Cyclists Touring Club
Right to Ride Network

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


Dear all,

Many of you will already have heard that Hitchin's Urban Transport
Plan is being re-written. The previous plan, written in 1998, was an
excellent plan but very little of it has been implemented. In
particular, the cycle network (which was the second most popular
measure) has received virtually no funding in the subsequent decade.

We would like to see the recommendations for the 1998 plan made a
reality rather than allowing the County Council wasting peoples' time
and energy on drawing up a new plan.

The consultants' brief for the new plan also contained disturbing
references to an A505 "corridor" study - a euphemism for a bypass.
Hitchin is not a town that needs or would benefit from a bypass. It
is not on a busy through route, there is little through traffic, and
virtually all traffic originates in Hitchin or one of the
neighbouring towns. In this sort of environment all a bypass will do
is generate more traffic (roads leading to Baldock saw increases in
traffic of 20-30% in the year following the bypass opening).

What can you do ?

There will be a workshop organised by the planning consultants on
Wednesday 11 February at Hitchin Town Hall from 9.45am to 2.30pm.
This will include a presentation by the consultants followed by group
discussions.

I will be attending on behalf of CTC. If you would like to attend,
register by contacting Sukhjeet.Moreno@... by Friday 23
January.

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