Kissing bikes.
Walking and cycling – tell them!
East Sussex County Council would like to hear your views about Hastings’ draft Walking and Cycling strategy, according to which a network of walking and cycle routes across the town is planned to encourage short local journeys on foot and by bike, especially journeys to work, school and shopping facilities, writes HOT’s Chris Cormack.
You can complete the online survey or come along to a consultation in the Priory Meadow Shopping Centre in Hastings. Staff from East Sussex County Council and Hastings Borough Council will be available to discuss the strategy, supported by representatives from Hastings Urban Bikes (HUB) and the Ramblers. HUB promotes cycling in Hastings and St Leonards, campaigns for better cycling provision in our town and organises practical activities like rides, festivals and training. Sustrans will also be represented and bike maintenance will be available outside the shopping centre.
A range of walking and cycle-related measures for Hastings are identified in the Local Transport Plan which include:
- a focus on improvements and safety of key walking routes in Hastings;
- cycle route networks for Hastings which focus on key routes into the town centre and along the sea-front, and provide links to existing and future residential and employment areas; and
- measures to improve traffic movements and access by foot, bike and public transport in Hastings town centre.
The strategy indicates that, with the growing popularity of cycling, following British successes at the Tour de France, Olympics and Paralympics, and the proven health
image: Hastings Urban Bikes (HUB)
benefits that regular walking provides, it is a timely opportunity to introduce walking and cycling improvements to the town.
The Local Transport Plan recognises Hastings as a priority area for investment and describes the way walking and cycling proposals can support the local economy in Hastings by tackling congestion on the local road network and unlocking development sites for suitable bike and pedestrian access.
The strategy also points to a strong partnership base of local authority partners, the voluntary sector and local walking and cycling groups, who are committed to collaborating in order to attract investment and support delivery.
Come along to consultation in the Priory Meadow Shopping Centre in Hastings on Saturday, 18 January 2014 between 10am and 2pm. Also come and meet fellow cyclists upstairs at the Jenny Lind pub on Saturday 18 January 2014 at 7.30pm for the HUB New Year party.
If you’re enjoying HOT and would like us to continue providing fair and balanced reporting on local matters please consider making a donation. Click here to open our PayPal donation link. Thank you for your continued support!
3 Comments
Also in: Home Ground
« Business urged to support pierFlood warning »
Hastings Greenway Group:
The intention is very much for the greenway to be for everyone, but put of the purpose of this consultation is for people to give feedback for what they want for the greenway.
Please come to the consultation to make your views known.
Alternatively, you can join the greenway group and help make things happen.
For more info see:
http://www.hastingsgreenway.org
http://www.facebook.com/HastingsGreenway
Comment by Tony — Friday, Jan 17, 2014 @ 17:41
This would have more force if it acknowledged the importance of walking, and worked for a good balance between walking and cycling where help for cyclists is never at the expense of walkers.
Comment by Bea — Tuesday, Jan 14, 2014 @ 12:45
Sarah Macbeth HUB Secretary wrote in as follows:
Thanks very much for writing the article about the Walking and Cycling strategy for Hastings.
We want as many cyclists to come down with their bikes, especially at 12:30pm for a photo call. Would you be able to add this detail to the article in the hope we get more people?
We’d like to get some publicity from the day (we’ve been in touch with the local Observer as they are keen to support the Greenway). Maybe someone from HOT would be able to come down to Priory Meadow and take some photos or interview cyclists, council staff etc?
Hope to see you and others at the New Year Party.
Comment by Chris Cormack — Friday, Jan 10, 2014 @ 22:45