Hackney LCC meeting
4 December 2001
Venue: Was billed as Pub on the Park, London E8, but moved at last minute to Brenda Puech's
house, close by, as there had been an armed robbery at the pub, rather alarmingly.
Present:
Trevor Parsons, Katie Hanson, Lucy Thomas, Paul Singer, Brenda Puech, Patrick Field
Topics discussed:
1. Burns Night
2. LCC Strategy Consultation
3. Shoreditch Gyratory
4. Borough Groups Meeting Report back
5. Seasonal Peace and Goodwill ride
1. Burns Night
Larger venue than last year, so publicity should be increased to get larger numbers. It was noted that the
profit on the event last year was £242.00, and we aim to increase it this year. We should try to get an
advert or editorial in the Hackney Gazette, N16 -Tim Webb. (Trevor to do press release for the
newspapers). Circulate among other borough cycling groups. Tim to co-ordinate.
Other fundraising ideas:
- Raffle tickets, everyone to scout around for prizes. Brenda to organise raffle tickets.
- Brenda to set up internet account for ticket purchases
Volunteers needed:
- Three people rota at bar, two to collect tickets. Two stewards to stop people going upstairs.
- Three volunteers needed from noon onwards on the day to cook and set up - Katie, Lucy and Paul.
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2. LCC Strategy Consultation
LCC has asked the group to provide an input into central LCC campaign strategy.
There was some discussion about the usefulness of paper strategies, and also about whether there was
really any difference between strategic aims and tactical objectives. Do the latter not inform the former?
There was a strong feeling that the LCC should not avoid tackling fundamental and controversial issues of
how to make London's streets better for cycling and for the non-destructive modes in general. This debate
would have to include the question of whether the LCC should be pushing for expensive, dubious and
unavoidably limited pursuance of segregated implementations, or for the civilisation of the street
environment in general.
It was decided that our group's campaign priority would be to push for integrated transport planning that
creates an overall safer environment, conducive for all street users, including pedestrians. This was felt
to be preferable to planning and engineering approaches that attempt to segregate and isolate cyclists
(and pedestrians) from other street users, while not tackling the broader-scale street planning and
priorities that favour fast motor vehicle movement and are inherently dangerous.
We would favour a bold, area-wide approach which tackled the comparatively recent phenomenon of the
over-balancing of the street environment towards fast through motor traffic. The LCC's focus should
therefore give greater weight to objectives like the removal of the major one-way gyratories which still
dominate our street environment, (for example the soon-to-be-scrapped Shoreditch Triangle gyratory, and
the remaining problem of the Stoke Newington gyratory).
A related campaign aim would be to encourage all planning authorities to recognise Hackney Agenda 21's street user
priorities - putting pedestrians, cyclists and public transport users first.
Trevor to co-ordinate a response to central LCC along these lines.
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3. Shoreditch Gyratory
The London Transport Users Committe has consulted this group on the latest detailed draft plans for the
Shoreditch scheme, and the group commented on the plans in detail, with regard to provision for cyclists.
Trevor to prepare the group's response on the basis of the comments.
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4. Borough Groups Meeting Report back
Central LCC Mailing is to be outsourced, and different options proposed for local groups newsletters.
Most likely these will now be done by local groups rather than going out with London Cyclist.
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5. Seasonal Peace and Goodwill ride
Paul suggested organising an inter-faith peace and goodwill ride, taking in different religious venues
along a route to Trafalgar Square. It was agreed that this would require considerable organisation and
publicity, and may have to be deferred to a later date. It was suggested that Paul could perhaps discuss
the idea with Siobhan Owens of Newham Cyclists, who has had such a success with helping to put on this
year's two Sikh bike rides (at which Hackney LCC people have stewarded).
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Next Meeting: Wednesday 2nd January, Pub on the Park, London Fields, 8:00 pm. Don't forget to pack your
nine. (Social get together from 7:00 pm)
Back to the meetings index
