TCF (Transforming Cities Fund) Schemes 

BHAT have attended two TCF Teams on-line meetings with the Transforming Travel team since our last forum meeting in June.  Marc Griffin, who is the Programme Manager for the TCF programme here in Dorset updated the Forum during the BHAT quarterly Zoom, a copy of his presentation is attached.

The first meeting on 11^th May 2021 was for the TCF team to respond to our formal response to the consultations.  Our response focused on areas such as shared use paths, junctions and links, buffers, lighting, and coloured surfaces.  We also discussed the latest comments on the work starting at Twin Sails bridge and Hamworthy.  Concern was raised over the light segregation; essentially the cycle lane still being in the gutter with drains and subject to gravel and stones distributed (especially in the corners) by HGVs.  The TCF team responded to each query with a view to ‘take on board’ concerns.  Nothing was agreed. 

The second TCF Teams on-line meeting on 14^th September 2021 was as part of the ‘Programme Steering Group’ (PGS) which is group of stakeholders including the bus and rail companies, the university and hospitals, various BID (commercial organisations) and BHAT.  The group is privy to more of the detail and the negotiations involved in trying to get the TCF schemes on the ground.  It’s during these meetings that one appreciates the mammoth task the TCF team has on delivering the schemes on the ground – land acquisitions and land use issues, councillor and resident resistance, traffic management, constant reports to be filed and monitoring by the DfT etc.  

Part of the mission of the PSG is to help work on a positive image of the TCF schemes.  They are looking for a diverse range of people to get across a positive message.  

TCF team asked for BHAT volunteers for video blogs/written blogs/photo opportunities etc.  The following BHAT Forum members volunteered as follows:

Lucie Allen – Upper Gardens video blog (now completed)

Jason Falconer – Hamorthy/Twin Sails 

Simon Western – Glenfurness

John Holloway – Glenfurness

John Grantham – cargo bike blog (general)

Marc Woodall – cargo bike blog (with child?) 

Could these members please email Claire Clark (TCF Management Team) 

Claire.clark@bcpcouncil.gov.uk with their contact details, thank you.

Councillor Invitation to Cycle Around Poole Towne Centre

I invited the Portfolio Holder for Transport, Council Leader and Deputy to cycle with me to Poole to look at how the Dolphin Centre, the railway, bus station and George Roundabout sever Poole in two, creating a pretty non-penetrable barrier to the new TCF schemes in Wimborne Road and Longfleet Road. We were joined by Senior Officer Beth Barker Stock. Taking them all on a little jaunt to see how people get about (lack of dropped kerbs, poor signage, no signage, on and off and on your bike throughout the various lengths of Poole High Street) was worth a million emails. All the councillors agreed that improvements could be made as part of the regeneration of Poole scheme.   I was also concerned about CGI images of large blocks of flats with shared paths in front – particularly on the power station site. I’ve since followed up and have had assurance from the Portfolio Holder for Regeneration (Cllr Broadhead) that all the regen schemes for Poole will absolutely have active travel at the heart of them.  We will continue to keep an eye out.

Supporting BCP Council Transforming Travel Posts on Social Media and Press

BHAT have been supporting BCP in sending in formal responses to all consultations, in particular, with regards to supporting proposed LTN schemes,  sharing Transforming Travel blogs and press releases, and providing positive comments.  Posts are shared on our FB group page and in the wider community.  The team have expressed their thanks to BHAT members for the positive comments and posts on social media.

I have been asked to make some statements for the press, resulting in two articles in the Bournemouth Echo: one about supporting the Barrack Road scheme and the other about road safety in general.  

Removal of Physical Barriers

 I have been in discussion with BCP Council and Sustrans about removing barriers to cycling, particularly along the Castleman Trailway – both myself and our Cycling Officer have been stuck there recently.  If you are aware of any barriers on cycle routes that are causing difficulty, particularly with cargo bikes, trikes, trailers, recumbent bikes, please do take a photo and send to me or post on the FB group and we’ll compile a list.  I am told there are several due to be removed imminently.

Boscombe Overcliff

BHAT member Marc Woodall recently forwarded the council (via BHAT) a well thought out and illustrated proposal including filtering and cycle lane options for the Boscombe Overcliff.  Cllrs Broadhead and Greene responded to say that they would prefer to find solutions to the Promenade as funding was more likely and filtering the cliff top was not an option.  Thank you, Marc, for your input, it’s important to keep asking for schemes and improvements as ideas can sow seeds.

Secure Cycle Storage

I have been forwarding the Council information on secure bike storage schemes such as Dutch lockers/lift systems and repurposed retail units such as at Crowngate shopping centre in Worcester , and the Seven Dials Cycle Hub in London.  This has paid off!  Meetings have now been arranged with a view to a cycle storage facility in the Dolphin Centre (BHAT attending) and I am pressing the council for similar facilities in Bournemouth, Boscombe and Christchurch.

Draft Seafront Strategy

I have sent in a formal response to the Draft Seafront Strategy team on behalf of BHAT, requesting a long-term solution for a coastal cycle link (Promenade) but to also include a ‘Tourist Trail’ (similar idea to the Camel Trail) around the whole of Poole Harbour, along the seafront and on to Christchurch.