Cyclists Touring Club

Right to Ride Network

www.ctc.org.uk         www.northhertsctc.org.uk

Dear all,

As you may know Herts County Council (HCC) are in the process of writing a new transport plan for Hitchin. Unfortunately it has not really occurred to them that they should, perhaps, implement the previous (1998) plan first.

The 1998 plan was really a very good plan, with lots of positive proposals for improving walking and cycling links in the town, together with traffic calming and better bus and train information. Sadly, there has been little appetite in County Hall to make any of it a reality. In fact, with the exception of (part) pedestrianising the Market square and High Street, I don’t believe that ANY of the cycling and walking schemes have been implemented.

WHERE WE NEED YOUR HELP is to go through the list of schemes that should have been implemented under the 1998 plan and confirm which HAVE and which HAVE NOT been implemented.

I am attaching a schedule of schemes, in both Excel and PDF format so you can read whichever is easier. Could people look through the list and let me know if any of the “Progress” columns are WRONG. If I have noted it as “No information” and you know that it has been implemented, or know that it has not, please could you let me know.

Under “Traffic calming”, I would like to know if any of the schemes listed have made conditions WORSE for cycling. Examples would include loss of priority, introduction of central islands or other “squeeze” points, introduction of one way streets without contraflow cycling or road closures without cycle gaps.

I hope that the schedule is not too confusing. Contact me if there is anything that you are unsure of.

If anybody wants to do more, we have set up an action group for the Transport Plan, made up of representatives of CTC, Hitchin forum, Triangle Residents, Friends of the Earth and Green Party. Anybody who would like to contribute is welcome, although the intention for the moment is to keep it fairly small and focussed.  If not, you will be kept up to date through the usual channels.

Thank you all in advance

Regards

Alasdair Massie 
CTC Right to Ride Representative, North Herts

CTC is Britain’s largest cycling organisation with 70,000 members. Formed in 1878 we have actively campaigned for better, safer roads, locally and nationally since our inception.

We have a large and active section for Stevenage and North Herts.

Don’t forget, you can keep up to date with all our local campaign news as well as rides and socials by visiting our website at www.northhertsctc.org.uk . For national campaigning news, events, advice, CTC shop and details of member benefits visit www.ctc.org.uk