The recent reversal of the Emergency Active Travel Fund measures, has highlighted the need for proper consultation and long term planning approach to cycle infrastructure design and build. The IWC, with government funding, proposed a number of small local schemes in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, only for them to be cancelled a few days later.
Some of the schemes proposed by the IWC were so far removed from the schemes desired by cyclists as to be meaningless. Very short, isolated sections of cycle lane that fail to form part of a coherent cycling network do not serve the needs of cyclists and where there is no clear rationale for such measures in cycling terms, it is hard to put a positive case for such measures to residents and local businesses.
The Beckford Rd scheme in Cowes is a case in point. CycleWight has long campaigned for a contra-flow cycle lane along Birmingham Rd as part of a vision to create a joined up route between the Red Jet and the start of the cycle path on Arctic Rd and onward to Newport. This scheme advocated by CW was one of their many proposals to IWC. It was replaced by the misguided Beckford Rd project – a scheme that made no sense to CW, who were not consulted on it and did not support it.
The fact remains that a safe and convenient route between the Red Jet, Cowes town centre and the cycle path at Arctic Road is essential if we are to make the most of the cycling link to Newport and to encourage more people to take to their bikes - something that is universally recognised as good for people’s health, the environment and the public purse. CycleWight urges the IWC to address this need in a coherent way and to show long term commitment to finding a solution.
Some of the Emergency Active Travel schemes were supported by CW and are disappointed that they are not going to be progressed using the current funding. The scheme to limit traffic along Little London would have had major benefits for people cycling and walking on what is an important recreational and commuter route.
CW has always sought to engage with the IWC and contribute ideas and resources to improving conditions for people who want to cycle. We have written our own Cycling Strategy and have contributed to the Council’s Local Walking and Cycling Infrastructure Plan. But while the Council has adopted these plans, at present there is a lack of financial commitment or policy to seeing them realised.
We support the introduction of new, high quality cycling infrastructure that makes a genuine difference to the quality of the cycling experience and other measures, such as 20mph urban speed limits, that give people who want to cycle a safe environment in which to do so. To achieve these goals, the IWC needs to adopt a long-term strategy for cycling and show the commitment and leadership to see plans realised.
