Park where you like? No Minister !

Pavements are for People - DfT leaflet 

In July 2013, the BBC reported that sources close to the communities secretary Eric Pickles told the Daily Telegraph that "over-aggressive" parking enforcement was one of the reasons why many High Streets were struggling.  His proposed solution - let drivers park for up to 15 minutes on areas with yellow lines.  Although a year later, it was reported that the idea had been quietly dropped.  This followed the publication of a Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) report that found that it could also "encourage more anti-social and potentially dangerous parking and also lead to sequential parking in some popular areas where kerb space might be continually occupied despite there being a restriction in place". (My emphasis)

This appears to be an all-too typical approach from the Communities Secretary, make a lot of noise on a supposedly populist policy announcement - only to quietly drop it when people realise the negative impacts.

More seriously, than the public dog-whistle posturing of individual politicians - is the central direction of transport policy that this example highlights.  

Need to increase "growth" ? Rush through plans to build more roads. Let's just ignore decades of evidence that building more roads does not reduce congestion. In fact, they increase traffic levels.

"An average road improvement, for which traffic growth due to all other factors is forecast correctly, will see an additional [i.e. induced] 10% of base traffic in the short term and 20% in the long term." (1994 SACTRA report 'Trunk Roads and the Generation of Traffic')

Worried about the impact of increased CO2 emissions from more traffic?  (on your newly built roads) - remove CO2 emissions from the grounds that local people can object to a road building proposal.

Pretending you are worried about the demise of the High Street as people shop at out-of-town retail parks due to the high cost of parking charges?  Suggest that vehicles can park anywhere on yellow lines - despite evidence from your own department that this would increase danger to pedestrians and people cycling.

How about changing the regulations that mean that large out-of-town retail centres do not pay business rates on the massive amounts of land taken up with "free" car parking places - whilst small High Street businesses have to pay business rates on the small number of car parking spaces that they provide. Level playing field anyone?  (But this is a subject for a future blog post).

But back to the subject of vehicles being able to park anywhere....

In the 1980s the Department for Transport (DfT) and Central Office of Information (COI) produced the leaflet (see above) which was sent out with driving licences and politely reminded drivers not to park on the pavement.  Unfortunately, the DfT and DVLA no longer seem to view this as a priority - although some Councils do.   

The government encourages local councils to apply to take over parking responsibilities from the police. This is called decriminalisation, because parking offences become civil matters, rather than criminal. In other areas where the local council has not applied to take charge, the police will still be responsible for enforcement.

The government encourages local councils to apply to take over parking responsibilities from the police. This is called decriminalisation, because parking offences become civil matters, rather than criminal. In other areas where the local council has not applied to take charge, the police will still be responsible for enforcement. - See more at: http://www.livingstreets.org.uk/make-a-change/urgent-actions/pavement-parking#sthash.HxK2Reru.dpuf

The government encourages local councils to apply to take over parking responsibilities from the police. This is called decriminalisation, because parking offences become civil matters, rather than criminal. In other areas where the local council has not applied to take charge, the police will still be responsible for enforcement. - See more at: http://www.livingstreets.org.uk/make-a-change/urgent-actions/pavement-parking#sthash.HxK2Reru.dpuf

The government encourages local councils to apply to take over parking responsibilities from the police. This is called decriminalisation, because parking offences become civil matters, rather than criminal. In other areas where the local council has not applied to take charge, the police will still be responsible for enforcement. - See more at: http://www.livingstreets.org.uk/make-a-change/urgent-actions/pavement-parking#sthash.HxK2Reru.dpuf

The Manchester City Council website states:

"Where there are parking restrictions in place, such as double yellow lines or where the kerbs are lower to enable pedestrians to cross, we can take action. However, the majority of instances happen where there are no parking restrictions in place.  If it presents an actual obstruction and pedestrians, wheelchair users or pushchairs can't pass safety or a car is parked across your driveway then contact the Police on 101 who can take action."

The government encourages local councils to apply to take over parking responsibilities from the police. This is called decriminalisation, because parking offences become civil matters, rather than criminal. In other areas where the local council has not applied to take charge, the police will still be responsible for enforcement. - See more at: http://www.livingstreets.org.uk/make-a-change/urgent-actions/pavement-parking#sthash.HxK2Reru.dpuf

In a 2006 report, Manchester City Council stated that they did "not currently have the powers to introduce a city-wide ban on pavement parking due to no current legislation for enforcement outside London. The only way a total ban could be achieved would be to implement individual TRO’s and erect associated signage on every street within the city."

The report went on to explain how to do this on a road-by-road basis would be very expensive.

However, in London, pavement parking is banned throughout the 32 London boroughs, and the City of London under the Greater London (General Purposes) Act 1974. The Highway Code states; "You MUST NOT park partially or wholly on the pavement in London". All councils in London can and should enforce this law by issuing parking tickets to any vehicles parked on pavements, unless there is a sign there that specifically permits it. (Para 244)

Pavement parking is banned throughout the 32 London boroughs, and the City of London under the Greater London (General Purposes) Act 1974. The Highway Code states; 'You MUST NOT park partially or wholly on the pavement in London'. All councils in London can and should enforce this law by issuing parking tickets to any vehicles parked on pavements, unless there is a sign there that specifically permits it. - See more at: http://www.livingstreets.org.uk/make-a-change/urgent-actions/pavement-parking#sthash.HxK2Reru.dpuf

Manchester recently announced that one-third of all the streets (where people live) would have a 20mph speed limit. Reducing traffic speed and noise will help play a part in making our streets safer and nicer places to live, meet, play and cycle.

Reclaiming pavements for people (young and old) to walk and play on would be another great step.  

Following a presentation at the Manchester Cycle Forum (March 2014) about enforcement by Manchester Community Enforcement officers of parking in cycle lanes and shared pavements - the MCC officers were asked whether it would be possible (legally, not necessarily politically) for Manchester to implement a similar regulation to the London Scheme.  Eg all pavement parking is banned - apart from where it is allowed.

A response was promised for the next Cycle Forum (June) but unfortunately was not forthcoming.  Let's hope that an answer can be provided to the September Cycle Forum.

Meanwhile, you can support the Living Streets campaign on inconsiderate pavement parking. Living Streets calls for: 

• UK Government to make pavement parking illegal throughout the UK  
• UK Government to lead a wider national “pavement education” campaign on all aspects of using our pavements – including anti-social parking and cycling 
• All local authorities to decriminalise and take on the civil enforcement of parking offences 
• Where police are responsible for enforcement, to take the issue more seriously and enforce all instances of pavement parking.

Living Streets calls for:

• UK Government to make pavement parking illegal throughout the UK
• Scottish Government to expand dropped kerb regulations into Scotland
• UK Government to lead a wider national “pavement education” campaign on all aspects of using our pavements – including anti-social parking and cycling
• All local authorities to decriminalise and take on the civil enforcement of parking offences
• Where police are responsible for enforcement, to take the issue more seriously and enforce all instances of pavement parking.

- See more at: http://www.livingstreets.org.uk/make-a-change/urgent-actions/pavement-parking#sthash.HxK2Reru.dpuf

Bury Council policy:  Safer parking

We have a responsibility to keep the roads and footpaths safe to use.
Illegally parked vehicles cost us thousands of pounds a year due to damaged paving, damaged grass verges. They also cause serious problems for blind, disabled and older people.

What action do we take against pavement parking?If there are waiting restrictions (yellow lines) on the highway adjacent to the pavement then a Penalty Charge Notice would be issued, as a vehicle parked in this manner is in contravention of the Traffic Order. Waiting restrictions cover the highway from the centre of the highway to back of the footpath.
If there are no waiting restrictions on the highway adjacent to the pavement, then we have no powers to take action and this should be taken up with the Police as it constitutes obstruction.


Trafford Council. What action do we take against pavement parking?

If there are waiting restrictions (yellow lines) on the highway adjacent to the pavement then a Parking Fine would be issued since a vehicle parked in this manner is in contravention of the traffic order.
Waiting restrictions cover the highway from centre of highway to back of footpath.
If there are no waiting restrictions on the highway adjacent to the pavement, then we have no powers to take action and this should be taken up with the Police since it constitutes an obstruction.

How fast can your granny run?

In April, the BBC reported that Manchester had become the UK's first city to be recognised as age-friendly by the World Health Organisation. More accurately, Manchester has become the first UK city to become a member of the WHO Global Network of Age-friendly Cities and Communities (GNAFCC).

As a network member, Manchester has committed to “undertake a process of continually assessing and improving their age-friendliness” and will ensure that “older residents are involved in a meaningful way throughout the process.”

If Manchester is serious about becoming age-friendly as well as improving the walkability of the City then one practical measure that the Council, and the other GM local authorities, could implement is to change the crossing times at pedestrian crossings.

How fast can YOUR granny run?

Research for Living Streets found that most people over the age of 65 walk much slower than the current assumed walking speed of 1.2 metres per second, on which the “green man” time allowed to cross is based, meaning they have insufficient time to safely reach the opposite kerb.

Or, put another way, the “green man” crossing time is not enough for 85% of women and 76% of men aged 65 and over.

The current crossing time guidance dates from the 1950s when levels of car ownership and traffic were much less than today. Living Streets is calling for the assumed walking speed to be changed to 0.8m/s which would add just 3 more seconds onto the green man crossing time on an average width road.

• 3 seconds might not sound like much, but for older people, people with mobility issues and parents with children it can really have a big impact.

• 3 more seconds could help make Manchester a better place to walk. Increasing the number of people walking might encourage more people to leave the car at home for shorter trips to their local shops and neighbourhoods. Making Manchester a nicer place to walk would also be fairer to the 45% of Manchester households who do not own (or have access to) a car. (Census 2011)

Increasing walking levels and reducing car traffic volumes (and speeds) could also encourage more people to cycle – you never know we might catch up with the Dutch where people over 65 make 24% of all their trips by bicycle.(Page 504)

You can find out more information and support the Living Streets “Give me time to cross” campaign on the website.


PS Shortly after this blog article was first drafted, the Manchester Evening News reported that the Government was reviewing road-crossing times. The article quoted Transport for Greater Manchester as saying: 

“At signalised junctions with pedestrian facilities, Greater Manchester follows the standard Department for Transport guidance of 1.2 metres per second walking speed.
“If a longer crossing time is required we do review this on an individual basis along with local authority engineers.

“We’re aware of this ministerial proposal and will follow developments with interest. If the guidance from the Department for Transport changed to assume a lower speed then we would change all our crossing speeds accordingly.”

Stay tuned to see what comes of this review.

No, protected cycling infrastructure is probably not too expensive for your city to build....

Here in Greater Manchester, the successful "Vélocity 2025 : A cycling plan for 2025 and beyond" bid for Cycling City Ambition Grant (CCAG) funding committed the conurbation to providing total funding over a 12 year period that would see "between £150 and £200 million invested on a range of cycling infrastructure, interventions and culture shift of which £20 million will be from the Cycle City Ambition Grant, £20 million from the LSTF and the remainder from a range of local and national, public and private sources through to 2025."


The current CCAG funding runs until March 2015 and as yet, neither the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) or Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) have publicly identified where the next 10 years of funding will come from, or how much funding will be provided.  

The current CCAG funding level is £10 per person but only covers 1 million people - so on a GM wide basis this translates as £3.70 per person.  The All Party Parliamentary Cycling Group report "Get Britain Cycling" recommended that national / local government should support cycling with funding levels of £10 per person - across the whole of Greater Manchester this would work out at £27 million per year.  


One of the many argument(s) that will no doubt be made against providing funding for cycle infrastructure will be "but it will cost too much".  To put these arguments into context it is worth taking a look at a recent report by the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition which is a "brief exploration" of what they called the "myth" that "there's no way we can keep spending so much on bike lanes with so many other pressing needs in San Francisco."

To make their point that dramatically improving biking and walking in a city costs almost nothing compared to many other transportation projects — in San Francisco, one of the bike-friendliest cities in the country, bike projects take up less than 1 percent of the municipal transportation budget — they listed some typical cost figures.  The lovely people at the Green Lane Project  created the chart below from those figures.

Future blog posts will return to this theme and explore the arguments and evidence of the economic benefits of increasing cycling levels - as well as the lobbying arguments that will be needed throughout the coming year(s) to secure the funding needed to build a safe, convenient and coherent cycle network across Greater Manchester. (Note: the budget discussions for 2015-16 will start in October this year)

Meanwhile, enjoy the graphic. Click here for the original graphic.

 

Somebody please tell the University to "Wake up and smell the coffee!"

Oh dear.. what is it with Manchester and cycling?  Last December we had Manchester City Council's website listing "cycling safety" information under the heading Crime, Anti-social behaviour and nuisance (thankfully now amended!).

Now we have the mighty University of Manchester and "Corridor Manchester" objecting to an application from the Coffee Cranks Cooperative for a Street Trading licence to sell coffee from their beautifully adapted cargo bike outside the Edinburgh Bicycle Co-operative shop opposite Withworth Park and on Dover Street (off Oxford Road).


The miserable objection letters from the University of Manchester and Corridor Manchester are available online if you would like read them yourself. They are almost identical and contain such gems as the "presence of a street trader, the congestion it would bring, the visual appearance of the vehicle, and the likelihood of increased litter conflicts with the University’s vision for the area." 

and claims that the University "believes that granting the licence would create real safety concerns, be detrimental to its ambitions and, as the contribution to the City’s economy and vibrancy though the success of the University cannot be overstated, we hope that the City Council would reject the application." (Ed - wonder if these "safety concerns" are the same as led Manchester City Council to file "cycling" under crime, antisocial behaviour and nuisance" !)


Coffee Cranks Coop is a workers' coop selling ethically  sourced coffee, tea and snacks from a cargo bike designed and constructed by members of the initiative in the summer of 2013. Their objectives are to " bring positive change to our communities while selling delicious and ethically sourced coffee, tea and snacks from our purpose built cargo bike."   The core ethos of the coop is based upon a grand vision of helping transform Manchester into a cycling city of the future. This extends beyond cycling; we seek to support other social projects focused on transport, the environment and sustainability.


Sterile laboratories not sterile streets.
The Corridor Manchester Strategic Vision to 2020 document proudly claims that "Corridor Manchester's long-term vision is that, globally and locally, people will recognise the Corridor as a place that is original, creative and smart, where knowledge is put to work." (Page 4, Executive Summary)

Other smart cities have recognised that people like to live in places that have developed good cycling infrastructure as well as "original, creative and smart" social and street culture that is different to the bland "same as everywhere else" multinational chains.

Time to 'wake up and smell the coffee'
Developing a vibrant cycling culture (and street culture) is about much more than just counting the number of people cycling.*    Manchester City Council has recognised the need "undertake major public realm and junction improvements to support street life and commercial activity" in other areas of the City such as the Great Ancoats Street Corridor.


It is time for the University of Manchester and Corridor Manchester to 'wake up and smell the coffee'.

Please sign the Coffee Cranks petition calling on the University of Manchester and Corridor Manchester to withdraw their objections.

And if you would like to - please tweet the following message (or your own variant): University of Manchester (@SocialResponUoM) and Corridor Manchester (@corridormcr): withdraw objections to Coffee Cranks Coop's trading licence application.
 


(*) "The number of cycle trips has more than doubled – continued evidence of a growing cycling culture."

Greater Peak District Cycle Strategy

The Peak District National Park Authority are currently developing a cycle strategy for the Greater Peak District*.  

The consultation will start on the 17th February and last for 5 weeks.  If you would to comment on the cycle strategy please contact Emily Fox, Transport Policy Manager, Peak District National Park Authority.   Emily.Fox@peakdistrict.gov.uk
Peak District National Park Authority, Aldern House, Baslow Road, Bakewell, DE45 1AE 
Tel: 01629 816200

*For clarification, the Greater Peak District is the National Park and surrounding urban areas, for example, Sheffield, Nottingham, Manchester and Derby.

Manchester cycling safety advice - file under Crime, antisocial behaviour and nuisance !

The Cycling Safety advice on the MCC website  contains fairly standard road safety-esque cycling safety advice.

What is a tad disheartening (although arguably also a fairly standard road safety-esque view of cycling) is the category under which the information is held. 

It would appear that Manchester City Council chooses to place "cycling safety" issues under the heading "Crime, antisocial behaviour & nuisance" !  Is this truly how Manchester City Council view cycling?

Could this be the view of the same Manchester City Council which proudly announced in June 2012 that it wanted to become Britain's No1 city for cycling by 2017.

The webpage does have a Was this information helpful? section (see bottom of the page) perhaps people would like to take the opportunity to leave appropriate (polite!) responses.

Happy Solstice !

Update: January 2014. 

Following a little prodding via Twitter and email the Manchester City Council webmeisters have shifted the webpage to the slightly more appropriate heading(s) below.....

• Roads, parking & transport
• Walking & cycling
• Cycling safety

Question time: What would you like to ask Baroness Kramer (the new Transport Minister) ?

Somehow, I find myself invited to the Mainstreaming Smarter Travel event on 3rd / 4th December in Manchester Town Hall. This is described in the publicity as an "annual event where representatives and stakeholders from all Local Sustainable Travel Fund (LSTF) awarded regions come together to share knowledge, good practice and discuss effective implementation of projects."
(Programme details available here)

One of the sessions on Wednesday 4th December, there will be what is describde as "an extended interview and discussion with the new Transport Minister with responsibility for LSTF, Baroness Susan Kramer, Cllr. Andrew Fender, Chair of TfGMC and Mike Blackburn, Chair of Greater Manchester LEP and BT regional director for the North West."

I have received an email asking me what my top questions would be for the three interviewees (see below).  Deadline is 12noon, Friday 22nd November.  So if you have any burning questions you would liked asked - why not send them in to the email address below or leave a comment on this blog.

A message from Lynn Sloman, Director of Transport for Quality of Life, Plenary Chair for Mainstreaming Smarter Travel Day 2

On the second day of the Mainstreaming Smarter Travel conference, there will be an extended interview and discussion with the new Transport Minister with responsibility for LSTF, Baroness Susan Kramer, Cllr. Andrew Fender, Chair of TfGMC and Mike Blackburn, Chair of Greater Manchester LEP and BT regional director for the North West.

I’d like to know your top questions for our three interviewees. We’ll endeavour to cover as many of them as possible – and certainly to address all the most popular topics.

Baroness Kramer was famed for her indefatigable pavement-pounding when she was the Lib Dem candidate for the London mayoral election in 2000, pledging to walk every high street in the capital city. So you might want to ask her what options she sees from her Ministerial hot seat to boost active travel. Or you might want to know what ideas Mike Blackburn and his fellow LEP Chairs have got for capital investment in sustainable travel post-2015.

Please send your questions by 12pm FRIDAY 22^nd NOVEMBER to rory.mcmullan@landor.co.uk.

Mark your email ‘LSTF Question Time’.

Sustainable travel grants for business / organisations in Greater Manchester

Details available on the Transport for Greater Manchester website (links below):



Travel Choices is offering grants to businesses for schemes which encourage employees to make sustainable travel choices.

Whether you want to build bike storage facilities at your premises so staff can cycle to work, put in an electric vehicle charging point or run an event to promote sustainable travel to staff, you can apply for up to £10,000* to make it happen.

The application process is simple, and our team of expert travel advisors are here to help you through each step. To get the ball rolling this is what you need to do:

• Join our Business Travel Network
• Tick the option for information on grants
• One of the Travel Choices team will come back to you to begin your application

Here’s what a Sustainable Travel Grant could fund for your business:

Capital schemes

• Cycling/walking facilities e.g. showers, changing facilities, drying room
• Pool bikes
• CCTV/improved security for cycle storage
• Electric car charging points
• Car park alterations for designated car sharing spaces
• On site modifications to improve access to walking and cycling routes

Revenue schemes

• Internal communications promoting sustainable travel
• A reward or incentive scheme for sustainable travellers
• Events to raise awareness of sustainable travel choices amongst employees
• Public transport taster tickets
• Seed funding for a shuttle bus service/ contribution towards subsidised bus route
• Corporate car club membership
• Specialist sustainable transport advice

* Eligibility conditions apply

For more information, visit: www.tfgm.com/travelchoices/Pages/business-grants.html  

Transport and Health - Transport Planning Society meeting (26th November 2013)

Overview:  The NHS in England is currently undergoing one of the largest reorganisations since its creation. Changes cover budgetary management, new clinical commissioning groups, greater local authority involvement, and so on.

The changes raise new opportunities for the transport and health sectors to enable achievement of mutually beneficial aims. Stronger links between the two sectors can help us to achieve improved health of the population, reduced levels of obesity, and a reduced resultant strain on NHS budgets through embedding active travel into the population’s daily lives. This event will provide an opportunity to identify the support both health and transport professionals can call on, to assist with development and delivery of complementary programmes now and in the future.

Speakers: 
Eleanor Roaf (Sustrans NW Regional Director)
Colin Cox (Public Health Consultant, Manchester City Council)
Nick Vaughan (Head of Transport Planning and Solutions – TfGM)
Dan Cassell (Transport and Access Manager – GM NHS)
NICE will also be represented

The presentations will be followed by a question and answer session.
 
We look forward to seeing you there – members and non-members welcome.
This event is free to attend for TPS/IHT/ILT/ICE/RTPI members (please bring your membership card with you); a £5 charge will be made for non-members.

TPS require that all attendees register for the event in advance (places are limited). Please reserve your place online or contact cheryl.maund@ice.org.uk if you have any difficulty. 

For all other event enquiries please contact Stacey.Silverman@jmp.co.uk
 
Lunch will be provided.

When: 12pm arrival for a 12:15pm start (duration: 2 hours approx.), Tuesday 26th November.
Location: Red Room One, City Tower, New York St, Piccadilly Plaza, Manchester, M1 4BT

Plant an Idea: PARK(ing) Day

Friday 20th September is International PARK(ing) Day where creative cities look to the future. Manchester Friends of the Earth is inviting people to join with citizens in cities around the world who will be transforming metered parking spaces into public parks and other social spaces, as part of international “PARK(ing) Day”.

Once again, Manchester Friends of the Earth members will be redesigning car parking spaces in Manchester city centre into picnic parks complete with “grass”, plants, deckchairs, tea, cupcakes and sparkling conversation.

This year we’re going to be making connections with Manchester Friends of the Earth’s recent campaigning to highlight the importance of biodiversity in cities. We’ll be in the Northern Quarter again and hopefully near the famous bee hotel. We will be offering hot drinks and lovely cupcakes.

Over the last fifty years our cities have been developed to make more and more space for the car. Supermarkets and malls, with massive car parks, have often overpowered local businesses in city locations. At the same time our streets have become noisy, polluted and unpleasant.  These policies have high costs in terms of air pollution, congestion and health.  PARK(ing) Day highlights the need to make our streets more attractive for residents and visitors, and improve the environment for businesses

Imagine if our cities had fewer spaces for cars and more room for people. We are inviting people to help us make parking spaces more sociable, fun and colourful. Join us on the day for coffee, cake and a chat or send us a photo of how people can help make cities greener.

PARK(ing) Day is an annual open-source global worldwide event where citizens, artists and activists collaborate to temporarily transform metered parking spots into “PARK(ing) spaces: temporary public places.

The mission of PARK(ing) Day is to call attention to the need for more urban open space, to generate critical debate around how public space is created and allocated, and to improve the quality of urban human habitat … at least until the meter runs out!

If you would like to help out on the day please contact: pete@manchesterfoe.org.uk

When: Friday 20th September, 9am till 5pm
Where: Thomas Street, Northern Quarter, Manchester City Centre

Friday 20th September is International PARK(ing) Day where creative cities look to the future. Manchester Friends of the Earth is inviting people to join with citizens in cities around the world who will be transforming metered parking spaces into public parks and other social spaces, as part of international “PARK(ing) Day”.

Once again, Manchester Friends of the Earth members will be redesigning car parking spaces in Manchester city centre into picnic parks complete with “grass”, plants, deckchairs, tea, cupcakes and sparkling conversation.
This year we’re going to be making connections with Manchester Friends of the Earth’s recent campaigning to highlight the importance of biodiversity in cities. We’ll be in the Northern Quarter again and hopefully near the famous bee hotel. We will be offering hot drinks and lovely cupcakes.

Over the last fifty years our cities have been developed to make more and more space for the car. Supermarkets and malls, with massive car parks, have often overpowered local businesses in city locations. At the same time our streets have become noisy, polluted and unpleasant.  These policies have high costs in terms of air pollution, congestion and health.  PARK(ing) Day highlights the need to make our streets more attractive for residents and visitors, and improve the environment for businesses

Imagine if our cities had fewer spaces for cars and more room for people. We are inviting people to help us make parking spaces more sociable, fun and colourful. Join us on the day for coffee, cake and a chat or send us a photo of how people can help make cities greener.

PARK(ing) Day is an annual open-source global worldwide event where citizens, artists and activists collaborate to temporarily transform metered parking spots into “PARK(ing) spaces: temporary public places.

The mission of PARK(ing) Day is to call attention to the need for more urban open space, to generate critical debate around how public space is created and allocated, and to improve the quality of urban human habitat … at least until the meter runs out!
If you would like to help out on the day please contact: pete@manchesterfoe.org.uk
When: Friday 20th September, 9am till 5pm
Where: Thomas Street, Northern Quarter, Manchester City Centre.
- See more at: http://www.manchesterfoe.org.uk/events/event/plant-an-idea-parking-day/#sthash.Bbdfsq4x.dpuf

Friday 20th September is International PARK(ing) Day where creative cities look to the future. Manchester Friends of the Earth is inviting people to join with citizens in cities around the world who will be transforming metered parking spaces into public parks and other social spaces, as part of international “PARK(ing) Day”.

Once again, Manchester Friends of the Earth members will be redesigning car parking spaces in Manchester city centre into picnic parks complete with “grass”, plants, deckchairs, tea, cupcakes and sparkling conversation.
This year we’re going to be making connections with Manchester Friends of the Earth’s recent campaigning to highlight the importance of biodiversity in cities. We’ll be in the Northern Quarter again and hopefully near the famous bee hotel. We will be offering hot drinks and lovely cupcakes.

Over the last fifty years our cities have been developed to make more and more space for the car. Supermarkets and malls, with massive car parks, have often overpowered local businesses in city locations. At the same time our streets have become noisy, polluted and unpleasant.  These policies have high costs in terms of air pollution, congestion and health.  PARK(ing) Day highlights the need to make our streets more attractive for residents and visitors, and improve the environment for businesses

Imagine if our cities had fewer spaces for cars and more room for people. We are inviting people to help us make parking spaces more sociable, fun and colourful. Join us on the day for coffee, cake and a chat or send us a photo of how people can help make cities greener.

PARK(ing) Day is an annual open-source global worldwide event where citizens, artists and activists collaborate to temporarily transform metered parking spots into “PARK(ing) spaces: temporary public places.

The mission of PARK(ing) Day is to call attention to the need for more urban open space, to generate critical debate around how public space is created and allocated, and to improve the quality of urban human habitat … at least until the meter runs out!
If you would like to help out on the day please contact: pete@manchesterfoe.org.uk
When: Friday 20th September, 9am till 5pm
Where: Thomas Street, Northern Quarter, Manchester City Centre.
- See more at: http://www.manchesterfoe.org.uk/events/event/plant-an-idea-parking-day/#sthash.Bbdfsq4x.dpuf

Join Freedom from Torture on a Cycle ride from Chorlton to Lymm

Join us on this scenic, 95% traffic-free ride to support

Freedom from Torture, dedicated to working with torture survivors to help them to re-build their lives.

Find out more details here.

Starting Point - Chorlton Water Park, 10.30am 

End Point – Jackson’s Boat, 3.30pm

Distance - 27.28 miles roundtrip (out and back) 
Qualified Bike Leaders will lead the ride 
Surfaces - Gravel, dirt, shale and tarmac

Not recommended for narrow tyres. Hybrid bikes ideal.

Contact: Alice Nicolay, Tel: 0161 236 5744, anicolay@freedomfromtorture.org

Greater Manchester Road Safety Summit (17th September 2013)

Dr Jon Lamonte, Chief Executive of Transport for Greater Manchester, personally invites you to the first Greater Manchester Road Safety Summit - Drive for Momentum.

The summit will provide key decision makers with information about initiatives and progress to date; an overview of future opportunities; and hold a workshop on a future local road safety strategy.

Your influence will be vital in shaping the future direction of road safety and casualty reduction interventions in Greater Manchester.

The programme will include:

• National policy, local progress and initiatives
• Future measures
• Partnership working and overcoming funding challenges
• Protecting Vulnerable Road Users (Pedestrians, Cyclists, Motorcyclists and Young Drivers)
• The role of the emergency services
• GM Road Safety Strategy Workshop
• Mini-exhibition

Register via roadsafety@tfgm.com or phone 0161 244 1721

(PS.  Perhaps someone would like to suggest a better title than "Drive for Momentum")

Simply Cycling: Job Opportunity - Cycle Club Coach/Assistant

Simply Cycling: Cycle Club Coach/Assistant – Job Description

*Minimum 24 hours per week
*Could be split into two posts: a) minimum 9 hours weekend and one evening, b)15 hours minimum weekday hours (and occasional weekend cover)


To assist/lead club sessions which are open to the public in both Wythenshawe and Longford Parks as well as public venues such as schools, colleges, local parks, trails and youth clubs.  This will involve:

- Dealing directly with children, vulnerable adults and their parents, carers and siblings as well as members of the general public.
- Assisting with the setting up and clearing up involved in each session.
- Assisting in the safe delivery of sessions
- Proactive involvement in all the activities of the club (see website for information on the activities we are currently involved in)
- Recording,  Monitoring and evaluation of attendance and participation figures and feedback.
- Involvement in forward planning of further activities to extend the impact of the club within our local communities.
- Some administrative involvement such as publicity flyers, press releases, website/twitter/facebook updates, filing reports, accounts etc. depending on skills and abilities.
- Commitment to relevant training
- Commitment to providing all activities to a high standard and with due diligence and regard for Health and Safety, Equal Opportunities and with attention to our very positive ‘can do’ approach.

The Person appointed will
- Be interested in Cycling
- Be able to drive
- Be capable of the physical demands  involved in the moving and storing of our fleet of bikes
- Be available for some weekend work and occasional evening activities, as well as weekday times
- Have some understanding/experience of,  or commitment to develop, working with people of all abilities.
- Have a degree of flexibility in working arrangements including supporting some of our two day cycling holidays
- Undertake an enhanced CRB (DBS) Disclosure
- Be aware that most of our work is undertaken outdoors and all year round.
- Be able to provide two references, one being from the most recent employer.
- Be aware that this is a 20 month fixed term contract.

The application process is by letter referencing your interest and suitability for the post and stating the hours you are interested in as well as the names and contact information of your two referees.  An attached CV would be advantageous.  Please send to: Simply Cycling, 37 Cherington Close, Manchester M23 0FE or by e.mail to: Sueblaylock2708@aol.com before 31^st August 2013

Amsterdam Rewards Safe Car Drivers With Money For The Neighborhood

Courtesy of the Pop-up City website comes this lovely idea to encourage drivers to drive below the 30kmh (20mph) speed limit...

"Spotted in Spaarndammerstraat in Amsterdam: A speedometer that indicates your speed and additionally gives you a money counter. 

What’s the deal? Each car that passes and stays below the speed limit of 30 kilometers per hour raises €0,03 for the neighborhood.


The money is paid out by the city of Amsterdam and is meant to be used in local community projects. 

The city’s slogan: “Max 30 — Save for the Neighborhood”. An interesting take on conditioning local residents to bring forth good citizenship instead of punishing car drivers for breaking minor traffic laws when being slightly over the speed limit."

Now wouldn't that be nice in Manchester......


 

When the going gets tough, the tough go...on holiday?

It seems to have been a bad August so far for the Metrolink service - leading to a public apology from Peter Cushing, the new Metrolink Director and a furious response from the NewsManc editor.

See below for some of the headline stories:

1st August: Ashes fans fury after Bury Metrolink trams suspended due to overhead cable fault. No trams are running between Bury and Manchester city centre - after a cable was seen dangling low above the track at Crumpsall station.

1st August: Pensioner killed in Metrolink accident on Rochdale-Manchester line.

3rd August: Metrolink tram derails blocking the line to Bury from Manchester Victoria. The tram with no passengers on was on its way into the Queens Road depot when it derailed near Woodlands Road and Victoria Station on Saturday afternoon.

5th August: An apology from Metrolink director, Peter Cushing.

7th August: Manchester's Metrolink tram service slammed in open letter after derailment leads to Ashes travel chaos.

13th August: ‘Triple whammy’ has put Wythenshawe residents on the road to chaos

As acknowledged by Peter Cushing, "It has been an incredibly challenging period and, at times, we failed to rise to that challenge."

This coming Friday (16th August) should have seen a Transport for Greater Manchester Committee meeting where perhaps the latest travails of Metrolink (and other Greater Manchester public transport services) could have been considered and strategies to improve services discussed.

Oh well, they will have to wait till September....