Cycling In Hyndburn

Uncle Mick · 20-10-2005, 21:18

Just back from the public consultation meeting for the new cycling in Hyndburn project

The scheme would mirror one already successful in Lancaster, which would mean developing the existing cycle route from Priestley Clough ( Woodnook Greenway) along by the railway line (West Accrington cycle path) to link up with routes to Rishton/Blackburn/Great Harwood, not dumping bits of red tarmac and three foot cycle lanes all over the place.
The scheme would also encourage the recycling of old bikes, cycle hire, organised rides out and training in cycle skills and cycle maintenance for all ages.

Funding would be coming from outside agencies and government grants but would ultimatly have to be self funding, from low cost repairs, bike building and training schemes. It would`nt be a drain on the council tax!

As the meeting was poorly attended (Surprise!) with no one from the council there, and knowing our leaders aversion to us two wheeled pests, I thought I`d throw the debate open to Accywebbers...Good idea or a disaster in the making.

P.S. I learned tonight that there are a number of lockable cycle storage cabinets behind the town hall... look there they are.. the keys are in the Chief Engineers drawer Doh!

Gayle · 20-10-2005, 22:13

So who had organised the meeting?

chav1 · 20-10-2005, 22:28

recycleing bikes would have been a good idea a few years ago but bikes are relativly cheap these days although if the recycled bikes are given to familys who cant afford them then i would be all for it

as for cycle lanes i dont care either way about them

Uncle Mick · 21-10-2005, 19:57

The feasibilty study was commissioned by Lancs County Council to be carried out by Furniture Matters, a recycling, reuse and training charity based in Lancaster who already have a successful scheme of this type up and running.

Apparently after a recent survey with local children/youths it was found that over 50% of them did`nt own bikes, which I must admit surprised me!

As regards the scheme they are just judging local public reaction...if you don`t want it you won`t get it.

Lampman · 22-10-2005, 11:18

Well ,sounds like agood idea.Could they possibly incorporate tuition on not riding on pavements and actually having lights showing on night time rides?

accymel · 22-10-2005, 12:40

It would be ok if the roads were safer & cycle lanes that actually went places as alternative to driving & also safe for family riding

Gayle · 22-10-2005, 16:52

It does sound a good idea, I hope it gets off the ground.

chav1 · 22-10-2005, 17:06

ive heard they are planning a similar scheme with airoplanes..

heres hoping that scheme definatly gets of the ground

Lampman · 22-10-2005, 17:10

Yes probably will when they hit the speed bumps!

Uncle Mick · 23-10-2005, 14:33

Thanks for your comments folks, keep `em coming.

Hyndburn was picked because of the creation of new cycle routes in the district and the current low levels of cycling ( although that may be to do with the amount of hills round here) and also fits in with current health strategies and gives youths something to do. It would be great if an area could be set up to help kids and returning adults to cycle safely/get their confidence back. One of the problems I see is that the routes would have to go somewhere, like to the sports centre/ parks/ Asda. In Lancaster you can go from Glasson Dock up to Caton or into Morecambe without hitting a main road and all the routes are clean and well kept.

If you need any further details you can contact the project manager Stephen Buchanan on 01524 428013

chav1 · 23-10-2005, 14:45

i believe they have made a new cycle route between church and rishton , if my memory serves me right it will cut across the fields instead of having to cycle the long way along the canal bank

not sure if it got finished as i stopped cycling along the canal when the nights got darker earlier

Tealeaf · 23-10-2005, 15:30

Whats the route? The simple one (before the M65 came through) was straight through the Dunkenhalgh, but that path got destroyed either side of the motorway bridge. Has this now been tidied up?

chav1 · 23-10-2005, 15:53

ime not sure but if i can sober up enough i will take a look down there tonight on my bike

Uncle Mick · 23-10-2005, 16:08

Oh a new one on me! Presumably it runs from the Church swing bridge round the side of the sewage farm and comes out at the bottom of the brew at Rishton?

SPUGGIE J · 25-10-2005, 20:44

Something that is useful being built in Accy for the public to use. I need scraping of the floor.