Eagle Quarter Planning Application

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The latest planning application for the Eagle Quarter sets out ambitious plans for the redevelopment of the Kennet Centre. Spokes has reviewed the application to see what provision will be made for cyclists and have submitted comments accordingly.

While cycle parking is proposed within the site for use by residents, we have highlighted issues with some of the proposed locations where cyclists would have to ride through the undercroft car park, or through the pedestrianised area within the site to access them. Also, we have raised concerns about the number of doors that cyclists would have to negotiate to access some of the cycle parking areas.

We were disappointed that the transport assessment appeared to assume that there was sufficient on-street cycle parking around the site, without having done a cycle parking audit, so we have asked that this be addressed. There were also a few inconsistencies in the way that the transport assessment considered access by bike to a range of local facilities, which we have also highlighted.

The proposed development would make some significant changes to the road layout, with Northbrook Street becoming two-way between Market Street and the new car park access. Although it is technically not legal for cyclists to travel south between Bridge Street and Market Street, many cyclists do this when the pedestrian and cycle zone is in force between 10am and 5pm. The proposed change would help to improve cycle permeability through the town centre and we have indicated our support for this.

The proposed travel plan for the site is fairly basic and uninspiring, and we have made some suggestions for improvements. However, there is provision for a cycle workshop within the site, which we support.

Further information on the Eagle Quarter proposals can be found here: https://www.eaglequarter.com/

If you would like to view / comment on the planning application, you can do so here:
http://planning.westberks.gov.uk/rpp/index.asp?caseref=23/02094/FULMAJ

The planning application is likely to be considered by the Council’s Western Area Planning Committee early in the New Year.

Spokes’ Strategy Workshop

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The Spokes strategic workshop held on Saturday 28th October at Newbury Canoe Club (thanks Ed) was well attended by most of the committee as well as non-committee members. That allowed for a wider set of thoughts, views and ideas, making the workshop all that more valuable. A big thank you to all the attendees and I hope you all thought your time was well used.

Since Spokes formed in 2002, there have been various internal changes to the voluntary group. Spokes has grown to almost 170 members, but as various committee members have come and gone, capacity to be able to contribute has ebbed and flowed. There have also been changes outside of Spokes – for example changes to other local cycling related organisations and overlaps with what WBS does.

Hence it was time for a re-group and to look how we can focus our mission which could be crudely put as “getting more bums on bikes” by playing to our unique strengths and looking to partner where we need help to achieve our objectives. In fact, we even questioned our official mission statement but found it to still fit our general ethos, albeit with a few minor suggestions for improvement.

The day began with a general introduction followed by a review of our current status, the mission, what our successes have been over the years and which of those are recent, a summary of what other local groups do, and some thoughts of successes of other similar groups.

Next, we split into groups and then came together to perform a SWOT analysis, so looking at our Strengths and Weaknesses, and the Opportunities and Threats that may help or hinder Spokes in fulfilling its mission.

After the coffee break, we then looked at what activities we should continue to do, ones that we needed to start (or re-start) and any that we should actually stop doing.

Most of the things we do today, we decided to continue with, such as:

  • Cycle counts (and thanks to all those that help with these)
  • Social Bike Rides (but with additional support for those new to cycling, e.g. ‘Couch to 50k’)
  • Attendance at the Cycle Forum (one of the reasons WBS was formed)
  • Campaigning on cycling issues
  • Responding to consultations
  • Progression of the Hermitage to Hamsptead Norreys Cycle Route towards Newbury

And some of the things we need to start (re-start or get much better at):

  • Communications and publicity
  • Commenting on major planning applications
  • Developing a Cycling Charter (taking inspiration from Winchester)
  • Address demographic issues (we are pretty much the “grey” haired folks at the workshop)
  • Assist with clearing overgrown vegetation onto cycle routes

In terms of things we should stop doing, the consensus was that it should be more a pause. Except for the cycle counts, we will tend to focus on the western part of West Berkshire. However, once we have started what we need to, and hopefully have a few more active members, we will cover West Berkshire more fully.

If anything piques your interest, or you would like to help with something, then please reach out to us at: info@westberkshirespokes.org, or pop along to our monthly meeting, on the first Wednesday of each month (please see the calendar).

Full minutes of the workshop can be found here.

Rights of Way Improvement Plan

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West Berkshire Council is currently consulting on its Public Rights of Way Improvement Plan (ROWIP). This sets out the council’s strategic goals and priorities for public rights of way in the district.

It is based on a full assessment of the needs of the public in using public rights of way, now and in the future, and sets out a statement of action. The ROWIP has been informed by extensive engagement with stakeholders and the public, with a full consultation and call for evidence back in 2021. The Rights of Way Team has also undertaken a thorough review of evidence.

Spokes has responded to the consultation. Some of the key points that we highlighted were:

  • Ideally, conditions surveys should be undertaken more frequently than once every 10 years, with high priority routes prioritised for more frequent surveys.
  • The Kennet and Avon Canal towpath is in a very poor condition due to a lack of maintenance by the Canal and River Trust, and the situation is likely to deteriorate further due to significant cuts in government grant funding from 2027. A massive investment programme is needed, to bring this up to scratch and this should be recognised in the ROWIP.
  • The extension of the Eling Way to Newbury should be a top priority in the ROWIP’s action plan.
  • The ROWIP should recognise the benefits of long-distance cycling routes such as Eurovelo 2, National Cycle Network Routes and the King Alfred Way, which pass through the district.
  • There are already a number of disparate groups who undertaken maintenance activities on public rights of way (particularly the towpath), but there is no coordination of these groups, which is inefficient. This may be an area for the Council to explore.

The public consultation on the draft ROWIP runs until 26 November and can be found here:
https://www.westberks.gov.uk/draftrowip

Annual General Meeting 2023

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In accordance with our constitution, the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of West Berkshire Spokes will take place at 3pm on Saturday 10 June 2021 at the Waterside Centre, Waldegrave Place, Northbrook St, Newbury RG14 1DS.

All SPOKES members are very welcome to attend the AGM. There will be refreshments for members to buy if they wish courtesy of Colline’s Kitchen.  

Below are links to the AGM papers:

If you have any items that you wish to add to the agenda, then please get in touch by emailing info@westberkshirespokes.org by midnight on Friday 2 June. The final agenda will be provided at the AGM itself.

All committee posts are up for re-election and there are several vacancies due to people stepping down. If you have any nominations for any of the posts, then please notify the Committee by emailing info@westberkshirespokes.org by midnight on Friday 2 June.

If anyone wants an informal chat in advance of the AGM, then feel free to get in touch with any of the committee. E-mail contacts can be found on our website at: https://www.westberkshirespokes.org/about-us/committee/

Spokes @ GreenFest 2022 Report

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On the Spokes stall back in GreenFest 2019, questions and comments were dominated by the relatively newly opened Hermitage to Hampstead Norreys traffic free shared used path. At this 2022 year’s event, the path – and its potential extensions North and South – were still a talking point. But there was was a broader set of talking points too.

With environmentally related groups attending the event from Pangbourne, Mortimer and Burghfield – we had various comments on cycling and cyclist needs in those areas of West Berkshire. Cycling facilities along the A4, particularly with the recent changes between Waitrose and Brummel Road, was also a hot topic. Fortunately, with an almost encyclopaedic knowledge, Clive and Gordon were on hand to answer and respond to the stall’s visitors.

Noticeably, many people spoke about their new electric bikes which have brought a new lease of life! However, for some there is a concern of where to securely park their bike. Whilst Spokes encourages, or through planning applications will comment on, cycling parking facilities – it is not always possible to place them immediately outside an office, shop, etc. However, various people did say they don’t mind walking from and to a more secure cycling facility (e.g. a cycling hub). What are your thoughts? Would you use a cycling hub in your local town’s centre?

Another common comment was that people thought they are “cheating” with their electric bike – particularly on rides. For Spokes, we have had a some riders on electric bikes for about five years now. Anything that gets you out, meeting others and is an alternative to a less environmentally form of transport is definitely not cheating – surely desirable!

In the space of less than 30 minutes, two people talked about their experiences of using tricycles to assist with a poor sense of balance. One in particular is looking for a compact folding tricycle, do you know of one? And talking of folding, I had the good fortune to talk to one of the original founders and investors of Brompton. He put in £100 in the mid-seventies to help kick off a fantastic business and one that is responsible for “the” design for a folding bike, not a bike that folds. I thought my purchase of a Brompton in 1995 with a number in the 5000’s was impressive, this person’s Brompton’s was numbered 20!

We gave a way a number of old logo tabards – they weren’t making anyone more seen when in my shed. Although I felt sorry for the family of four when there was only two left of the child sizes. Still they did all get a free bell!

Many people took away the very popular free local cycling maps and routes, M-check sheets (check online if you don’t know what this is) and the odd tip to help them enjoy cycling more.

Big thanks to Gordon and Josh for a very early start, the extended help from Clive, and Ed for general help on the stall and transporting all the gear back. William