Tower Hamlets Wheelers
NEWS RELEASE 11 December 2002
For immediate release
Ref THW13Xmaspotholes111202
Christmas tree planted in pot-hole highlights road surface hazards for
cyclists
This morning (11 December) the Tower Hamlets Wheelers (1) staged a stunt by
'planting' a Christmas tree, decorated with twinkling bike lights, in a
pot-hole in Brick Lane, to highlight the hazard that road surface defects
pose to cyclists.
Photos can be downloaded from http://www.towerhamletswheelers.org.uk/media/potholes/photos021211.html as
of 10:30 hrs today.
The extent of the pot-hole (2) problem was illustrated by a survey carried
out this month by the Wheelers on local cyclists (3), which found that:
Over three quarters (77%) of respondents encounter pot holes 'often', 'all
the time' or 'on every trip' when cycling in Tower Hamlets;
85% of respondents had been 'caught by surprise' and 'distracted' by a pot
hole and 39% reported that a pot hole had affected the load they were
carrying;
39% of respondents' bicycles had been damaged by a pot-hole and 16% had
actually been thrown from their bike;
Over half (54%) of respondents had reported a pot hole to Tower Hamlets
Council and over half of them (57%) described the length of time between
reporting and repair as 'unreasonable', with two respondents reporting that
the hole had never been repaired.
"We shouldn't have to report pot-holes to ensure that they are fixed - the
council should be vigilant and ensure that our roads are always in a safe
condition for cyclists and other road users," says Owen Pearson, Wheelers
Co-ordinator.
"Heavy traffic, the volume of traffic, repeated unco-ordinated road works
and a lack of 'quality control' and accountability by utility companies are
all to blame for causing the sorry state of our roads. However, the
authority responsible for highway maintenance should make every effort to
repair this damage promptly, especially when members of the public have
reported the defect. If continental countries can achieve nice smooth roads
why can't Britain?"
The Wheelers suggest to the council that the budget currently spent on
'guard rails' to pen in pedestrians, which cause a hazard to cyclists and
make the street environment less appealing and convenient to those on foot,
should be diverted to pay for better road repair.
"We are pleased that Westferry Road, E14 is at last going to be totally
resurfaced and hope that the works to be done on Brick Lane will result in a
much safer and more pleasant road surface for cyclists," says Owen Pearson.
Some survey respondents experienced difficulties with the council's
reporting system, and the full survey results will be passed on to the
officer responsible for road defect repair at the council (4).
ENDS
more information: Alix Stredwick 020 7241 2111 or 020 7275 9900 or home: 020
8880 6873
(NB Please do not phone 07712 471411 as this number is no longer available)
Notes
(1) The Tower Hamlets Wheelers is the local cycle action group in the east
London Borough of Tower Hamlets, campaigning for better cycling facilities
and encouraging more people to cycle - for health, the environment and for
London. The Wheelers are affiliated to the London Cycling Campaign, the
largest urban cycling campaign in the world.
(2) For the rest of this news release, 'pot-hole' refers to any road surface
defect.
(3) The survey was sent round on the Wheelers email list, which is open to
all cyclists whether they are Wheelers/LCC members or not. The list
currently contains 70 subscribers, 13 of which responded (an 18% response
rate).
(4) pot holes should be reported to: Dave Wigmore
dave.wigmore@towerhamlets.gov.uk
(5) The survey found no problems with pot holes or repair of pot holes on
roads in Tower Hamlets for which Transport for London has responsibility.
TfL roads are the large main 'arterial' roads in London, and In Tower
Hamlets include Commercial Road and Mile End Road.
Tower Hamlets Wheelers
wheelers@towerhamletswheelers.org.uk
www.towerhamletswheelers.org.uk
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