- Welcome & introductions
Present: Gavin Clark (GC) (Chair), Rachel Martin (RM), Fiona McDonald (FM), Francesco Sani (FS), Martin Sharman (MS)
Apologies: Alastair Cassels, Linda Moreno Sanchez
- Note of previous meeting (November)
Accepted
- Contact with Aberdeen City Council
1. No recent meetings with Councillors. Feb meeting postponed until 7th March.
2. South Harbour / Hareness Rd scheme
GC & RM met with ACC engineers. Bus stop design at present is not compliant with Cycle by Design standards. Despite our representations they have purposely chosen the design which is least favourable to cyclists. There may be an opportunity to object at a later planning stage, and we can also raise at the March liaison meeting.
3. NZET paper on schools Active Travel
GC summarised the Council paper. There were 2 deputations to the Council meeting from parents (Ferryhill and Glashieburn) on the specific topic of School Streets. The result of the meeting was positive – schools will be invited to apply. Active School Travel.pdf
Hazlehead Academy – New School Design consultation. GC and FM have submitted comments individually via the public consultation. Not sufficient bike sheds and not located in accessible, convenient, secure place. FM has sent Sustrans document on cycle parking provision for schools. There should be further opportunities to comment as the design progresses.
4. ACTUP (next meeting 13 Feb)
GC was unable to attend the last meeting.
- Consultations
- National speed limit review
Scottish Government has a proposal to reduce speed limit on all single-carriageway A roads from 60mph to 50mph across the country. GC encouraged members to look at the proposals. To be discussed further at Feb meeting (deadline 5 March). GC has also sought input from Cycling UK via the CAN group (Cycle Advocacy Network). National Speed Management Review – Scottish Government consultations – Citizen Space
2. A96 Dualling
GC has been invited to attend a meeting about A96 this Thursday. Looks like full dualling is unlikely to go ahead, although it is currently still ScotGov’s decided position. Other alternatives now being looked at include improvements to public transport, bypasses for Keith and Elgin, high quality active travel routes within communities (not between communities). Individuals can also respond (deadline 21 Feb) A96 Corridor Review | Transport Scotland
3. Local Development Plan Aberdeen City
Main issues stage – comments can be submitted Aberdeen City DPS 2024.pdf
- Events & activities:
- ArtRoots project
RM reported that the new mural has been painted but unfortunately the previous mural was grafitti’d at the same time. The artist is hoping to repair the previous one in the next month or so.
Community Garden, by mural – has received money from Just Transition fund – some of which will be spent on cycle stands.
- New ideas for this year?
MS still keen to organise some rides
Parkride at Hazlehead?
FM suggested organising a “pedal on parliament” ride once the election is announced from Duthie Park via the new cycle path up to Marischal College. MS has set up routes on Kommute with rides – to share the links.
MS suggested organising a networking event for cycle-related organisations and businesses.
GC wondered about a film night or an election hustings?
- Membership system update
The new system seems to have worked OK. 70 people have joined up so far in addition to the 180 or so that were already on the Award Force’s database. So approx. 50% of original membership.
GC to send out a newsletter including a reminder to encourage sign ups using old mailing list too. We will send at least 2 more reminders before we cease to use the old version of the membership list.
Received about £70 in donations this month.
AOCB
Analysis
FS suggested that ACF write an article analysing an aspect of a cycling issue or issue(s) pertaining to the local area or Scotland for publication in eg Cycling UK. GC suggested FS write a blog for the website. FS is thinking of working up a blog looking at the respective levels of investment in active travel in Netherlands vs UK.
Public liability Insurance renewal – quote is £289 for this year (similar to current year). There was a discussion about whether to renew immediately or delay until an event is planned. GC prefers to renew as instigating the policy was a bit of work to set up. Meantime Cycling UK have moved their preferred insurer to a new provider, so it may be worth seeing if they can also provide the type of cover we need, and check pricing for comparison.
Closure of Deeside Line at Peterculter – GC has asked Council why the Deeside Line is still closed 2 months after the expected completion date? ACC still haven’t replied. [Post-script: ACC now say it is expected to open imminently ‘around the end of January’]
Winter treatment
Deeside Line was extremely icy for several days after most other roads and pavements were clear. ACC has said in the past that it is not a statutory route and therefore they do not have an obligation to treat it.
New cycle shelters outside tower blocks on Ellon Rd now jam-packed with bikes reported MS.
Drop kerb request to the Council for joining the cycle path at Grantham Drive by MS – work has now been completed. MS agreed to write up the process and outcome as a blog for the website.
Date of next meeting Tues 25th February
Aberdeen Cycle Forum 