All 2003 Articles

Newbury cyclists marked the fifth annniversary of the pedestrianisation of the town centre on Friday with a slow mass ride through the streets crowded with shoopers.

They were portesting at the proposed banning of cycling in areas where cars are already banned.

Tony Vickers, chairman of West Berkshire SPOKES, said: "We don't object to cyclists and pedestrians being segregated.

"But unless and until there is a safe, convenient alternative route through the town centre for cyclists, a ban can not work.

"A few irresponsible cyclists will ignore it and the vast majority, including school children, will be forced onto busy dangerous roads. Many will take to their cars and add to the congestion we're all trying to reduce."

The official reportig of Alan standing down from the Council. He also needed to resign as Membership Secretary for Spokes.

[Extracts from letter by Pat Tanner]

Why is there a contradictory official blue sign positioned at the eastern end of Kings Road (west), stating 'End of Cycle Route'. Immediately in from of the said sign, are white cycle symbols painted on the footway crossing the smart new 'piazza'.

These lead directly to user controlled traffic lights (showing the green cycle symbol) enabling cyclists - and pedstrians - to cross the A339 internal north-south releif road in safety.

Further sets of signals lead one either to Kings Road (east) and Sainsbury's superstore or across Mill Lane onto the cycle route/footpath running up the eastern side of the A339 to Robin Hood roundabout.

The views above do not necessarily reflect those of Spokes.

A Survey of the local towpath by local cyclists will take place this weekend.

On Sunday, cycling activists West Berkshire Spokes are investigating the state of the cycle path network running from Hungerford to Theale.

Oragniser William Pitt said: "The ride is partly to publicise the fact that a license is no longer needed to ride a bike along the Kennet and Avon towpath, thanks to councils all along the canal having paid on behalf of residents."

The investment in the £250,000 Lower Way cycle path appears to be paying off as more cyclists are now using it.

The cost of the work was funded by a grant from the cycling charity Sustrans an donations from various developers, in return for the right to build houses in the town.

District councillor Jeff Brooks (Lib Dem, Thatcham West) said "I was always in favour of the cycle path being built, and I am glad to see that it has finally been finished. I live along Lower Way and it has been noticeable over the last month that a lot more cyclists are using the path."

The eastern stretch of the cycle way was completed in January 2002, but it was dug up twp months later as gas supply firm Transco installed a new pipeline, and was reinstated five months later.

[Extracts from letter by William Pitt]

As recent stall organiser and attendee, I would like to respond to John S Lloyds' letter (from NWN 17th July) I would like to make four points.

Firstly, British Waterways has relinquished the need for cyclists to buy or acquire a permit to cycle along the towpath. This is because West Berkshire Council makes an annual payment to British Waterways for the upkeep of the canal and towpath. All the Councils in which the Kennet and Avon canal runs make similar payments. British Waterways wishes to make the canal and its towpath accessible to all.

Secondly, miss-information is a continuing problem across many areas. We (West Berkshire Spokes) do not wish to miss-inform people and thank Mr Lloyd for pointing this out to us. Hence, this letter to state the current situation.

Thirdly, we feel honoured to be allowed to set-up a stall at the farmers Market. This is a great regular event for local buyers and sellers. And would not wish to taint the reputation it has.

Finally, what do we farm? Well, I hope a crop of locally bred, responsible, socially conscious and well-informed cyclists. And I hope that crop is large.

[Extracts from letter by Tony Vickers]

A menace is defined in my dictionary asa threat or danger. Mr Rowe doesn't make it clear who is threatened by bikes.

There are almost no cases of pedestrians let alone motorists being killed or seriously injured by bikes. On the other hand, danger 'to' cyclists from motor vehicles is clear, especially when there is little provision for bikes in our pathetic transport system.

NWN's Steve Murphy rode from Hungerford to Newbury on a borrowed bike - unfortunately not a complete convert gave some excellent press coverage (almost a whole page!). Included was an excellent quote from James Cullen: "I can't really expect my parents to take me in the car the whole time. I quite enjoy it - it keeps me fit, and it gets cars off the road, which is good for the enviornment."

Gabrielle Collie, aged 10, received her prize from the president of the newly formed cycling group David Rendel MP and chairman Tony Vickers. Runners up Christopher Palmer, aged 12, and James Snelling, aged 9, were also presented with new helmets for their designs.

[Extracts from letter by Don Carter]

[Re: Vision for Newbury] Northbrook Streetis the only half-safe north-south route. There is no safe east-west route for cyclists or pedestrians. I'll cycle in an orderly way in Northbrook Street until I have an alternative, not just a white line on the old bypass.

Nobody stops the boy racers in the Wharf, or the aggressive cyclist on the pavement. And nobody stops cars blocking pavements. Instead of making blanket regualtions.... we should have the courage to distringuish between orderly and disordely behaviour.

The views above do not necessarily reflect those of Spokes.

[Extracts from letter by J Durber]

I guess compared to Denmark and Holland where reportedly there are cycle traffic jams, the usage of the Lower Way path can be described as 'dead', but I think it is used quite extensiely even on the frosty morning where there had been a dusting of snow.

I must say, though, I am not surprised that some cyclsits prefer to ride on the road, with the path being covered in stones from the road that is breaking up and glass from the revelry of the weekend, which is not going to improve as it is only due for sweeping every three months.

Overall I think the path is enjoyed by many. The council should be encouraged to build more, especially in the main industrial centres of the area, Hambridge Land and Colthrop.

The views above do not necessarily reflect those of Spokes.

Work has begun on a crossing to take pedestrians and cyclists across the busy A339 for access to Sainsabury's supermarket on King's Road.

TThe crossing has been paid for by Sainsbury's sa part of a package of promises made in 1998, when permission for the supermarket to expand its floor space at the King's Road site.

The council's executive member for the environment and sustainability, Dr Royce Longton said the crossing would allow pedestrians and cyclists who did not want to use the existing subway the chance to travel "in harmony" with motorists.

The NWN kindly carried our competition to find a logo for West Berkshire Spokes. The winner was to receive a bike wirth £193, and there were two runner up prizes on offer. The competition was open to anyone under thae age of 18.