Author Topic: Southend Cycle Town - part 2 (Read 243608 times)

AndyK · « **Reply #1125 on:** 01 July, 2012, 12:57:58 pm »

Quote from: Email to Cllr Cox

Dear Cllr Cox,

On Saturday June 30th, as it was a nice evening, I decided to go for a cycle ride along Southend seafront. On arriving at Marine Parade and Western Esplanade I found the pavement and designated cycle track full of parked cars. This is an issue which has been recurring for some weeks now and is gradually getting worse. Pavements are becoming unsafe for pedestrians, and the cycle track is impassable for cyclists forcing them either into the road among hundreds of 'boy racers', or onto the pavement putting pedestrians at risk.

Why is there no parking enforcement on the seafront in the evenings, especially at weekends? Why is there no policing? Particularly now as we are in the summer months and more people are out walking or cycling and generally trying to enjoy the seafront.

If this was a recognised and pre-arranged event why were there no stewards? Why were there no signs warning cyclists that the cycle track on Western Esplanade was closed? Why was the event not being properly policed?

Please see the two videos at the following links of some of the issues met by pedestrians and cyclists alike on Southend seafront on weekend evenings.

http://youtu.be/UM81di0u7DU

http://youtu.be/iMA8UwT9Jro

Surely the seafront promenades and the shared space should be equally accessible to all, at any time of day, and not just given over to boy-racers and car parking in the evenings, to the detriment of pedestrians and cyclists?

Regards,

CCd to all 51 councillors on Southend council.

Domestique · « **Reply #1126 on:** 01 July, 2012, 01:28:31 pm »

Good letter Andy. I haven't been along the seafront for ages, the last time it was the Casino and all the taxi's parked in the cycle lane. Hope you get a positive reply and some action taken. Its so wrong that at the weekend evenings the cycle lane becomes unusable.

AndyK · « **Reply #1127 on:** 01 July, 2012, 01:35:13 pm »

First response:

Quote from: Cllr Ayling (Independent)

Tony,

It does seem that Mr K*** does have some very valid point and deserves an answer. I see vans, cars and motor bikes parked willy nilly everywhere. I know it is "shared space" but all a bit ridiculous!

Brian

AndyK · « **Reply #1128 on:** 01 July, 2012, 04:11:07 pm »

Second response:

Quote from: Cllr Wexham (LibDem)

Dear Mr K***
Thank you for bringing this to our attention, I have reported the situation to the Department, Yours Peter Wexham.

delthebike · « **Reply #1129 on:** 01 July, 2012, 05:44:37 pm »

Quote from: AndyK on 01 July, 2012, 01:35:13 pm

First response:

Quote from: Cllr Ayling (Independent)
Tony,

It does seem that Mr K*** does have some very valid point and deserves an answer. I see vans, cars and motor bikes parked willy nilly everywhere. I know it is "shared space" but all a bit ridiculous!

The only shared space on the seafront is that short section of road, near the fountain, that has the balls on the sides. The cycle path is clearly marked and should only be for cycles!

I've been reporting badly parked vehicles near my place of residence for a couple of months, usually half on the road half on the footway. Dad was forced onto the road in his mobility cart/buggy and when he got home called the police using 101. We had a proper copper on the doorstep within the hour.

Unfortunately the proper copper didn't speak to Dad or me and was sent to the wrong place where there were no fud parkers.

Domestique · « **Reply #1130 on:** 01 July, 2012, 05:57:06 pm »

I think Andy means shared as in shared use path rather than the road $:-\$

delthebike · « **Reply #1131 on:** 01 July, 2012, 06:05:06 pm »

Quote from: Domestique on 01 July, 2012, 05:57:06 pm

I think Andy means shared as in shared use path rather than the road $:-\$

And another thing! Does the shared path go behind the aquarium, to the front of the aquarium, or both? The signs don't seem to say.

Domestique · « **Reply #1132 on:** 01 July, 2012, 06:09:27 pm »

Behind afaik.

AndyK · « **Reply #1133 on:** 01 July, 2012, 06:23:39 pm »

More responses:

Quote from: Cllr Assenheim (Independent)

This is nothing new I complained about it from the start of the shared space. There was some control at the beginning, however this has gone by the wayside. It doesn’t only apply to the shared space it applies on the pavements outside most of the Pubs along the esplanade.

Mike

Mike Assenheim

Quote from: Cllr Aylen (Independent)

Sir
Thank you for your e mail and the attached films
Whilst I agree that the number of parked cars and locations is unacceptable I totally failed to see the 100s of boy racers in fact there are 3 parked on the sea side of the cycle path.
I did note that there were more predestrians in the way.
I a number of times made very clear at a number of meetings that there would be issues for cyclists and this you have pointed out.
To me this is were the camera car may be correctly used
It's a shame that when parking on pavements and grass verges was bought in it was not blanket across all Southend with exceptions were signed and not the way round it is today.

However I believe cllr Cox will investigate this as he is very proactive I also believe he is a cyclist himself.

Thanks
Cllr Steve Aylen

I have replied to him pointing out that in fact there were thirty-one vehicles parked in the cycle lane.

AndyK · « **Reply #1134 on:** 01 July, 2012, 06:41:08 pm »

Quote from: delthebike on 01 July, 2012, 06:05:06 pm

Quote from: Domestique on 01 July, 2012, 05:57:06 pm
I think Andy means shared as in shared use path rather than the road $:-\$
And another thing! Does the shared path go behind the aquarium, to the front of the aquarium, or both? The signs don't seem to say.

I asked a policeman and his reply was officially it's only the 'City Beach' section from the pier to the Sea Life Centre, but that unofficially it is the entire seafront from the corporation pier to The Pier. His view was that it would be pointless stopping people cycling when they got to the Sea Life Centre after cycling legally from the pier.

AndyK · « **Reply #1135 on:** 02 July, 2012, 09:45:47 am »

This morning:

Quote from: Cllr Cox (Conservative)

Dear Mr K***

Many thanks for your email. We do have enforcement until late into the evenings and on weekends. I have passed your email over to officers to look into and take action on the points that you have raised.

Kind Regards

Tony

And from the LibDem Leader

Quote from: Cllr Longley (LibDem)

Good morning Mr K***

Thank you for your e-mail. Your video clearly highlights a problem we have and which we need to deal with. Cycle ways/paths are clearly for cyclists NOT for motorists and it is inherent on the council to ensure they are used approriately.

The shared space area between the Pier and Kursaal (approx) is for pedestrian, cyclist and motorist to share as they move along from one end to the other, it is not for parking and I would be concerned if our officers were not fullfilling their obligations to keep it free. Any other parts of the Esplanade generally are not part of the shared space scheme and should be treated under the appropriate parking etc rules that apply at the time. As far as I am aware only taxis in the Westcliff Casino area have the ability to stop on the Esplanade for any time except for designated Taxi ranks.

I have forwarded your e-mail to senior officers for their response and will let you know the outcome as soon as they respond.

Cllr Graham Longley

clarion · « **Reply #1136 on:** 02 July, 2012, 10:12:14 am »

Tories not leaping up to respond, I note.

AndyK · « **Reply #1137 on:** 03 July, 2012, 12:29:07 pm »

One million pounds earmarked for talking about opening up the Cinder path to cyclists...

Wowbagger · « **Reply #1138 on:** 03 July, 2012, 05:53:11 pm »

Good letters, Andy.

However, I think that some of the responses are great candidates for grammar & spelling that make you cringe. I love the word "predestrian".

delthebike · « **Reply #1139 on:** 04 July, 2012, 10:47:17 am »

A big clean up has started for the 'lympic torch. Also the Western Esp. path will be closed, AFAICT, all day on the sixth.

Domestique · « **Reply #1140 on:** 20 August, 2012, 05:22:20 pm »

All a bit vague at the moment, but this sounds nasty. Pleased they have been arrested.

Quote

DETECTIVES have arrested three men after a cyclist suffered a fractured collar bone.

http://www.echo-news.co.uk/news/local_news/9883195.Cyclist_suffers_fractured_collarbone__Three_arrested/

delthebike · « **Reply #1141 on:** 24 August, 2012, 08:32:40 am »

Starting next month the cliff slip will be going through the process of being shored up and fortified for the new eyesore museum and vanity project. During the works
"An extra lane will be squeezed into the westbound carriageway to allow traffic to continue to travel in both directions."

http://www.echo-news.co.uk/news/9880244.__3_5m_seafront_cliffs_repair_work_to_start/?ref=mc

Be careful if you use the Western Esp. path, assuming it's still going to be in operation during this work.

AndyK · « **Reply #1142 on:** 24 August, 2012, 08:38:13 am »

Quote from: delthebike on 24 August, 2012, 08:32:40 am

Starting next month the cliff slip will be going through the process of being shored up and fortified for the new eyesore museum and vanity project. During the works
"An extra lane will be squeezed into the westbound carriageway to allow traffic to continue to travel in both directions."

http://www.echo-news.co.uk/news/9880244.__3_5m_seafront_cliffs_repair_work_to_start/?ref=mc

Be careful if you use the Western Esp. path, assuming it's still going to be in operation during this work.

Sounds like they'll suspend the car parking on that stretch. To be honest that'll make that part of the cycle path marginally safer.

delthebike · « **Reply #1143 on:** 26 August, 2012, 11:46:14 am »

http://www.echo-news.co.uk/news/local_news/9894494.Cyclist_injured_in_collision_with_car/

Why is this being handled by a rozzer in Laindon?

AndyK · « **Reply #1144 on:** 26 August, 2012, 11:59:04 am »

Yet another case of a cyclist colliding with a car.

AndyK · « **Reply #1145 on:** 26 August, 2012, 12:01:47 pm »

Quote from: delthebike on 26 August, 2012, 11:46:14 am

Why is this being handled by a rozzer in Laindon?

Probably because half of Southend's force are injured: http://www.echo-news.co.uk/news/local_news/southend/9894490.Police_officer_knocked_down_in_Southend/

AndyK · « **Reply #1146 on:** 08 September, 2012, 12:11:33 am »

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/bz6kP_uotF4&rel=1" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/v/bz6kP_uotF4&rel=1</a>

delthebike · « **Reply #1147 on:** 20 September, 2012, 02:50:17 pm »

Found on Eastern Esplanade this afternoon, just east of the old gas building.
No warnings or barriers in place.

Reported!

AndyK · « **Reply #1148 on:** 20 September, 2012, 02:51:32 pm »

Saw that yesterday, forgot to report it when I got home.

delthebike · « **Reply #1149 on:** 20 September, 2012, 03:40:14 pm »

Quote from: AndyK on 20 September, 2012, 02:51:32 pm

Saw that yesterday, forgot to report it when I got home.

Doh!

My email has allegedly been forwarded as a matter of urgency to officers for investigation.
Fillthathole has also reported that the hazard has been reported too.