An Alternative For Piccadilly

Last month we announced we’ve been working with the Civic Trust on some alternative proposals for Picadilly that do make space for cycling along its route, finding room for segregated paths whilst still providing wide paths, outdoor seating, drop off areas, and street greenery. Over August we spoke with a transport consultant who will be assessing our design to produce an independent report of how it compares to the government’s guidelines and the council’s proposed options.

Justice for Leeman Road Community

Earlier in the month City of York Council’s planning committee approved the National Railway Museum’s (NRM) proposed development across Leeman Road. This was despite strong opposition. It was a very close decision in the end and it only went through because the chair cast his deciding vote.

For anyone cycling between the Leeman Road area and the city centre their only route will be right around the museum – using a route that is double the distance, won’t necessarily be gritted in winter and will likely feel unsafe after dark. The only other alternative is the riverside path, but this is subject to flooding and does not feel safe at night. Once the central hall is open, we’ll be able to walk through the museum, but not if pushing a cycle, and only during opening hours (set by the NRM) and we’ll have to battle with hordes of visitors.

The cycle campaign has continuously objected to the proposed design from the outset and engaged with the council and museum to suggest how the building could be designed to incorporate a direct, safe and accessible pedestrian and cycle route 24/7, every day of the year.

Local citizens are not prepared to give up the fight either, and now a team of residents led by Paul Clarke, a resident of St Peter’s Quarter, are taking legal action.  Initially at least £5,000 needs to be raised to help cover the costs of the first stage. There will be a steady increase of legal costs as the process proceeds, with a need to raise further funds. The ability to proceed will depend on being able to raise enough funds. The team of residents have set up a crowdfunding page to receive donations. 

Full details can also be found on our blog post on the subject.

City Centre Bridges

A big thank you to everyone who responded to our email asking for thoughts on the council’s proposals to reduce the amount of close passes on the city centre bridges. We’ve had more responses to this than nearly any other consultation we’ve shared, so we know it’s an important subject to you. We’ve collated your responses into our own calling on the council to enact their proposals as a minimum, but to also consider further physical measures to make the bridges safer. We’ve also shared your responses with the Civic Trust who have put in their own response to the consultation asking for more action to be taken.

Reverse the Ban

We’re supporting the ‘Reverse the Ban’ campaign, to reinstate access to the city centre for Blue Badge holders. We have a bundle of postcards for people to sign to show their support and we’ll bring them along to forthcoming events and recruitment stalls. 

Coming Up This Month…

Brew York Social Ride

Sat 10th Sept- 6pm from the Minster

Riding out to the new Brew York in Osbaldwick. First drink free courtesy of Brew York, and bring along containers for take-outs if you’d like to take some beer home!

Kidical Mass

Sunday 25th September

Following the success of last year’s wonderful Kidical Mass ride we’re organising an even bigger and better Kidical Mass ride as part of York Environment Week 2022. The ride will finish at St Nick’s Autumn Fair.

If you would like to attend please sign up so we know numbers, and feel free to share with non-members.

There is still lots of planning to be done so if you are able to lend us a hand (to plan the route, be a steward, produce publicity etc) then please do get in touch yorkcyclecampaign@gmail.com

Rate Our Routes

Later this month we’ll be launching our Rate Our Routes exercise, inviting Campaign members to rate the quality of the routes around the city. More details to follow so keep an eye out in your inboxes. 

Also In The News..

Scarcroft Road

We gave our thoughts on proposals to reduce speeding and close passes on Scarcroft Road, alongside the park, after the council got in touch with us with their proposals for the area.

Bikes In Need

A new initiative has been launched to provide cycles to help refugees get around our city. If you have a spare cycle at home that could be donated, more details can be found on our website.

Barbican Road Upgrades

Earlier this year we asked members for their thoughts on upgrades to the junction of Barbican Road and Paragon Street. Works on the junction are now due to start tomorrow (Monday 5th September) and to last until 28th October so expect disruption if you cycle around the inner ring road.

We don’t know the final plans of the junction upgrade, or how much of our response was taken on, but you can read what we said on our website.

An Evening At The Velodrome

Sometimes in the Campaign it feels like we’re going around in circles. Fortunately, on Tuesday night that was the intention as we hit the ramps of the university’s velodrome. Its fair to say everyone had a great time and got to try out something completely new, and we’d like to extend a huge thanks to Andrew Jamieson for offering to organise it for us.

Parking For Tiers or Parking Tears?

A reminder that the rules for parking Tier hire bikes (not scooters) have changed to allow them to be parked in public cycle racks as well as the designated cycle hire parking zones. The idea is to increase the availability of the bikes across the city and no more than two bikes should be parked in a rack at once. Tier have asked if members can share their thoughts and experiences on this change with them by emailing yorksupport@tier.app.

Seventies Throwback

Heatwaves, energy crises, and rampant inflation – some things have a habit of coming back around. Unfortunately calls for better cycling infrastructure in York are one of them as this York Press article reminds us.