Six more streets to get contraflows

Cambridgeshire County Council is planning to add ‘cycle contraflows’ to six more city streets, enabling cyclists to ride both ways up otherwise one-way streets. The Cambridge News reports that Panton Street, Trafalgar Street, Ross Street, Springfield Road, Mercers Row and Belgrave Road are all proposed for the treatment. The Cambridge Cycling Campaign has welcomed the proposal, which will go before a council committee next Tuesday.

Wye Valley cyclepath lives again

The Holy Grail of a cycleway up the beautiful Wye Valley could be in sight once again – now that local cyclists have revived the campaign to use an old railway trackbed.

For many years, Sustrans – backed by strong local support – had ambitions to create a cycleway up the valley from Chepstow to Tintern along the course of the former railway. It took a lease on the derelict trackbed, and lined up the project as one of its Lottery-funded Connect2 schemes.

Unfortunately, Monmouthshire County Council failed to approve the planning application in 2010, following pressure from a small number of local residents concerned about parking. The Connect2 funding was subsequently spent elsewhere. Since then, a landslide by Tidenham Tunnel has made construction of the cycleway more difficult still.

Undaunted, a group of local cyclists, walkers and environmentalists are reviving the campaign. Their petition has garnered nearly 2,200 signatures. Jennifer Goslin of Transition Chepstow explains:

“We now have the support of the National Diving and Activity Centre, who are in the process of taking over the lease from Sustrans for the section from Sedbury to Netherhope Lane owned by Network Rail. The Tidenham and Sedbury cubs and scout groups have agreed to clear the section of line from Sedbury to the NDAC.

“Sustrans themselves have no resources to pursue this project, and have instead directed funding over to paths on the Gwent Levels, the Welsh Valleys and Newport. They are however willing to help wth providing information to assist us.”

The next step will be to resubmit the planning  application to Forest of Dean and Monmouthshire councils. The campaigners expect to meet with the Forest planning officers this month to discuss the scheme.

As well as being popular with local cyclists, the route could attract cycle tourers seeking to avoid the busy A466 up the Wye Valley – scene of several accidents over the years. The Wye Valley’s picturesque nature made it a favourite of 19th century day-trippers, not least to see the ruins of Tintern Abbey.

You can add your support by signing the petition at 38degrees.

Just what you need for autumn: a bike rain cover

Autumn is, sad to say, definitely on the way. Next time the weather forecast promises showers, consider the Dryve rain cover – a semicircular hood that fixes to your handlebars and the back of your saddle. That does, of course, mean that the sides are exposed, but it could be a neat solution for short-distance commutes. When it’s not in use, it rolls up into a compact stuff-sack. Unveiled at the Eurobike show this summer, it’ll cost around £100 though no UK distributor has yet been announced.

Cycle touring festival lined up for May 2015

The inaugural ‘Cycle Touring Festival’ has been announced for the weekend of 2-3 May 2015.

In an age when organised cycling events are more and more common, not least the endless sportive calendar and numerous local cycling festivals, the relaxed art of cycle touring has been a notable omission. The CTC’s long-standing York Rally was last held in 2012.

The new event will take place at Waddow Hall in Clitheroe, Lancashire – a picturesque location on the banks of the River Ribble. The organisers explain:

“We've been busy putting together the programme of events and can promise that the festival will have an exciting line-up. There will be talks from intrepid cycle tourists to inspire you, workshops on all things bike-related, and the latest bicycles and kit to try out. Above all, it will be a chance for cycle tourists to get together, share knowledge, plan future trips and have a jolly good time.”

They’re also keen to hear ideas from prospective attendees: “Whether you want a weekend filled with talks and films, or prefer a weekend of cycling with like-minded folk, get in touch with your thoughts.”

Overall, the festival aims to bring together existing cycle tourists and encourage new people to try it. You can find out more at the event website.

Tunnel thumbs-up brings Scottish C2C closer

Scotland’s own Coast-to-Coast cycle route has moved a step closer, with the thumbs-up for a railway path to bypass a dangerous stretch of road.

The path, west of Peebles, will pass through a disused tunnel and over a historic viaduct to avoid the busy A72 road. The railway east of the town has already been converted into a cycle path by the Upper Tweed Railway Paths group, which is also promoting this latest section. When completed, the path will link with quiet roads at either end.

In particular, it will form part of the new ‘Scottish C2C’, a 111-mile route from the Solway Firth to Edinburgh devised by Sustrans founder John Grimshaw and experienced bike route surveyor David Gray. They describe the proposed new path as “the most valuable section of all because it bypasses the winding main road, on which a cyclist was killed in 2006”.

At a planning meeting on Monday, local councillors approved the scheme to create a cycleway between Peebles and Lyne Station, where the route will pass onto minor roads. According to the Southern Reporter, planning officer Derek Inglis noted:

“This is a good news story. The A72 for cyclists, particularly west of Peebles, is treacherous.”

Neidpath Tunnel and Viaduct will form the centrepiece of the new route. The tunnel has already been surveyed by local cyclists (pictured) but will require a bat licence before it can be opened to the public.

Future work is likely to focus on providing an alternative to the next section of road going south, the B712.