths was prompted by our June posting and suggested so far are:
From Thames Towpath at Barnes Bridge to Barnes railway station and NCN 4 at Vine Road to Richmond Park via
Long Walk
Westfields Avenue
Barnes Recreation Ground
Evelyn Terrace at Old Deer Park Gardens in Kew, as an alternative to Jocelyn Road where the road is significantly narrowed by parked cars
South Worple Avenue in Mortlake, avoiding White Hart Lane
and on to Barnes station south of the railway via Rosslyn Avenue and Woodlands Road
and Barnes Common
E-mail with your thoughts about these and issues to raise at the meeting. Remember TfL will not be attending as it’s outside office hours.
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Bicycle thieves in Hampton Hill /Teddington
22 August '11 by Paul Luton, under Security.
Police report that on two weekends in August a number of bikes were stolen by breaking into sheds or climbing over fences.
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RCC Newsletter – 19 August 2011
21 August '11 by admin, under Newsletters.
Once or twice a month, we send out an email update on cycling in Richmond. If you’d like to sign up for these, contact us here.
We also post the newsletters here on our website. Read below and enjoy! Previous newsletters can be found here.
Hello,
Police Blitz on Pavement Cycling in Richmond Upon Thames
23rd August is an advisory day where the police will issue leaflets. This will be followed by a day of action when pavement cyclists will be fined.
The post above details guidance from the Home Office about issuing penalties for cycling on the pavement.
There is some interesting comment on pavement cycling in this blog post…
Outer London Fund
The Mayor has announced the towns for which he has made awards from the Outer London Fund in the first phase of his town centre initiative. Twickenham, Whitton and Barnes are amongst those that will benefit.
Details are at
(more…)
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TfL, Terrible for Listening
21 August '11 by nick, under All Posts, Campaign, Consultation, Cycling Liaison Group Meeting.
Despite our continuing disagreement with TfL about their planned work at the London Road roundabout, the urgency of making the A316 cyclepath safe to use at Old Deer Park and resolution of those “Cyclists Dismount” requirements at Manor Circus, Chalkers Corner and Mortlake Road, we’re not ignoring their Programme of work in the Borough this financial year.
11 schemes are listed, 5 relating to A316 Chertsey Road and 6 to A205 South Circular, 4 of those in Upper Richmond Road.
There are no projected costs attached to these works so we don’t know what money is being spent.
London Road is 1 of the 5 schemes and another, the route between Chalkers Corner and Manor Road, is apparently complete, leaving 3 to be considered. TfL have asked us to comment on one and, if you cycle the route or live in Whitton, we’re asking you to contact them direct because they don’t acknowledge or reply to our e-mails. Here’s the detail:
A316 Chertsey Road – Proposed cycling and pedestrian improvement scheme
Transport for London (TfL) is currently developing a proposal to improve facilities for pedestrians and cyclists along the A316 Chertsey Road. In addition the scheme will eliminate the issues of illegal rat running on the adjacent side roads off Chertsey Road.
The scheme will see the junctions of Godfrey Avenue, Redway Drive and Jublilee Avenue on the Chertsey Road permanently closed to vehicular traffic (junctions have been temporarily closed for over 10 years)
Shared use pedestrian and cyclist footways will be provided at these locations and improved signage informing cyclists and pedestrians of shared use footways will be installed.
In summary, the proposed measures include the following:
- Formally close the junctions of Godfrey Avenue, Redway Drive and Jubilee Avenue with A316 Chertsey Road;
- Provide shared use footway at the closure locations;
- Provide improved cyclist and pedestrian facilities and information on where cyclists are able to use the footway.
Please find attached design drawings for this scheme Godfrey Avenue, Jubilee Avenue and Redway Drive
If you have any comments with regard to this proposal please contact us at by 22 August 2011.
Yours faithfully
Sara Peters, Consultation and Engagement Centre, Transport for London,
Now, Richmond Cycling Campaign welcomes any changes that makes cycling this route better, we just think there are rather more important things to do, which is what we will tell TfL.
By the way, we asked TfL to come to the Cycling Liaison Group, which meets 4 times a year, every 3 months, but they say they don’t attend external meetings outside office hours.
Click to read what Cyclists in the City think.
Sadly, one of the A205 schemes listed ”Rocks Lane to Kew signage review” includes the words “confirmation is also needed for shared use for cyclists over Kew Bridge which could link to cycle improvements to the other side of the River Thames”, sad given the recent fatality on the bridge.
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Rides for Everyone – 20th August – Apple picking expedition.
20 August '11 by Paul Luton, under Events, Ride Reports.
Meet 10.10
We cross the Thames and take a back route past Sandown Park to in West End. Time for PYO then return. 12 miles but fairly flat (a short cut on return involves a short steep hill – worth pushing)
Just to confirm that this season’s apples are ready for picking.
But didn’t get picked. Just two of us turned up for the ride which we completed at quite a brisk pace. Well “everyone” also includes “experienced” cyclists.
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Rides for Explorers – 7th August – Norbury Park
07 August '11 by Paul Luton, under Events, Ride Reports.
Eight of us met on Twickenham Riverside at 10.15 and head off south via Horton Country Park and Ashstead Common then through the Mole gap in the North Downs. A steep climb took us to the alpine-like fields of Norbury Park now run as a nature reserve and full of flowers and butterflies. We had a well deserved lunch at Brocket’s Farm before returning via Claygate. Pity about the short but heavy shower that caught us in Thames Ditton.
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Olympics Road Race Test Event – Sunday 14th August
07 August '11 by admin, under Community.
Route of the Olympic Road Race
This Sunday sees world class cycling coming to the Borough, with the Olympic Road Race Test event taking place, passing through Richmond, Twickenham, Teddington and Hampton Court. British rider, Mark Cavendish, who won the Green Jersey in the Tour de France this year, .
We’ve created a page with information on this and the Olympic Events that will take place in the Borough next year – Four in total. It includes what time the riders are estimated to arrive in the borough, where to watch the race and a detailed map of the route. It will be a great day out with the best riders from around the world on our doorstep. An excellent opportunity to showcase London after a difficult week.
Olympic Road Race and Time Trial comes to the London Borough of Richmond Upon Thames
Let us know where you decide to watch the race (and of course your favourite nearby pubs and cafes!) and we’ll share it here.
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RCC Newsletter – 5 August 2011
07 August '11 by admin, under Newsletters.
Once or twice a month, we send out an email update on cycling in Richmond. If you’d like to sign up for these, contact us here.
We also post the newsletters here on our website. Read below and enjoy! Previous newsletters can be found here.
Hello,
Monthly Meeting:
This month’s meeting is on Monday the 8th of the 8th at 8.
The Old Ship, Richmond.
Meet downstairs, then head upstairs once everyone has arrived.
London-Surrey Cycle Classic – Olympic Test Event – Sunday 14th August:
The race will travel through the borough and is well worth seeing.
Route & info
Surrey council have a similar website…
And the race has its own newsletter…
(more…)
