Weekend Listening - On the latest edition of the Fiets Podcast, I talk about the evident silos and divisions that exist in Warwickshire County Council, including with councillors, and how these appear to hold back even tiny improvements for active travel

https://fiets.uk/2023-03-10/fiets-podcast-010-silos-in-warwickshire?m2

#ActiveTravel #Cycling #Warwickshire_CC #WarwickshireCountyCouncil #Warwickshire #Podcast

#WarwickshireCountyCouncil is spinning its score as a success, but I disagree. The majority of local authorities in England scored either Level 1 or 2, with the higher score still shared by 30% of LAs.

The neighbouring #WestMidlands Combined Authority scored Level 3 - that is something to shout about!

https://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/news/article/4021/warwickshire-s-active-travel-capability-and-ambition-rated-strong

#Cycling #ActiveTravel #WMCA #WestMidlandsCombinedAuthority

Just seen the #ActiveTravelEng ratings for local authority plans, where #Warwickshire_CC has scored a (perhaps surprising) Level 2.

Funnily enough this comes on the day my next podcast comes out where I rant about the Council's poor consideration for cycling (stay tuned).

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/local-authority-active-travel-capability-ratings/local-authority-active-travel-capability-ratings-accessible-version#local-authority-ratings

#Cycling #WarwickshireCountyCouncil

Another round of asking nicely from #WarwickshireCountyCouncil
which the problem selfish, antisocial drivers will ignore, assuming they're even aware in the first place.

https://warwickshire.gov.uk/news/article/3972/kids-need-clean-air-drivers-asked-to-switch-off-their-engines-when-parked-waiting-or-stationary

#Warwickshire #Idling #AirPollution #WCCSafe_Active #Warwickshire_CC

This is good, but imagine how much more it could be with real infrastructure. It takes time + money to develop of course, and #WarwickshireCountyCouncil does have schemes long in the pipeline. But it needs to move faster, get planned routes built, and develop supporting measures such as #SchoolStreets, #LTNs to make #activeTravel more attractive. For many routes, road traffic is too intimidating to ask people to start #cycling - particularly for trips involving children.

https://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/news/article/3872/over-29-tonnes-of-carbon-saved-by-cyclists-in-warwickshire-

#WarwickshireCountyCouncil are running #DrBike sessions across the county this spring. If your cycle needs a check-up, put a session in your calendar!

- 13 Mar, 9am to 2pm: Atherstone Leisure Centre
- 6 Apr, 9:30am - 12pm: Nuneaton, Pingles Leisure Centre
- 6 Apr, 1:30pm - 4pm: Bedworth Leisure Centre
- 10 May, 9:30am - 12pm: Leamington Spa, Newbold Comyn Leisure Centre
- 10 May, 1:30pm - 4:30pm: Leamington Spa, St Nicholas Park Leisure Centre

https://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/news/article/3797/free-dr-bike-sessions-are-coming-to-a-town-near-you-this-spring

#Cycling

Wondering if this could this be a source of funding for #WarwickshireCountyCouncil to trial some #SchoolStreets schemes in the county. It would seem to fit the remit of providing safer routes to school, at least based on this press release.

I've asked the question.

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/200-million-to-improve-walking-and-cycling-routes-and-boost-local-economies

#Cycling #Warwickshire #Warwickshire_CC

It's been over a year since #WarwickshireCountyCouncil last gave an update on the #A47 #LongShoot Cycle Scheme in #Nuneaton, with the project subject to delays. Now, the Council has provided further comment on progress in response to a new request for information.

More: https://fiets.uk/2023-02-02/the-long-wait-for-the-long-shoot-cycle-scheme

#Warwickshire_CC #Cycling #Warwickshire

Warwickshire County Council is establishing its Sustainable Futures Strategy, focusing on tackling #ClimateChange and the #BiodiversityCrisis - and it needs your views!

The survey is running to 15 January 2023. If you're in the county and want to feed in your comments, head over to:

https://ask.warwickshire.gov.uk/insights-service/sustainable-futures-strategy/

#Warwickshire #WarwickshireCountyCouncil #SustainableFuturesStrategy

#WarwickshireCountyCouncil are again asking nicely for people to park safely and considerately when driving on the #SchoolRun.

Asking nicely Does - Not - Work! Once again, I've commented on the lack of action in actually tackling the problem of dangerous and inconsiderate parking etc. around the school gates. I will keep pushing back against these messages which are, frankly, useless.

Excuse the Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/WCCSafeActiveTravel/videos/795357891545274/

#WCCSafe_Active

Good on these parents.

I try to take a similar approach at my Boy's school in #Warwickshire, though as it's often only me, the impact is limited, and people will just park in front of me anyway.

My years-long calls for #SchoolStreets are met with platitudes from #WarwickshireCountyCouncil
but no actual action - money is cited as one issue, of course. Meanwhile the problem worsens seemingly by the week, especially now the weather has turned.

https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/news/local-news/picketing-parents-say-its-only-7825129

Today is the last day of #WarwickshireCountyCouncil's consultation on the new #LocalTransportPlan.

If you're in #Warwickshire, please get your comments in. This is an important plan which should shape the direction of transport planning and policy over the coming years. It's especially important for #ActiveTravel and #PublicTransport as puts these firmly at the top of a transport hierarchy.

Take a view at my summary analysis and get your comments in today!

https://fiets.uk/2022-11-14/evaluating-warwickshires-local-transport-plan/

I'm on to the last little bits for reviewing the #LocalTransportPlan - then it's just tidying up the document, checking my summary points, and getting it sent in.

My last job before that is to look at the graphics used on the various documents. Have a look at this one. What does it say to you?

#Warwickshire #WarwickshireCountyCouncil

Getting towards the end of my review of the draft #LocalTransportPlan (at last). I wanted to highlight this paragraph as annother example of motor-centric language.

#WarwickshireCountyCouncil does (or should) have a direct influence on safety initiates for other forms or transport: providing high quality walking, cycling routes; using road design features to force drivers to slow and take care.

Roads are for everyone. Not just cars.

Still going through the #LocalTransportPlan - this is a big piece of work! I'm on to the Managing Space Strategy.

One statement which has jumped out at me suggests #WarwickshireCountyCouncil perhaps doesn't quite understand what #CarDependency is.

Car dependency *always* negatively affects people's lives and #WCC should work to reduce/eliminate it everywhere - rural and urban. There should always be another travel option besides driving.

#LTP #LTP4

This bit is better though:

"A more balanced transport network throughout the county, including more use of sustainable travel options, will benefit all Warwickshire’s transport users, including drivers, through reducing congestion."

#LocalTransportPlan #Warwickshire #WarwickshireCountyCouncil

I'm beginning to look at the #MotorVehicle Strategy part of the #LocalTransportPlan - and I can feel my blood pressure rising.

Just how awful and #carCentric is this line?

"Roads also provide a vital connection for those less able to use forms of transport other than cars."

Where exactly do people walk, wheel, and cycle? What do buses use? 🤦‍♂️

#Warwickshire #WarwickshireCountyCouncil #LTP

Still working through #Warwickshire's draft #LocalTransportPlan, having read the Core Document, #ActiveTravel Strategy, & #PublicTransport Strategy.

Lots to like, but also a number of issues. Two things keep coming up:

1. "Encourage" appears too often when "enable" must be the primary focus.

2. Use of language like "we will seek to" and "we will strive" instead of the more powerful "we will". This devalues commitments to near meaningless.

#SustainableTravel #LTP #WarwickshireCountyCouncil