In the week since I initially wrote to Cheshire Council, and invited you to do the same, I have been made aware of interesting research done by the Warrington Cycle Campaign (http://www.warringtoncyclecampaign.co.uk/) into the effectiveness of cycle lanes. To say I was surprised is putting it mildly!

The attached document shows that, if a rider is riding in their own, clearly marked cycle lane, then a car (or lorry) driver is much LESS likely to adjust his driving line to overtake than if the two are sharing the same portion of the carriageway. Therefore, for a cycle lane to be safe, it needs to be no less than TWO METRES in width. We consider it highly unlikely that the A540 could support a cycle lane two metres wide.

Elsewhere on the Warrington Cycle Campaign site they state the benefits of an oversize inside lane (4.25m wide) for dual carriageways, at the expense of the outside lane. This wide lane should allow the car driver to pass riders safely without moving out of his lane (which they often seem unwilling to do).

With these points in mind, I am informing you that the North End has amended its proposals to Cheshire Council to the following:

1. Make an immediate reduction from 60 to 40 mph on the dual carriageway sections of the A540 from Neston to Two Mills, with a view to protecting slow speed road users, protecting traffic crossing the A540, and reducing the danger of glare from the winter sun rising in the South East.
2. Declare the A540 from Heswall to Two Mills as a Cycle Route, with a view to warning motorists of its usage by cyclists as a primary artery to the cycle routes in Cheshire and North Wales. We would like to see it called “The Mel Vasey Way”.
3. Incorporate a 4.25m width inside lane wherever possible, reducing the existing outside lane to suit, and erect the appropriate triangular cycle route warning signs every kilometre, with a view to impressing on motorists that they are sharing the carriageway.
4. At the junction of the A540 and A550 incorporate advance stop lines for cyclists on all four approaches, with a view to raising the awareness of motorists to the presence of cyclists, as well as facilitating cyclists making right turns.

In the wake of Mel Vasey’s death, and the spotlight of publicity that has been shone our way at this tragic time, the Birkenhead North End wants to try and persuade Cheshire County Council to improve the conditions for cyclists using the A540 (the “Chester High Road”) between Neston and Two Mills.

We are requesting that they introduce a proper cycle lane (i.e. on the road not the footpath; and continuous along the carriageway not stopping and starting every time there’s a junction) along the dual carriageway section of the A540. And we are also asking that the speed limit be lowered from its current ‘national’ (i.e. 60mph) limit to 40mph.

Having spoken to officials in Cheshire County Council, I have written them a letter outlining our request, and I am inviting you – as local clubs whose members also use this road – to join us by writing your own letter. This should not be ‘our’ campaign: it should be a campaign from all the cyclists in our area.

Send your letter to: Charles Lloyd, Locality Manager, Cheshire County Council, Backford Hall, Chester, Cheshire CH1 6EA

In addition, we are asking local cyclists to contact their MP to ask him or her to lobby on our behalf.

I am maintaining a page on the BNE website that details our proposal and has the email addresses of local MP’s. You and your members can view it at http://www.bnecc.co.uk/jointhecampaign.htm.

May I also take the opportunity to thank you for your support over the past fortnight