Well, I've now been in post for nine months and feel relatively settled. Although a resident of Lambeth, I had previously worked in Tower Hamlets at an Express Parcel company, and hence had a reasonable knowledge of the Borough, and of cycling facilities in particular. In the past I had also been a member of the Lambeth LCC. Having cycled extensively in London over the last 13 years, I have developed my own views on what I believe cyclists require. It's certainly been quite a busy time. In addition to the usual London Cycle Network work, we are also closely involved with Sustrans in developing the Millennium Route through the Borough, we've launched a Cycle Strategy Consultation Document (results in the next few months), and a new edition of the Cycle Map which you should receive with this Newsletter. Unfortunately there have been two cycling fatalities in the Borough during this time which shows how much still needs to be done.

As far as the London Cycle Network is concerned, I believe that the previous two to three years have seen the LCN mature into a more genuine Network. Cable St was just being completed as I came into post and this year we are continuing to upgrade the route from Butcher Row to the Borough boundary with Newham. In the meantime much of the Cable St scheme has received unwanted attention from the Statutory Undertakers, (gas, water, electric and more particularly (and in this instance appropriately) the cable companies) who are entitled by law to dig up the road. This has closed sections of the route for periods of time and removed much of the Green Surfacing. Unfortunately they are only obliged to reinstate the exact same type of surfacing after six months, and many of them are working on the basis that another Statutory Undertaker will have dug it up again before this becomes necessary.

We will soon begin work on the A11. A major sustainable transport project, it has received funding not only from the LCN but also from the Traffic Director for London and a certain amount from the European Union. The final detailed design is expected any day, and you should start to see some manifestation of the scheme out on the street during the summer.

As most of you know the A11, and more specifically the junction of Mile End Road and Burdett Road was the scene of a fatal accident involving a cyclist on 24th September. Since the accident the Council, in conjunction with the Wheelers', have met with the father of the deceased and explained what plans were already in existence for the junction (and the A11 as a whole). We also outlined the Borough's involvement in the Don't Be A Space Invader campaign which aims to encourage awareness both on behalf of lorry drivers and cyclists of each other. The date of the inquest has now been set for 5th May. The other fatality at Tower Hill has yet to receive a date from the Coroner, and the details we have received from the Police before the inquest are necessarily rather vague.

We have also received funding to carry out Quality Monitoring work. In effect this is a method of bringing the Network as a whole up to standard. Unfortunately we were the last Borough in London to receive our report from the independent auditors (last week). Quality Monitoring involves an official Consultation process which will involve the Wheelers, but if I can pre-empt this slightly by asking you now if there is anything you think particularly needs attention in the Borough - then get in touch as soon as possible (see contact details below). The funding is in two tranches over the next two years' and what we are aiming to do is the slightly simpler things this year, and perhaps the more complicated things (with necessarily longer lead-in times) next year.

At the present time we have not received precise confirmation from the LCN as to which schemes have received what level of funding for next year. In addition to the A11 and Quality Monitoring we have bid for funds to develop a scheme along Grove Road and Burdett Road. This may seem strange given that we are developing the Sustrans scheme up through Mile End Park but this is being developed purely as a Leisure Route and I believe commuter cyclists will require a far more direct route. The Sustrans route as a whole can be seen in green on the Map, and beginning from the Foot Tunnel connects Millwall, Mile End, and Victoria Parks by the use of towpaths and the new Canary Riverside.

Personally I feel the current level of consultation between the Borough and the Wheelers are relatively healthy. I meet Gary quite regularly, and last week we all had a meeting with the Traffic Director regarding the A11. I should have attended the Wheelers meeting on Wednesday 26th January by the time you read this, but I intend to attend periodically thereafter. So if you're outraged by anything I've had to say, and feel you can't express this through phone or letter - take advantage. In addition any ideas you have for Quality Monitoring will be gratefully considered.

Mark Butland and myself pressed the need to build in provision for cycles and pedestrians, that means expensive street engineering. We highlighted problems like Aldgate gyratory, and Tower Hill. Both of these sites are due to receive attention in the future. I was promised that by April this year, the Royal Mint Street end of the Cable Street route will not expire as it presently does, leaving the west-bound cyclist stranded and facing oncoming traffic. A toucan crossing will take westbound bikes across Mansell Street into Shorter Street. Southbound bikes will have a separate bus/cycle lane leading onto Tower Bridge. Eastbound cycles from Tower Hill have a harder time, and will still have to travel around the gyratory there, not very good at all. Aldgate gyratory is less satisfactory. There will be advanced stoplines at most of the junctions, but despite our requests, no satisfactory answer has been suggested as yet to assist cycles travelling east and being at risk from cars heading north, requiring drivers to weave across four/five lanes when heading towards Commercial Street.

The witless and misguided MP had put forward a Ten-Minute Rule Bill to be read on November 2nd, with the wording "That leave be given to bring a Bill to require cyclists to wear protective headgear; and for connected purposes". Following a meeting with the CTC the Bill has been changed to read "to promote the wearing of protective headgear by cyclists; and for connected purposes".

Stuart Reid, campaigns manager of CTC, Britain's national cycling organisation, welcomed the news. He said: " We feel that any attempt to force the use of cycle helmets using legislation would be misguided and damaging.