Author Topic: Southend Cycle Town - part 2  (Read 237509 times)

Wowbagger

  • Former Sylph
    • Stuff mostly about weather
Re: Southend Cycle Town - part 2
« Reply #450 on: 26 June, 2010, 11:31:50 am »
To the left is a gate which opens and it's possible to wheel a tandem through easily. PITA but no worse than many a Sustrans feature. When they built it there was a second fence which meant that it was impossible to get a horse through (on OS, that route is described as "Byway open to all traffic@) and horsey types take their steeds for a flounder in the water at high tide. Within a couple of days someone had been at it with a saw.
Quote from: Dez
It doesn’t matter where you start. Just start.

FatBloke

  • I come from a land up over!
Re: Southend Cycle Town - part 2
« Reply #451 on: 26 June, 2010, 05:19:10 pm »
Bet that'd be fun at twilight... :-\
There's a lot of fun to be had there at twilight. And after, if you know what I mean. Allegedly!!   :demon:
This isn't just a thousand to one shot. This is a professional blood sport. It can happen to you. And it can happen again.

Clandy

Re: Southend Cycle Town - part 2
« Reply #452 on: 28 June, 2010, 06:37:48 pm »
Our cycle cops have proved their worth (?). Shame they're not as hot on people parking in cycle lanes.

Police cycle team catch suspected burglar (From Echo)

Re: Southend Cycle Town - part 2
« Reply #453 on: 29 June, 2010, 12:29:21 am »
I'm not going to post much tonight about the meeting.  I did notice the new political approach, the person who might be on sales commission, and the way they're planning on taking the project forwards.   We'll wait and see what happens though.




Interestingly though, chatting to the various council staff, it would appear that I personally am the only person with issues regarding the  Western Esplanade scheme; everybody else in the world loves it.

I will go through my archives, but to make sure I don't miss anything would you mind posting (or PMing me)  links to sites other than this one where members of the public have raised concerns.  If you've got newspaper clippings or other published articles expressing concern then please PM me to let me know what and then if I haven't already got them then either scan them to my email address (acf at my website below) or let me know your address and I'll collect.

Annoyingly it would appear that my name is tarnished as the AUTHOR of clandy's youtube video.  They don't seem to believe that that "stage managed video" was filmed by a concerned member of the public, but was instead my personal attempt to "create significant adverse feeling amongst the public".

Clandy

Re: Southend Cycle Town - part 2
« Reply #454 on: 29 June, 2010, 07:31:18 am »
They know damn well you are not the author of that video. I emailed a link to it to Cllr Waite and Cllr Assenheim when I first made it. (on April 8th)

Re: Southend Cycle Town - part 2
« Reply #455 on: 29 June, 2010, 08:27:35 am »
I will go through my archives, but to make sure I don't miss anything would you mind posting (or PMing me)  links to sites other than this one where members of the public have raised concerns.
Isn't there a thread on CTC Forum and CycleChat about this path?

Wowbagger

  • Former Sylph
    • Stuff mostly about weather
Re: Southend Cycle Town - part 2
« Reply #456 on: 29 June, 2010, 08:29:33 am »
This is one occasion when the "Comments" section of the Echo might prove useful, if the comments are still there. ISTR that the cycle path was almost universally condemned.
Quote from: Dez
It doesn’t matter where you start. Just start.

Clandy

Re: Southend Cycle Town - part 2
« Reply #457 on: 29 June, 2010, 08:33:45 am »
I will go through my archives, but to make sure I don't miss anything would you mind posting (or PMing me)  links to sites other than this one where members of the public have raised concerns.
Isn't there a thread on CTC Forum and CycleChat about this path?

Yes, here:

CTC Forum • Information

Riggers

  • Mine's a pipe, er… pint!
Re: Southend Cycle Town - part 2
« Reply #458 on: 29 June, 2010, 08:34:48 am »
Our cycle cops have proved their worth (?). Shame they're not as hot on people parking in cycle lanes.

Police cycle team catch suspected burglar (From Echo)


1st Constable: "Right sonny, you're … (<puff> 'cor strewth), … you're under <wheeze>

2nd Constable: "A rest Steve, 'ave a rest"

1st Constable: "Oim tryin' to <pant> … make a bleedin' arrest!"
Certainly never seen cycling south of Sussex

Re: Southend Cycle Town - part 2
« Reply #459 on: 29 June, 2010, 08:36:19 am »
This is one occasion when the "Comments" section of the Echo might prove useful, if the comments are still there. ISTR that the cycle path was almost universally condemned.
I've only found the echo piece which has nutty in the picture and a car door opening onto the lane, 86 comments on that article. Clicky.


Regulator

  • That's Councillor Regulator to you...
Re: Southend Cycle Town - part 2
« Reply #461 on: 29 June, 2010, 09:38:17 am »
I'm not going to post much tonight about the meeting.  I did notice the new political approach, the person who might be on sales commission, and the way they're planning on taking the project forwards.   We'll wait and see what happens though.




Interestingly though, chatting to the various council staff, it would appear that I personally am the only person with issues regarding the  Western Esplanade scheme; everybody else in the world loves it.

I will go through my archives, but to make sure I don't miss anything would you mind posting (or PMing me)  links to sites other than this one where members of the public have raised concerns.  If you've got newspaper clippings or other published articles expressing concern then please PM me to let me know what and then if I haven't already got them then either scan them to my email address (acf at my website below) or let me know your address and I'll collect.

Annoyingly it would appear that my name is tarnished as the AUTHOR of clandy's youtube video.  They don't seem to believe that that "stage managed video" was filmed by a concerned member of the public, but was instead my personal attempt to "create significant adverse feeling amongst the public".

Might I suggest that you invite your local CTC Councillor to ride the path and then write to the Council?   ;)
Quote from: clarion
I completely agree with Reg.

Green Party Councillor

Andrij

  • Андрій
  • Ερασιτεχνικός μισάνθρωπος
Re: Southend Cycle Town - part 2
« Reply #462 on: 29 June, 2010, 09:51:15 am »
...

Interestingly though, chatting to the various council staff, it would appear that I personally am the only person with issues regarding the  Western Esplanade scheme; everybody else in the world loves it.

...

Annoyingly it would appear that my name is tarnished as the AUTHOR of clandy's youtube video.  They don't seem to believe that that "stage managed video" was filmed by a concerned member of the public, but was instead my personal attempt to "create significant adverse feeling amongst the public".

Next, they'll have you down as one of those tree-hugging Walkers who keep trying to stifle the development of Southend. ;)
 
;D  Andrij.  I pronounce you Complete and Utter GIT   :thumbsup:

Clandy

Re: Southend Cycle Town - part 2
« Reply #463 on: 29 June, 2010, 10:29:01 am »
...

Interestingly though, chatting to the various council staff, it would appear that I personally am the only person with issues regarding the  Western Esplanade scheme; everybody else in the world loves it.

...

Annoyingly it would appear that my name is tarnished as the AUTHOR of clandy's youtube video.  They don't seem to believe that that "stage managed video" was filmed by a concerned member of the public, but was instead my personal attempt to "create significant adverse feeling amongst the public".

one of those tree-hugging Walkers
 

Who?

Re: Southend Cycle Town - part 2
« Reply #464 on: 29 June, 2010, 10:53:52 am »
You have PM

Re: Southend Cycle Town - part 2
« Reply #465 on: 29 June, 2010, 03:02:22 pm »
This would seem to be the way to join the path at the Chalkwell end.


Big puddles!


Not every delivery driver parks on the path.  :thumbsup:


But some like to block the path and slip road.  :facepalm:


Just before the casino, heading east, I had a big Merc pull out of the slanted parking bay and put her nearside front wheel over the white line to get out of the space. ::-)

2_Flat_Erics

  • 2 Flat Eric's
Re: Southend Cycle Town - part 2
« Reply #466 on: 29 June, 2010, 03:06:05 pm »
I'm not going to post much tonight about the meeting.  I did notice the new political approach, the person who might be on sales commission, and the way they're planning on taking the project forwards.   We'll wait and see what happens though.

I was pleased to see the cycle police there and to have a chat with them although I think the younger one was falling asleep with boredom at one point. Talking to them I get the impression that they want to see more police on bikes in the town, which can only be good. They have already spoken to the Casino and Ocean beach about deliveries and taxis using the lane and will speak to the taxi association as well. Oh and if they see any prats RLJ'ing they have a quiet word in their shell-like.

I was slightly bemused by the "Bike Vault presentation". This was a presentation from a small startup company who want to sell a new style of bike locker. However they don't even have a mock up prototype yet, don't really know what their target market is and from the drawings it looks just as ugly as every other bike locker already on the market. Like nutty alluded to above, I detect a whiff of anonymous brown evelopes floating around.

I spoke to Neil Hoskins and another guy (i think he was from Atkins but i'm not 100% certain). I asked them about western esplanade and the distinct lack of dropped kerbs opposite the roads leading onto the seafront. The initial reaction was to tell me how they are liable for safety and can be prosecuted if a design they sign off on results in someone getting injured. More dropped kerbs means more places that vehicles can get onto the cyclepath and they don't want a repeat of the Quad bike incident. What about the dozen dropped kerbs for peds and busses etc? Well they have to provide sufficient access for the disabled or they would be in breach of discrimination law. If they don't want too many dropped kerbs then what about loosing one or two of the pedestrian drop kerbs and adding them opposite shorfield road etc so bikes can get onto the path in the middle not just at the ends? Well there are regular reviews and safety audits. So we may or may not see some dropped kerbs in the future. In the meantime if you want to get onto the path in the middle you are supposed to cycle to the nearest zebra crossing, dismount walk across and then remount on the path. It's great to live in a cycle friendly town.

Never argue with an idot....
They just bring you down to their level
then win on experience.

2 Flat Erics You Tube Channel

Clandy

Re: Southend Cycle Town - part 2
« Reply #467 on: 01 July, 2010, 09:32:45 am »
This happened last night. Other than bruises both riders were ok.

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/3I5efm4kP7o&rel=1" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/v/3I5efm4kP7o&rel=1</a>

Both were in the centre of the path, so I call it 50/50 as to blame, but I can't help wondering if the uncut shrubbery made some contribution. (yes they should have been more cautious approaching a blind corner).

Re: Southend Cycle Town - part 2
« Reply #468 on: 01 July, 2010, 10:26:22 am »
On page 2 of the Echo today a yellow tipper is pictured driving on the cycle path and reportedly forcing cyclists onto the road. Will probably go online later today/tomorrow.

Clearly there must be a break in the raised white line!  ::-)

Clandy

Re: Southend Cycle Town - part 2
« Reply #469 on: 01 July, 2010, 10:30:28 am »
Not only are they forcing cyclists into the road, they are destroying the cycle path surface. At least half a mile of it is now like riding on a washboard.

montysboy

Re: Southend Cycle Town - part 2
« Reply #470 on: 01 July, 2010, 10:34:07 am »
Not only are they forcing cyclists into the road, they are destroying the cycle path surface. At least half a mile of it is now like riding on a washboard.

This is exactly what I noticed a week or so ago http://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=31115.msg653387#msg653387


Cheers!

Re: Southend Cycle Town - part 2
« Reply #471 on: 01 July, 2010, 10:44:29 am »
This happened last night. Other than bruises both riders were ok.

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

Both were in the centre of the path, so I call it 50/50 as to blame, but I can't help wondering if the uncut shrubbery made some contribution. (yes they should have been more cautious approaching a blind corner).

That path used to be much more dangerous, with railings to catch the handlebars and pointed spikes to take out the eyes of the falling cyclist.  (captured on streetview).

I raised this a while ago at the cycle group and was told that it was already planned to take the railings out, which I understand has now been completed.

It was raised on Monday that now that the railings have been removed the vegetation is overhanging the path and needs pruning back.  This is a good example of why!    I might forward the url to the council.


I'm glad the riders are ok!

Clandy

Re: Southend Cycle Town - part 2
« Reply #472 on: 01 July, 2010, 10:48:38 am »
 This is a good example of why!    I might forward the url to the council.

It is currently uploading to the other Youtube account. Will be ready for you to forward in about 30 minutes.  ;)

Clandy

Re: Southend Cycle Town - part 2
« Reply #473 on: 01 July, 2010, 10:50:34 am »
Not only are they forcing cyclists into the road, they are destroying the cycle path surface. At least half a mile of it is now like riding on a washboard.

This is exactly what I noticed a week or so ago http://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=31115.msg653387#msg653387




Cheers!

I like your avatar, that'll be at the Chalkwell end of the cinder track then!

montysboy

Re: Southend Cycle Town - part 2
« Reply #474 on: 01 July, 2010, 10:58:21 am »
I like your avatar, that'll be at the Chalkwell end of the cinder track then!

Yes indeed, I have been wondering over the past few weeks if they are "official" council painted signs.  I know cycling is prohibited along there but did think it looked like the work of some local hero(es) trying to be clever.  I cannot believe the council would spend my council tax money on such shoddy work  ;)



Iain