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So much to include in this newsletter, you'd better make a cup of tea and have a sit down! Loads of Infrastructure Updates; a section to help you with Reporting problems and issues you might encounter when out walking, wheeling or cycling; some Congratulations; a look ahead to numerous Events coming up, a brief overview of National Nonsense before we eventually conclude with an international And Finally item.
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A considerable number of updates for you, read on.....
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Oaklands College Rights of Way
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The Temporary Traffic-Regulation Order (TTRO) for the closure of North Drive, between Sandpit Lane and Oaklands College, expired at the end of March, and the bridleway has re-opened. The 'contaminated land' issue affecting the bridleway has been resolved by a re-assessment of the risks as 'Level 3' which does not require closure of the route. Notices advise you to take sensible hygiene precautions.
As of 4th April, latest update from Oaklands College is:
We would like to inform you of upcoming road surfacing works that will be taking place on the South Drive over the next few days. On Thursday, the 4th and Friday the 5th of April there will be restricted access on the South drive for vehicles. On Saturday the 6th April we will need a full closure for motor vehicles. As a result, we advise all who require vehicle access to the campus to use the East Drive and park in the Temporary Car Park.
Please note that although we will be working on the South Drive, Pedestrians and other PROW users will have access along all three Rights of Way as usual.
Kind regards
Claire
Claire Dolan
Deputy Principal Strategy, Partnership and Business Development
Oaklands College, St Albans Campus, Hatfield Road, St Albans, Hertfordshire, AL4 0JA
Communication from the college continues to be poor, the 'North Drive closed' sign at the Hatfield Road entrance to the college was still up on 4th April and there is nothing on the college website. The best source of updates is the Marshalswick North Residents Association Facebook page.
Huge appreciation to MNRA for their persistence on this and other local issues - if you are local to their area, the membership form is here.
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The path over the railway bridge on B556 Harper Lane, near Radlett, has at last had its temporary metal and plastic barriers removed after 4 years. The path seems wider (about 2.5 metres) as the barriers occupied significant space (see above), so wide enough for shared use. However, the End of Cycle Route sign, ramp and painted cycle lane and advanced stop line on the road just before the traffic lights remain, as does the Cyclists Rejoin Carriageway sign and dropped kerb past the west side of the bridge, where the path ends at Watling Street.
STACC asked Hertfordshire County Council for clarification, they have confirmed that the project works are complete, with the post-completion safety audit due to be carried out. They confirmed that the intention is that cyclists rejoin the carriageway east of the bridge because the bridge parapet is too low to comply with cycling safety design standards.
We hope that the next project in this area will address the hostile environment for cycling that is A5183 Radlett Road / Watling Street. If this concerns you, take a look at the Hertsmere LCWIP website and register your interest: Hertsmere LCWIP (arcgis.com)
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Signage has been installed for the Quietway on the southern section of Buncefield Lane in Hemel Hempstead. If the signs are well received and considered worthwhile to highlight the traffic-free route, similar signs will be installed on the northern section when that ceases to be a through route for motor-traffic in the summer. However HCC will first have to solve the problem of flooding by the bend on this section, which has persisted since late February making the road impassable for cyclists and any pedestrians who are unable or unwilling to scramble over the muddy bank.
The proposals for the northern section of this route are quite exciting actually, as they include upgrading the Boundary Way roundabout on the route to 'Dutch-style'. Details of this and other Active Travel Fund projects can be found on the HCC website.
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Active Travel Fund - other projects
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Works at the south end of Watford High Street will be completed this month. The forthcoming Central St Albans scheme has now completed all statutory consultation phases and the pre-construction phase is underway. Work is scheduled for this summer. The Draft Traffic Regulation Order(TRO) was published late last year, ref SA 004 23 and details are on the ATF St Albans scheme page.
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Here is a summary of the many recent schemes brought forward, some under national government funding and some under County Councillor Highways Locality Budget.
Beaumont 'Woodlands' Drives, St Albans - the Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) SA 005 23 is now 'made' and in effect from 1st April. This scheme does not involve any physical changes.
Cottonmill etc 'St Albans 2' - the consultation was strongly supported and the draft TRO SA 001 24 was published in February. The design has been modified to address comments from STACC and others to use raised tables or humps rather than cushions and to reduce the speed limit on Cottonmill Lane through the golf course to something lower than 40mph - ideally 20mph as there is no footway, but we'll take 30mph for now. Date for implementation to be advised.
New House Park, St Albans - the draft TRO SA 003 24 was published in February.
Central and East St Albans - consulted, favourable response. Look out for draft TRO!
Wheathampstead - consulted, favourable response. Look out for draft TRO.
London Colney Phase 2 - consulted, was not strongly supported. So the scheme as proposed is unlikely to go ahead.
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George Street and Market Place, St Albans
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Market Place is now established as a Pedestrian and Cycle Zone, the TRO is SA 001 22 but is no longer online. It is intended that there will be some Public Realm Improvements to enhance the zone. STACC hopes this will include dealing with wobbly paviors and replacing the missing or damaged cycle stands by the Clock Tower.
George Street's experimental phases have been reviewed and the outcome is that the current phase will become permanent. As a reminder, that is one way for all traffic downhill and a cycle contraflow uphill. The contraflow cycle lane is designated as mandatory, this technical term means that motor vehicles must not enter the lane. At weekends - from 11am Saturday through to 7.00am Monday - motor traffic will be excluded and the street will be a Pedestrian and Cycle Zone. The draft TRO SA 004 24 gives details. Look out for the TRO being 'made', although this may take time as some highway changes are required and will need to be specified for construction costing and planning. Once that stage is complete the TRO will be finalised and the scheme implemented.
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Coldharbour Lane and Marquis Lane, Harpenden
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Following consultation, the width restriction on Coldharbour Lane has been replaced with a modal filter. This has been done under an Experimental TRO SA 002 24, which is valid for up to 18 months from 4 March 2024.
The change has already been welcomed by local residents, with the doughty Carol Hedges writing to the Herts Advertiser (letter published 28 March 2024) expressing her relief that 'we have just had a (temporary) *LTN installed....to curtail the morning rush hour, the weekend boy racers and the school run, during which elderly residents, walking pupils and mums with buggies were regularly abused by impatient drivers of speeding cars'. Carol quotes a local resident "It'll be great to have a pet that won't be run over, like all the last ones."
* Low Traffic Neighbourhood - an area where through motor traffic is restricted although everyone still has motor access
Speed and inconsiderate driving is causing danger and distress further down the Lea Valley and STACC was invited to comment on proposals for speed cushions on Marquis Lane on the approach to the Crabtree Lane junction, details in our March newsletters.. How very sad that a few thoughtless drivers - like the one pictured above cutting the corner when STACC were visiting the site - mean these measures are necessary to protect residents and especially pupils walking, wheeling cycling to and from Katherine Warrington School.
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Cole Green Way, Byway at Hertford end
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News and pictures from WelHat Cycling: The Cole Green Way (NCN61) at Hertford Football Club has been resurfaced removing the dark side of the moon craters. It's very smooth and very wide. If anyone comes across any one parking and blocking the new road, please let welhatcycling know. Our thanks to Hertfordshire County Council for fixing this.
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A fly-tip on Tyttenhanger Lane in March
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As cyclists we’re already looking after the environment by using a sustainable mode of transport and we can do more - by helping to combat the growing scourge of littering the environment (particularly with plastic). Fly-tips proliferate, especially on little-used country lanes such as Symondshyde Lane. If you are cycling alone or with one or two companions, it is easy to stop to take some photographs on your mobile 'phone.
There are various options to pinpoint the location. When you get home, you can find out where you took the photos by selecting one in your photos app and using the information tab (assuming you have the location settings on). Alternatively, call up a mapping app while you are in situ and take a screenshot of your location. Another option is to make use of What3Words. Here's a short video to simplify reporting of potholes (also works for fly tips and other issues) by using the What3Words app, which puts the three word location identifier onto the photo.
You can then make a report to the relevant local authority..... ah, but which authority is that, and how to contact them? Symondshyde Lane is in Welwyn Hatfield, not St Albans.
Well, there's an app for that... we suggest ClearWaste or FixMyStreet, which use the location that you supply to work out which local authority your report should be sent to. If you have time, you can make the report in situ when you take the photos; the app knows where you are when you do this so you don't have to tell it. You may find the flytip has already been reported.
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Potholes and Highway Faults
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FixMyStreet also can be used to report other problems, in particular that bug-bear of cyclists: pot-holes. You may have known of another app specifically for pot-holes, called FillThatHole that was created by Cycling UK. This app is no longer available, but a website with the same name that interfaces to FixMyStreet has taken its place. (So you can report fly-tips via the FillThatHole website). Again, a picture is worth 1000 words, so if you can take one of a pot-hole indicating its width and depth, for example by placing a bicycle wheel or foot in or nearby the pot-hole, so much the better.
The HCC Fault Reporting system is great when it works well, and it often does, especially for potholes. If you give your email address you will be sent updates. You can also check the map, and if the fault you want to report is already showing you can 'subscribe'. It is very useful to have the fault reference number for raising concerns with councillors. They welcome photographs, ideally one close up as above and one showing the fault position. Do take the photos from a safe position!
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Half a million! That is the approximate number of shopping trolleys retreived and returned to supermarkets each year. If you are fed up of dodging trolleys on the Alban Way, this is another case of 'there's an app for that', it is called Trolleywise and was developed by a company called Wanzl. The app is available for Android and Apple devices, links and more info on the Trolleywise webpage, which can also be used to report trolleys.
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We are delighted to see this example of opportunistic cycle-parking provision by a business for staff and customers at the Old Pumphouse, a building containing co-working offices, in Stonecross, St Albans. The vertical racks do not take up as much space as horizontal racks and accommodate several active travellers rather than one driver. A great initiative where space is tight, although this style of rack is difficult to use for relatively heavy bikes, such as hybrids or e-bikes.
If you spot any cycle parking worthy of a congratulation do let us know. If you spot some damaged stands, you can use the Reporting options above.
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Katherine Warrington School
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Congratulations to Katherine Warrington School on their Active Travel achievement - they are National Modeshift STARS Secondary School of the Year 2024. Yes, you do remember correctly, they won last year, so very well done for continuing to be the top school. Full story and links to resources for schools and Hertfordshire County Council's Active Travel Team are here. More about Modeshift STARS here.
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St Albans Cycle Hub environmental initiatives
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Well done to the St Albans Cycle Hub on becoming a Schwalbe Inner Tube Recycling location - picture credit above St Albans Cycle Hub. You can now drop off your used inner tubes at the Cottonmill Community And Cycling Centre for recycling by Schwalbe - over 10million tubes have already been recycled by Schwalbe since 2015.
The Cycle Hub is now progressing towards becoming a Trash Free Trails Centre - keep an eye on their social media for updates.
St Albans Cycle Hub website Facebook Instagram
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Quite a lot coming up this month and further ahead. As a cycle campaign our main focus is 'everyday' cycling rather than sport or leisure, but cycling is fun and healthy whatever mode - as supported by research such as this Australian study which found that Those who commute short distances, walk or cycle to work, are more likely to be happy commuters, which makes them more productive.
Anyway, some fun, social and sporty events for you to consider as participant or spectator.
STACC used to put on events such as market stalls, or attend relevant events, to promote cycling. These were also an opportunity to get comments from the public on what they enjoy about cycling and what holds them back - grist to our campaign mill. However, the pandemic disrupted this for us and we need to rebuild our 'events team'. If you could come along as and when for a short time or all day, as a cheerful body to enthuse about cycling, please get in touch.
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Sustrans Social Ride - 27th April
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Last year some STACC members participated in a Sustrans social ride along the Nickey Line assisting other volunteers in trimming vegetation and re-aligning sign-posts; see above. A similar excersise along the Alban Way has been organised for 27th April, meeting at the St Albans Abbey Station 9.30 a.m. The route is along the Alban way NCN61 towards Hatfield then up to Welwyn Garden City, Harpenden and back to St Albans. If you would like to join the ride, please send an email to the Sustrans organiser Stephen Ball and bring a pruning saw, secateurs and, if room, loppers, and don't forget some food & drink.
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Passion to Pedal, Bendish - 27th April
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Drop in to the Apps Cycle Works shop/workshop in Bendish, near Whitwell, to admire beautiful, interesting bikes from across cycling genres - road racing, time trials, MTB, trials, old bikes, new bikes, classic bikes.
Free entry, no ticket required. Shop open for In store bargains and deals on new stock from top brands and there will be a jumble table of second hand treasure!
Tea, coffee and cake courtesy of Emily's Teashop.
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British Pump Track Series - 27 & 28 April
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Pump track racing at the Cottonmill Community & Cycling Centre featuring Britains's top pump track riders.
Each competitor makes six timed runs around the track - three times clockwise and three times anti-clockwise. Their best times for each direction are combined.
Series Organiser website
Keep an eye on the St Albans Cycle Hub website and socials for local details.
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Hemel Hempstead Hill-Buster, 28 April
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Take in the panoramic views of the rolling Chiltern Hills and the beautiful Hertfordshire countryside, before celebrating your achievement together with food and drink at the event village knowing that you have made a big difference towards helping families and individuals facing crisis across Dacorum by registering here.
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SustFest Expo - 7 - 9 June
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SustFest Expo will be in St Albans at the Alban Arena from 7th – 9th June 2024 and will include two full days of talks, workshops, stalls and activities all centred around making sustainable changes.
Come along and join in the fun! The arena will be open to the public for free on Saturday 8th 9am – 5pm and Sunday 9th 10am – 4pm.
STACC will be supporting the St Albans Cycle Hub at the Expo, details to follow in due course, please get in touch if you would like to be involved.
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SustFest Great Big Green Week 7 - 16th June
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SustFest will be running a community programme to coincide with Great Big Green Week. This happens to coincide with Bike Week, so STACC does hope to contribute. But.... the committee needs some help on this, so please let us know if you could contribute some time or ideas.
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This epic event is delivered in partnership between Verulam CC ATW and Chiltern Velo. With distances varying from the 60km Explorer, the 100km Medio Fondo, up to the formidable 160km Gran Fondo with over 2000m of climbing, there is something for everyone on two wheels. With fully signposted routes, chip-timing, downloadable gpx files and feed stations on the route, this is a great way to explore the beautiful Chiltern countryside.
All routes start from event HQ in Bellingdon, near Chiltern Velo cafe.
More details and entry form here.
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Fete du Velo, Redbourn - 7 July
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Redbourn Festival & Fete du Velo - Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th July
Another event organised by Verulam CC, this time with Active in Redbourn and Redbourn Parish Council as the Redbourn Festival. This fun for the family weekend will again incorporate a Funday on the Saturday and the Fete du Velo on the Sunday, with this year the added attraction of Redbourn Rocks featuring live bands playing on the stage on the Saturday evening from 6 to 10pm - what's not to love!
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Playing Out - pick your date!
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Organise your own event with help from Playing Out and Our Street Party, two types of community events covered by the Sustainable St Albans Meet Your Neighbours project.
There are some free information sessions coming up:
“Street Gatherings with the Playing Out scheme”
Tuesday 30th April 8pm on zoom
Tuesday 21st May 8pm at The Beech House, St Albans
Monday 10th June 8pm on zoom
Or come and chat with the Playing Out team at Harpenden Sustainability Market Sunday 19th May - find them on the Sustainable St Albans stall 10am-noon.
PS Job Opportunity - a paid part-time co-ordinator role, apply by 18th April
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To keep abreast of active travel news, the Bike is Best weekly digest on Substack is great (just click 'no thanks' if you don't want to subscribe), or listen to the (less frequent) Streets Ahead podcast. More about Bike Is Best on their website. The podcast is hosted by Ned Boulting (cycling and darts commentator), Adam Tranter (West Midlands Cycling and Walking Commissioner) and Laura Laker (freelance journalist specialising in active travel and public transport). The following snippets come from the Bike is Best Digest [digest #, date] and address some of the worrying recent announcements from the Prime Minister (helicopter taxis) and Transport Secretary.
The Plan for Drivers is not actually unreasonable, if you have worked out that the basic problem is 'too many cars'. And the way to solve the issues is to reduce car use. Competent drivers know that, and accept measures to enable alternative modes - public transport, walking, cycling - to replace car journeys, so that unavoidable car journeys are easier. Lower speed limits make traffic flow better. Better consultation on schemes is a no-brainer, and we are seeing improvements in HCC consulting. But the announcements and sensationalist media outlets are pitching at those with limited and entrenched attitudes, and sense becomes nonsense. Sigh.
DITCH THE CULTURE WARS ON TRANSPORT. The IPPR has polled 2041 British people and more than half of them think public transport to and from work is essential (53%), compared with one in five who consider a car the same. Referencing the futility of the ‘war on motorists’ and Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTNs), the research found 38% of people wanted to walk, cycle or wheel more than they do now.
The government's own Low Traffic Neighbourhood review actually flagged up that LTNs are beneficial but not well understood: While the review of existing evidence showed that LTN schemes have had several positive impacts, albeit with more uncertainty in terms of economic ones, this remains largely unrecognised by stakeholders or residents (in the four scheme areas where survey research was conducted). [110, 3 April 2024]
PLAN FOR DRIVERS. Released this week [22nd March] was strengthened guidance around 20mph, and the encouragement to councils to ‘put local consent first’ in LTN rollout, as part of the ‘Plan for Drivers’. A real plan for drivers would give people genuine transport choices like walking, cycling and public transport. Only then can we reduce car dependency, freeing up road space for those who really need to drive. It could be like driving during school holidays, all year round. [108, 22 March 2024]
MEANWHILE, WALKING AND CYCLING STILL WINNERS. A report by an advisor for the Levelling Up Department’s Office for Place urges ministers to make urban areas more friendly for cycling and walking, to boost health, prosperity and personal freedom. It could, as the Guardian’s Peter Walker reports, even solve the housing crisis. The Create Streets report, by the OfP’s Nicholas Boys Smith, urges we look at place, rather than just cars, for society and the environment. [108, 22 March 2024]
STACC note: the report was supported by Cycling UK but independently written, and can be read here.
ACTIVE TRAVEL ‘BEST BUY’ FOR HEALTH. Active travel is a “best buy” for improving health, according to this BMJ piece. The author, Professor Scarlett McNally’s opinion, is to reap the benefits of cycling and walking, pavements need repairing, crossings improved, the Highway Code changes learned by drivers and 20mph speed limits introduced in built-up areas. The NHS should lead with its own staff, McNally says, and link in with other departments’ efforts, such as those tackling the climate crisis. [107, 14 March 2-24]
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Cyclists should not use excessive speed on a cycle-path in Zaragoza, the capital of Aragon in north-east Spain.
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