Cyclists Touring Club

Right to Ride Network

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

an update from  the Campaign page.... 

Hitchin Station Forecourt Update 7 July 2008 

On Thursday morning we met with representatives of the County Council (HCC) and the rail operator, First Capital Connect (FCC) at Hitchin station. Dave Holladay, CTC’s public transport advisor, made the trip all the way down from Glasgow to be there. Susan Dye, a member of Hitchin Cycling group was also present, representing the Residents Association.

In most respects it was a very positive meeting. Larry Heyman from FCC was very keen to come to a solution that would ensure that all users felt happy. FCC have been working hard on improving cycle access and parking on the Thameslink line at Bedford and St Albans, and have seen that investment rewarded by increases in passenger numbers.

Alissa Ede, from HCC’s passenger transport unit (PTU) also came across as refreshingly open minded. Alissa is Dutch, and is new to the post so hopefully will bring a rather more people focused approach to her department. PTU are the “client” on this project so Alissa is a key player.

The villain of the piece was, rather predictably, the representative from Herts Highways. Negative, obstructive, unhelpful, closed minded, unimaginative – Neil Reardon epitomized everything that we have grown to know and “love” in our Highway Engineers. He had clearly only come to justify his very unsatisfactory design and was not willing to contemplate improvements.

Where do we go from here ?

Everybody is keen to resolve this quickly as there is £100,000 of DfT grant on the table that will be lost if not spent soon. That is good and bad. Good in that it will encourage the designers to make concessions, bad in that they are unlikely to do anything radical.

What can you do ?

Write to your MP (feedback@...) and councilors, asking them to intervene and ensure that the:

1.      Cycling and walking are given the highest priority, and the forecourt is designed around these two modes FIRST. Cycling and walking are, after all, the only two modes that have no adverse impact on traffic and the environment in the town.

2.      Cycling is not marginalized by putting cyclists on the pavement.

3.      Cyclists are given a safe and convenient route to and from the cycle parking and the station building.

HCC invests in creating safe, attractive cycle routes to and from the station, as was outlined in the Hitchin Transport Plan 10 years ago.

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 Stevenage and North Herts.