Public meeting: LSTF – a review of projects in the North West

Thursday 12th July: North West Region Transport Planning Society : LSTF – a review of projects in the North West

In July 2011, the Department for Transport announced the successful bids from the first round of applications to the Local Sustainable Transport Fund - four of the North West bids were successful and four more bids were given approval through Tranche 2 in May 2012.

This event will provide an opportunity to learn more about three of the successful bids from the first round, including a review of progress made in delivering the projects over the last 12 months. A question and answer session will follow the presentations.

Projects/speakers:

• Facilitating Sustainable Access to Employment in Merseyside – Barbara Wade, Implementation and Funding Team Leader (Merseytravel) and Chris Hardwick, LSTF Business Manager (Mott MacDonald). 
• Go Lakes Travel: Changing how visitors travel to and around the Lake District – Claire Maclaine, Programme Manager and Alistair Kirkbride, Sustainable Transport Advisor (Lake District National Park Authority) 
• Greater Manchester Commuter Cycle Project – Nick Vaughan, Head of Transport Planning and Solutions (Transport for Greater Manchester)

We look forward to seeing you there – members and non-members welcome.

The event is free to attend and lunch will be provided.

Registration is required for catering purposes -bookings should made via email to chris.smith@aecom.com

When: Thursday 12th July,  12:00 for 12:30 start (duration: approx 1 ½ hours)
Where: Friends Meeting House, 6 Mount Street, Manchester, M2 5NS

EU Commission to allow larger lorries on the roads?

After years of campaigning by cycling advocacy organisations and the recent high profile Times Cities Fit for Cycling campaign,  many city councils in the UK are considering how to introduce measures to make the road network safer for cycling and some transport companies have been fitting equipment to make it easier for the driver to see bicycles.

Although there is always room for improvement - such developments are all to the good. However, those nice people at Transport & Environment have recently reported a decision by the EU Transport Comissioner to 'reinterpret' the limits on lorry length and weight.

See "Commission reinterpretation on megatrucks is ‘undemocratic’ and ‘creates confusion"

According to the article, EU rules governing the length and weight of lorries have been thrown into confusion by a unilateral ‘reinterpretation’ of an EU directive by the transport commissioner Siim Kallas. 

This "re-interpretation" appears to abandon all length limits and could open the way for ‘megatrucks’ to be driving on Euorpean roads.

Current EU rules (see Directive 96/53) places limits on lorries operating within the European Union of 40 tonnes and 18.75 metres. In some countries the use of ‘megatrucks’ (up to 60 tonnes, and 25 metres in length) has already been allowed, but under the directive, these are illegal if they cross national borders.

Transport & Environment lorries officer William Todts said: "The commissioner’s move has thrown transport policy into confusion. It has by-passed the democratic process and led to a battle with the Parliament, it has breached trust with stakeholders, and it creates lasting uncertainty for operators. It’s incomprehensible."

It is not yet known what position the UK's MEP's and Department for Transport will take on this 'decision'.  Will update as more news becomes available.

What is clear is that longer and heavier megatrucks will do nothing to encourage active travel (walking and cycling) on the UK's roads.

Absolutely Bike Fabulous - Saturday 23rd June

Those lovely people at Love Your Bike would like to invite you to this year's Bike Fabulous event in Manchester Arndale (Exchange Court) on Saturday 23rd June.

Saturday 23rd June sees the third annual Bike Fabulous event take place in Manchester Arndale. There’s something for everyone, whether you’ve never cycled in your life or are a regular on your bike.

Cycling doesn’t mean sacrificing style for comfort. Why compromise? Bike Fabulous brings together clothes and accessories designed with cycling in mind, as well as everyday wear perfect for riding your bike and looking great.

Join us 11am – 5pm for all things bike and fabulous including:

• Catwalk shows showing how easy it is to cycle in style
• Pedal powered sound – cycle to keep the music going
• Cycle maintenance displays and training details from BikeRight!
• Bike and accessory selections to inspire you
• Information and advice to get you started and help you carry on
• Competitions to win a bike as well as some pampering Lush goodies
• Craft activities for children (grown ups welcome too!)
• Discounts for participating Manchester Arndale retailers and local bike shop.

For more details see www.bikefabulous.org or contact katy@manchesterfoe.org.uk