Month: March 2012

A question was asked at the Elmbridge Local Committee meeting on 28th November 2011:

Question 3 : Dave Arnold
Can the Local Committee confirm that the chicanes removed from Oatlands Drive will not be replaced after the Olympics?

The Chairman will give the following response:

The chicanes were removed for the Olympic Test Event that took place on 14th August this year. There is a requirement from LOCOG that the road is to be clear of chicanes again during the men and women?s road races in 2012.

The intention is to put back a temporary measure at the two ends of the build out locations. The temporary measure is a slimmer version of the original build out, but is bolted down and can therefore be removed easily before the events in July 2012.

SCC are currently working with the Police, Road Safety Officers and Local Members to come up with a long term solution which helps reduce the speed of traffic but does not discourage cycling in Oatlands Drive.

Nonsense
This is, of course, nonsense. The coucil has not reinstated anything, and nor will they between now and July. This statement is patently wrong.

Apparently the verbal response at the meeting was that the chicanes would not be reinstated at all. Despite this the above statement was approved as an accurate minute of the meeting.

I wouldn’t be suprised if the chicanes are reinstated after the Olympics. Watch this space…

The next Elmbridge Cycle Group bike ride will be this Sunday 11th March at 11am.

The route this month will be relatively short at 18 miles, and will head eastwards through Chertsey to St Anne’s Hill, then on to Egham before circling back though Thorpe, along the Monks Path which lead to Chertsey Abbey and then back to Weybridge. Lunch, for those that want it, will be at the Hand & Spear on return to Weybridge. See below for details of the River Wey Action Day event that will follow on after lunch.

The route is mainly on quiet roads, however there will be a couple of off-road sections (Chertsey Meads and Monks Path) but not any deep mud or serious potholes. The planned route map is here: http://bit.ly/wFkI0Z

The start will be at the usual place, outside the Hand and Spear pub near Weybridge Station at 11am. If you want to come, just turn up.

The next ride after this will be on Sunday 8th April, which is Easter Sunday.

River Wey Action Day, This Sunday, 11th March

Following up on last month’s successful action day, there will be another one this Sunday. It will start at 2:30pm at Seven Arches Approach which is round the back of Weybridge Station. The main activity will be clearing fallen branches and debris that has cluttered the paths between Weybridge Station and Brooklands. This is a great way to use a couple of spare hours and really makes a difference to the attractiveness and accessibility of this previously neglected area.

Chobham Ride, Sunday 25th March

This is a plug for a ride organised by Evans Cycles in two weeks time. It’s part of their popular Ride It! series and comprises a marked route of 15, 30, 60 or 90 miles. They charge £12.50 but the rides are well organised and they provide plenty of refreshment stations and mechanical support, so the cost is well worth it. I believe that our neighbours, the Woking Cycle Users, are planning to turn out in force for this one, so I think we ought to make a good showing ourselves. If you want to take part please book yourself on at their website http://bit.ly/yXEgGo and meet at the Chobham start point at 09:00am. Let me know if you sign up, I’ll make sure we don’t leave without you.