Dear all,

We received the following from Rob Smith, Assistant Director Transport Management at Herts Highways:

“I am aware of this recent exchange between you and my colleague, Roxanne Glaud and it is clear that you disagree with the approach Herts County Council are taking on the current combined maintenance and improvement scheme on Old Park Road and Paynes Park in Hitchin

However, this scheme has been developed following consultation with local representatives and, in light of all the various pressures and demands on this part of the highway network, it has been decided that this is the appropriate design to be implemented. We remain committed to delivering this scheme and will be continuing to do so.

We will monitor its effectiveness following its implementation

There will continue to be opportunities to develop the highway network in the area as various developments take place in and around the town and we will always look to see how cycling can be incorporated in to any schemes but, as is often the case, there will frequently have to be compromises.”

Roughly translated this says “We are ignoring your views and going ahead regardless. We have no plans to implement any other cycling improvements unless the opportunity drops into our lap.” Given that just such an opportunity has just fallen into HH’s lap at Paynes Park and they completely ignored it I think that we can safely conclude that Herts Highways have NO intention of trying to improve conditions for cycling in Hitchin EVER. That is, of course despite the strong mandate to do so both locally (2^nd most popular measure in the 1998 Hitchin Transport Plan) and nationally (support rates of 69% to 85% for greater priority for cycling).

So, in spite of all the work put in 10 years ago it is clear that nothing is going to happen unless people make it happen. Now is a very good time to make noise, while the Hitchin Transport Plan is being reviewed. Herts Highways would love to sweep the whole issue of cycling provision under the carpet, we need to make sure that they cannot do so.

Please take a little time to contact your councillors (district and county) and your MP (Peter Lilley), and let them know your views. Remember, if people don’t then nothing positive will ever happen.

We have written back to Mr Smith. Our letter can be found on the Cycling Hitchin file space here or on the Hitchin Transport Plan file space here. If you are not on either of these groups a copy should also be available on the CTC North Herts campaign page shortly.

We have called for HCC to stop making excuses, to pull together all of the various stakeholders, to draw up an implementation plan for the cycling network, and to build it. This is what we have said:

Regards
 
 
 
Alasdair DV Massie CEng MIStructE

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 North Herts and Stevenage.