Cycling in Hackney News
June 1999/July 1999
Contents
Massive invasion of Hackney by Essex planned for July
Most of us have lots to look forward to this summer, but one thing we could really do without is the threatened opening “sometime in July” of a section of the hated M11 Link Road - our very own brand new urban motorway - unblocking the floodgates and dumping yet more motor traffic into Hackney.
LCC’s Hackney co-ordinator Douglas Carnall recently went to a public meeting which discussed the imminent effects of the road and welcomed the work of Hackney Council’s highway engineers to mitigate the worst pressure on vulnerable areas, such as the Clapton Park area.
Access across the Lea between Hackney and points east by foot, cycle and public transport is poor, and will not be improved by the new road. At the meeting Douglas proposed the idea of a ‘Wick Link’, which would allow cycle and public transport traffic to pass directly north-east up the Eastway, rather than being diverted as it is now via Lee Conservancy Road and Homerton Road. (Douglas is keen to point out that this idea was first suggested by our own Sage of Amhurst Road, Patrick Field). Such a solution might include traffic light controls at the point where the A102 (M) comes off Eastway to allow entry from the contraflow onto Eastway eastbound.
The councillors in the area reportedly take these permeability problems very seriously, and the Wick Link would go some way to improving the situation. Back in May last year John Dryden of Urban Initiatives presented the results of his survey on sustainable access to the Wick. It should be possible to integrate his work with the Wick Link proposal.
Afterthought: Douglas was glad to see unity of opinion against the M11 Link and the expected increase in through motor traffic, but he felt that some councillors were perhaps allowing the focus on the ‘Chingford Commuter’ to minimise the internal problem, i.e. the motorised trips made by residents of Hackney within Hackney - such as the journeys home of many of those who had attended the meeting!
Heather’s death: tragic, unjust and avoidable
In March Stoke Newington resident and LCC member Heather Rainbow was killed in a collision in East Road. Here Penny Waterhouse shares her feelings on the loss of a friend.
Heather was an experienced rider; a glowing healthy person. She was the only person I know who had a service record for her bike.
We are told that Heather died almost instantly - slim reassurance. East Road is one-way, associated with fast driving and frequent accidents. It appears, though, that Heather and the van that hit her were travelling at very slow speeds when they collided. Heather’s bike was sound and neither she, nor her bike, contributed to the collision. The van, on the other hand, did not have effective wing mirrors and this is likely to have contributed to her death.
The van driver worked for a large security firm. Would it have been so difficult for them to make sure that his vehicle was sound, despite the law that says that it is the driver’s personal responsibility? He is likely to have points attached to his driving licence as a result of Heather’s death. I wonder if he will feel that this is an appropriate measure of his accountability?
Legal action against this firm for their possible negligence would only allow compensation to be paid to someone who was married to the victim. Heather, like many of us, chose not to seek the State’s blessing for her relationships, so no accountability here.
Heather would not be surprised at any of this. She had spent much of her work and leisure time trying to right injustice and make the world a better place. She knew about the wicked world and how unfair things can be. But in line with what she did for and with others, she would want us to do what we can to make sure that fewer people experience such avoidable loss of life and the sadness for those remaining. And she would certainly be making encouraging noises now, as I struggle to regain my own confidence to get back on my bike.
Stoke Newington South mobilises on CPZ
The Stoke Newington Controlled Parking Zone is not as unpopular as you might have heard. Consultation responses revealed by Paul Douglass of Hackney’s Traffic and Transportation Section show over 50% in favour in most streets in the Stoke Newington ladder and in the southern half of the zone.
A well-attended public meeting in St Mathias Church Hall overwhelmingly supported the CPZ in southern Stokey. A unanimous show of hands favoured local road closures too. A report goes to the Neighbourhood Cttee on 1st June, recommending that Councillors move to second stage consultation at least in the southern half of the zone.
Ride for Homerton Youth Project
On 5th June, why not take a ride through the lanes of Essex & Herts in support of the Homerton Youth Project, which is facing heavy cuts in funding.
Start at Rickling Green approx 12 noon. Transport provided out of Homerton from the Wally Foster Centre Marsh Hill at 11am. (Free if you raise a minimum sponsorship of £20). Choose from 30, 36 or 42 mile routes. Full support for repairs and recovery en route. Refreshment points. Fully signed route. Each rider gets detailed map and directions.
To register, contact Ian Campbell ASAP - phone 0181-533 3129 (eves) / 0171-451 3348 (day), or email him.
Richmond Road against pavement parking
New proposals to prevent through motor traffic in the Middleton Road area would force all east-west traffic in the area to use Richmond Road, reports Sandy McCreery. Many people living in Richmond Road see this as unfair, and want measures to restrict motor traffic flow in their road too. A favoured idea is to put the parked cars back on the road. If you would like to see pavement parking removed - and motor traffic eased - on Richmond Road, please come to a meeting on Wednesday 9th June at 8pm in the upstairs meeting room in the Pub on the Park, London Fields, to discuss how this might be achieved.
Diary dates
Our two top events for Bike Week are both on Friday 18th June - Big Breakfast and Biking the Bounds. Details in the diary.
Also don’t miss our bike bonanza at Stoke Newington Church Street Festival on Sunday 13th June. As well as two Hackney LCC stalls, there will be two displays: of recumbents by Bikefix, and of family and accessible cycling possibilities by a Simon Bannister. Both in Summerhouse Road, N16. If you can spare a couple of hours to help out on a stall, please let Trevor know.
On Sunday 27th June there’s a family bike ride and bike decorating event in Stoke Newington, also as part of the festival. This event will run in partnership with local adventure playgrounds, who will provide the bike decoration bits, but decoratees and stewards are need. Email Simon Bannister if you can help, or if you’d just like to know where and when. Bring your children!
