Mind the Gaps

A4 Bath Road, Newbury

The Council has recently set up a working group to look at where and how facilities for cyclists can be improved, and we are delighted to report that Spokes has a seat at the table.  This is a fantastic opportunity for us to influence how and where the Council spends their future highways budgets and to make sure that cycling is properly represented in their programmes.

We need your help to identify the gaps in provision for cycling and what new or improved facilities you would like to see, such as:

  • cycle parking
  • cycle routes
  • junction treatments
  • priority over side roads
  • parking restrictions
  • traffic management schemes
  • speed limits
  • surfacing improvements
  • signing and lining enhancements
  • lighting upgrades

We would like to hear from people living and cycling in all parts of West Berkshire from Hungerford to Calcot, Streatley to Brimpton Common, and everywhere in between. The focus will mostly be on encouraging cycling for everyday transport (e.g. journeys to work, school or the shops). However, we are also keen to hear about your suggestions for new or improved facilities for leisure and sports cycling.

You can share your ideas by emailing highways@westberkshirespokes.org or by contacting us via the website.

Space for Cycling

You may have seen some publicity in the media around the Space for Cycling campaign. This is a joint call to action launched by independent local and regional cycling groups across the UK following a very successful launch by London Cycle Campaign in 2013.

Space for Cycling has a Steering Group formed by the major national cycling organisations and city campaigning groups who have already made a start on their campaigns for elections that are taking place in May 2014.

While West Berkshire Council doesn’t have any elections this year, it is clear that cycling has fallen a long way down the local list of political priorities. The Get Britiain Cycling Report, published last year, recommended a spend of £10 per head on new cycling infrastructure rising to £20 as cycling increases. This is the MINIMUM spend that is required if we are to make cycling mainstream.

If you strip out maintenance dressed up as bridleway improvement schemes, West Berkshire Council is planning to spend just £0.65 per person on cycling facilities this year. This isn’t good enough, so Spokes is encouraging you to go to the Space4Cycling website pledge your support and email your local councillors to ask them to make Space for Cycling. Together we can make a difference!