Dear all,

The Paynes Park gyratory debacle is rumbling slowly to a rather unsatisfactory conclusion. It is not all bad news however. On a positive note, the criticism that we have heaped onto HCC for their failure to take on board the recommendations of the 1998 and 1999 plans, or our own recommendations, or the requirements of national guidance, has prompted HCC to pass “cycling provision” to the scrutiny committee. I have been advised that this will not take place until the autumn and will take the form of county wide scrutiny rather than anything specific for North Herts.

As far as Paynes Park gyratory goes, I think that it is fair to say that HCC have paid absolutely NO attention to any of our comments. They continue to claim that they cannot do so because of the need to provide for elderly and disabled people in the area. Frankly I am lost for words. The suggestion that  the Paynes Park gyratory is anything other than a serious barrier to elderly or disabled pedestrians is laughable. It is even more laughable to suggest that the needs of those vulnerable users (low traffic volume and speed) conflict with the needs of cyclists  (low traffic volume and speed) or that the solution for one (restore the gyratory to two way flow, removing most of the traffic from Bedford Rd and Paynes Park) is any different to the solution for the other.

Frankly I am appalled by the lazy way that HCC have gone about this project. What appals me most however is the thoroughly cynical and dishonest way in which officers have tried to mislead councillors about their motives. Please take a little time to quiz your councillor about why this is being allowed to happen and why they are not questioning it.

You can read all of the relevant correspondence in the File space of the Cycle Hitchin e-group at http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/Cycle_Hitchin/files/PaynesPkBedford%20RoadGyratory/

I will write one last letter to HCC challenging their ridiculous claims but then must put an end to this rather unproductive dialogue.

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.

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.