Transport News October 2008
Film targets children at risk
A new road safety DVD has been launched to help reduce the high rate of young African-Caribbean pedestrians involved in road traffic accidents.
‘Inroads’ mixes safety messages with music and drama, and is being distributed to Hackney’s African communities.
Funded by Transport for London (TfL), it was launched by the Council at an event in the Geffrye Museum, Shoreditch, this month.
The DVD was produced after a 2007 report by the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine found young African-Caribbean pedestrians were more likely to be involved in road traffic accidents than their peers.
London Assembly chair Jennette Arnold; Hackney’s Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods, Cllr Alan Laing; and TfL Road Safety Transport Manager, Janet Kirrage met community representatives in September to discuss the issue. Cllr Laing said: “Our road safety team works hard in schools to promote its message in a variety of ways, from sport, to drama, to music and dance, as well as traditional methods.
“By joining forces with community groups we are seeking a different approach, with the aim of stopping this worrying trend in its tracks.”
Copies of the DVD are available free to any organisation working with black African children, and to parents or grandparents.
More information
For a copy call Sandra Agbabiaka on: 020 8356 8364; or email: sandra.agbabiaka@hackney.gov.uk.
School run’s ditching cars
Many more children are getting to school by bike, on foot or public transport than they did just three years ago, the latest figures reveal.
Transport for London’s (TfL) research suggests that school travel plans have helped reduce car journeys by 6.4 per cent – equivalent to 3.3million less car journeys every year.
The plans see each school develop a written document that outlines practical steps to help pupils travel safely in a way that benefits the environment and their own health.
By next year, all the capital’s schools are due to have a travel plan in place. It is estimated that this will result in six million fewer car journeys on London’s roads – reducing CO2 emissions by 3,803 tonnes every year.
David Rowe, from TfL’s Smarter Travel Unit, said: “Cutting the number of cars doing the school run helps cut local pollution and congestion as well as working more exercise into many children’s routines. Travel plans encourage schools to choose solutions that are best for them – whether that’s a walking campaign or a car sharing programme.”
More information
Resources for schools at: www.schooltravelplans.org.
New fine’s only fair
Fare dodgers will be given a £50 penalty next year if caught without a valid ticket for their journey.
From the 11 January, the fine will increase from £20 on buses, Tubes, DLR and London Overground. It is hoped the move will be a greater deterrent to fare evaders, who cost Londoners £70million a year. TfL will also offer an early payment incentive, which will reduce the fine to £25 if it is paid within 21 days.
Steve Burton, Tfl’s Director of Community Safety, Enforcement and Policing, said: “We know that our honest, fare paying passengers feel angry when they see others not paying for their journey and this should reassure them that we are tackling this issue head on.”
En route to extra buses
The number 30 bus has been awarded a two-year contract extension with East London Buses.
Proposals have been made to increase the frequency of the service, from Hackney to Marble Arch, so it runs every eight minutes all day, rather than just at peak times.
There are also proposals that the number 8 and N8 buses, which runs through Shoreditch, should terminate at Oxford Circus rather than Victoria. The withdrawn section would be replaced by extending another route.
From 2 November the number 78, which runs from Shoreditch High Street to Nunhead, will increase from six to eight buses per hour, during off-peak weekdays and Saturday shopping hours, and from four to five buses an hour in the evenings and on Sundays. Send comments on these proposals to: stengagement@tfl.gov.uk by 7 November.
Watching out for each other
A safety campaign has been launched by TfL, urging cyclists and motorists to watch out for each other.
The campaign tagline is: It’s easy to miss what you’re not looking for. Look out for cyclists.
It will be screened before some of the autumn’s most anticipated films including the new Bond adventure Quantum of Solace. The message will also be promoted in print and online, following a number of fatal cycling accidents in London in September.
This year, TfL has distributed 10,000 free Fresnel lenses to freight companies. The device can be attached to the left-hand wing mirror, allowing drivers a clearer view in what would normally be a blind spot.
It is also investing £3million in cycle training in 2008/09. For further details visit: www.tfl.gov.uk and click on cycling.
Cyclists learn from a driver's view
A Police road safety day gave cyclists crucial information that could save them from death or serious injury under the wheels of a lorry.
The event outside Kingsland Fire Station, E8, aimed to educate cyclists about the dangers of turning lorries – if a bike is on the nearside of a lorry when it changes direction, drivers cannot always see them.
Cyclists were invited to position their bikes alongside a stationary lorry, then sit inside the cab to see the driver’s view.
PS Richard Golding said: “Last year half of all cyclists killed on the streets of London were involved in collisions with lorries changing direction.
“We’ve chosen Kingsland Road as unfortunately several accidents have occurred here in recent years, and it attracts a large number of cyclists commuting to and from work. This was a great opportunity for us not only to speak to them, but for cyclists to see the danger for themselves.”
Superintendent Mark Bird of Hackney Police, added: “It’s inevitable the construction of the Olympics site has led to an increase in haulage vehicles. There's no getting away from the fact that lorries must share the road with cyclists.
“The safest option to cyclists is to hang back, because you cannot guarantee where the lorry driver's blindspot will be."
The event on 17 September was supported by the Council and London Cycling Campaign.
New ranger ready to ride
Cyclists, joggers and walkers on the Regent’s Canal can feel safer with the introduction of London’s first ever tow path ranger.
Joseph Young’s new post has been created to help combat the increasing conflict between towpath users.
Rising petrol prices and environmental concerns have encouraged greater numbers of commuters to cycle, while the credit crunch has turned even more on to pedal power, with exercisers also quitting the gym to walk or run for free.
The increase in bicycle traffic is largely positive, but it’s feared a minority don’t appreciate that the path is a shared resource.
British Waterways – which maintains the path – has reported more than ten incidents of cyclists hitting pedestrians at speed since January.
So they created the London ranger post to encourage cyclists and pedestrians to share the towpath amicably and promote the ‘two-tings’ bell ringing campaign.
Joseph, himself a keen cyclist, said: I’m all too aware that sometimes I just want to get to my destination quickly, but the narrow towpaths, designed for a completely different use over 200 years ago, aren’t really the place to travel at top speeds.”
He will also be monitoring the state of the towpath surface and canal infrastructure, ensuring repairs happen where necessary and suggesting commuter-friendly upgrades to the Victorian network of waterways.
Art on the Underground
Hackney will host a major exhibition to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the iconic Tube logo, the Roundel.
From 8 to 30 October, Rochelle School in Shoreditch will see a unique display of work by a hundred artists, inspired by the Roundel design, called Art on the Underground.
There will also be a chance to buy your own work of art and hear artists explain their approach to the work.
Tamsin Dillon, head of Art on the Underground, said: “The ambition for this project is to open the doors to a broad spectrum of interpretations of the famous Tube brand, aiming to be both a celebration of its heritage and a vision for its future.”
The Rochelle School is at Arnold Circus, E2. For further details call: 020 7027 8694 or email: art@tube.tfl.gov.uk.
Police swoop on uninsured drivers
Police in the borough have responded to a change in the Road Traffic Act that allows them to crack down on uninsured vehicles.
Five vehicles were seized during a four-hour Operation Reclaim at Clapton Common, E5, and Homerton Road, E9, on 12 September.
More than 40 vehicles were stopped, with seven drivers reported for having no insurance, and two for driving other than in accordance with a license.
Hackney Operations Superintendent, Mark Bird, said: “Aside from the road safety element, Operation Reclaim has been proven to reduce crime and the feedback from motorists stopped has been overwhelmingly positive.
“The message is getting through that if you don’t drive in accordance with the law in Hackney, we will take action against you.”
On your bike from the best
Bike enthusiasts can tap Olympic stars Nicole Cook and Paul Manning (below) for their knowledge and experience at Britain’s biggest cycle show.
Cycle 2008 is open to the public at Earl’s Court, SW5, from 10 to 12 October. As well as a chance to see all kinds of cycles, it’s an ideal opportunity to stock up on kit to keep you warm through the winter months. Tickets cost ’11 in advance. For further info visit: www.cycleshow.co.uk.
Page updated: 15 Jun 2010
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