Tower Hamlets Wheelers Meeting Minutes – November 2020
Held online via Zoom
Wednesday 11th November 2020 at 19:30
Attendees –Nathan, Keith, Julie, Luc, Joel, Owen, Neil, Terry, Mark, Andy, Ross, Helen, Christy, Dan, David, Richard, Rachel, Iain
Apologises –
Whitechapel
- Julie & Iain attended an early-engagement meeting with the Liveable Streets team where they were able to discuss ideas for how to improve the area for walking and cycling.
- There is an interactive map & survey to respond to at https://talk.towerhamlets.gov.uk/lswhitechapel
- ACTION – Dan to reach out to Jonathan Kelly from Barts
- ACTION – Ross to send other contact to Dan so there is one point of contact.
- Early-engagement closes on 22nd November 2020.
Old Ford West
- Due to lockdown measures we are unable to leaflet in person or go door-knocking to campaign.
- Our campaign will mainly have to be based online and there is a WhatsApp group of residents set up for those that wish to join it to share strategy.
- We believe Old Ford West Liveable Streets scheme should be going to public consultation in the near future.
Streetspace for London
- As the temporary measures in Brick Lane came to a close on the 6th November, the council are asking for feedback on those temporary measures.
- Brick Lane, survey closes 29th November.
- We suggest you also to write to the following individuals for Brick Lane: the Mayor, Cllr Dan Tomlinson, Cllr Motin Uz-Zaman, Cllr Abdal Ullah, Cllr Shad Chowdhury, and Cllr Leema Qureshi
- https://talk.towerhamlets.gov.uk/streetspace/survey_tools/brick-lane-survey
- Derbyshire Street and Hague Street, 18 month trial to reduce the amount of through traffic and make it more pleasant for residents and visitors.
- A modal filter which is made up of some planters & a wobbly bollard which allows emergency vehicles through has been installed.
- https://talk.towerhamlets.gov.uk/streetspace/survey_tools/derbyshire-street
Bow
- Public consultation should be going to the next cabinet meeting.
- Email Mayor John Biggs (john.biggs@towerhamlets.gov.uk) & Kyrsten Perry, Mayor’s Walking & Cycling Champion (Kyrsten.Perry@towerhamlets.gov.uk) to state why you are against residents exemptions.
- Blog post from Better Streets for Tower Hamlets https://betterstreetsfortowerhamlets.wordpress.com/2020/10/
Bethnal Green
- Work at Arnold Circus has paused temporarily whilst the council further discusses with local residents about the plans.
- Once scheme is complete, we should look to hold some form of celebration event (lockdown rules permitting). To be discussed in further detail at future meetings.
Tower Hamlets Budget Consultation
- The council have put out a consultation around budget proposals
- We should put a response in as a community group. Email thread to go round with suggestions.
- https://talk.towerhamlets.gov.uk/budget?utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=s...
- Closes 9th December 2020.
AGM
- We can hold our AGM in either January or February which would give us plenty of time to advertise it and perhaps look to invite a speaker.
Cycle Buddies
- Currently have 9 experienced riders signed up and 9 new/returning riders.
- ACTION – Iain to email round posters which people can print off
- ACTION – Iain to reach out to Bikeability in Tower Hamlets (ran by Bikeworks) to see how best we can complement each other.
- https://www.towerhamletswheelers.org.uk/tower-hamlets-cycle-buddies
Events
- Looking to revive ‘The Shuffle’ event in Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park with initial thought to holding the event in March 2021.
- Would be a 2 day event. Public would be invited to come in on Saturday & Sunday.
- Richard will be writing a piece for Friends of Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park newsletter
- Wheelers could look to host a Dr Bike at the event.
Email Groups
- Yahoo is switching off email groups so that we will have to move.
- Proposal is to move across to Google Groups.
- This has to be done before the end of the month. Owen to action.
Cycle Parking
- Mark has been in touch with Rob Morton (Cycling Officer) and they are looking at installing a cycle hanger on the street.
- Concerns about how much of the pavement would be covered by any cycle hanger as the pavements are very narrow.
AOB
- Remembering Svitlana Tereschenko and others at Bow roundabout. There is a small vigil taking place at the memorial bike which will start from 5pm on Sunday 15th November. All are welcome to attend.
- https://www.towerhamletswheelers.org.uk/news/tags/bow-roundabout
Next Meeting – Wednesday 9th December 2020, 7.30-9pm, The Cabin, St Margaret’s House, Old Ford Road, E2 9PL or via Zoom if lockdown is in place. Email or contact on Social Media to receive the invite link to the Zoom meeting.
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