Our quarterly newsletter is the best way to keep up to date with PushBikes' campaigns - previous issues here
Consultation: Icknield Port Loop regeneration
The project covers 65 acres a mile from the city centre. The proposals include between 3,000 and 4,000 homes and a million square feet of commercial space.
PushBikes has submitted comments on the planning application, contacted the Ladywood councillors & particpated in the consulation meeting in January.
Hooray: Edgbaston Tunnel Towpath Fixed
At last the soft rough surface has been replaced with a solid long wearing surface. Great news, thanks British Waterways - details
Members Ask
Members can contact PushBikes in a variety of ways. The following queries were emailed recently
Cars parked on cycle lane on Chester Road
AB emailed: Is it possible to get something done about the cars parked all over Chester Road's cycle lane, particularly between Eachelhurst Road and Orphanage Road? Who do I need to contact about this?
MG replied: Thanks for contacting PushBikes. I used to live opposite the Yenton Primary School and so have experienced the problems with parked vehicles on the cycle track.
When a signalised crossing was installed at the school I asked the City Council to install some bollards at strategic locations to stop vehicles entering but still allow sufficient width for cyclists to pass safely. This they duly did but it only covered a short section of track.
Since April Birmingham City Council are responsible for enforcement of parking regulations, which should include parking on footways, cycle tracks and cycle lanes.
They can be contacted as follows:
- by phone 0121 303 7617
- by fax 0121 464 4469
- by email parking@birmingham.gov.uk
- by letter Parking Section, Highways, PO Box 37, 1 Lancaster Circus, Birmingham B4 7DQ
Access to towpaths, cycle ramps
AA emailed: I find it very difficult carrying my bike up or down steep steps onto canal tow paths (e.g. by university station) and would like to put in a plea for cycle ramps at all access points on to the canals.
PushBikes has and will continue to raise this issue with British Waterways.
The stairs at the university are quite narrow, but it should be possible to put a flat grooved track on one side of the stairs so you can wheel a bike up and down. Would still be quite a push!
Hagley Road
Lots on research and consultation but no real progress to report.
Actually, it's got worse! The building works at the Five Ways end of Calthorpe Rd have narrowed the road so much that there's no room to pass a bike on this very busy section of the road. The pathway also has a blind turn at the end so is dangerous as well as illegal.
The heavy traffic down Westbourne Rd, school buses etc outside Edgie High and the increase in parking along the right make it difficult for cyclists.
The other alternative, a contraflow cycle lane along Harborne Rd, looks increasingly unlikely as the number of parked cars during peak hours continues to rise. This section of Harborne Rd will soon be one lane for much of it's length.
Neeraj noticed that the traffic light cycle for cyclists turning right from Hagley Rd into Bearwood Rd is so short that cyclists can't make it before the oncoming deluge of cars is released. After raising it with the BCC, the light cycle has been inproved & is just adequate.
Canals: British Waterways User group
PushBikes is actively discussing issues relevant to cycling with Britsh waterways.
