Working Group

A working group was set up at the meeting on 19th Jan 2009.

The contact is Patrick Cleary: 0151 632 5366; ttwk.transport@gmail.com.

Projects under discussion are
• cycle training
• bike maintainance classes
• regular cycle rides (critical mass)
• 20 mph Wirral speed limit in residential areas
• contribution to the Third Merseyside Transport Plan 2010 (see below).

Background

"During the last half-century, our towns, suburbs and countryside have been re-shaped as a
consequence of mass car ownership, made possible by fuel sold at the pumps for roughly the price
of mineral water." (Sustrans: Towards Transport Justice)

As fuel prices inevitably increase, we need to reverse some of these changes - we need to walk more, cycle more, and use public transport more - and we need to restructure housing, businesses and communities so that this is possible, and so that we are less reliant on car ownership.

Our ideas

At some of our events, we have asked people in our local community what they feel should be done. Here are some of the contributions relating to transport.
• "more cycle routes which are more convenient"
• "tax cars more, specifically 4x4s" ... "hear hear" ... "selfish!!"
• "improvements to public transport, so that people choose to use it"
• "invest in the country's transport infrastructure, long term real money"
• "use the car less"
• "get on your bike"
• "organise car-sharing from West Kirby"
• lift sharing to share lifts for children
• a community car club like that already in use in some areas - i.e. six or so cars are shared, with online booking by people who have been through a registration process - they are then more able/more comfortable about giving up owning their own car

Cycling

One of the most obvious ways of reducing our use of fossil fuels is to leave the car at home. Many, many local journeys can be done easily, quickly and efficiently using a bike. Some of the the bonuses are that it is fun, cheap and, even more importantly, it keeps you fit and healthy.

We want to do all we can to encourage people to use a bike. Maybe you have one but can't be bothered to get it out and blow up the tyres, maybe you are worried about getting a puncture or maybe you are worried about the possibility of having an accident. Maybe you want to buy a bike but are not sure what type to buy. We will be having events to help overcome these barriers.

Britain has a National Cycle Network (currently over 10,000 miles), though unfortunately not all of this is traffic-free. Sustrans (Sustainable Transport) is the organisation trying to increase the number of miles on the network (www.sustrans.org.uk).

One kind of event discussed at the Nov 2008 Open Space was a regular critical mass cycle ride. These are fun events (not protests) - see here. Critical Mass Cycle Rides are part of a global
phenomenon: cyclists in more than 400 cities worldwide take to the streets once a month in a celebration of safe cycling - http://criticalmass.wikia.com/wiki/List_of_rides.

Local Transport Plan

The Merseyside Transport Partnership drew up a transport plan for Merseyside to cover from 2011 to 2024.

The first phase of consultation was in March/April 2010.
Read the Merseyside Transition response here.

Public transport

Merseytravel
0151 236 7676
Information line on buses, trains and ferries.

Transport direct
www.transportdirect.info
The public transport information website you've been waiting for - enter your postcode, and where you want to go to and when, and you get the nearest bus stop, the bus number, when its due, or the train information with changes and so on.

Rail information
www.nationalrail.co.uk

Liftshare

Liftshare
www.liftshare.com
Site to match up people to share lifts. There are currently (2009) 20 registerd lifts from West Kirby wanted or offered, e.g. to Liverpool and Chester.

Resources

Towards Transport Justice April 2008 Report by Sustrans
http://www.sustrans.org.uk/assets/files/Info%20sheets/towards_transport_justice_april08.pdf

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News

FREE Adult Cycle Training and Maintenance

Organised by Merseyside Travelwise
bicycle

Click here for more details.

Wirral Circular Trail

The Wirral Circular Trail is now virtually complete. It's a 35-mile signposted walk and cycle route around Wirral. A booklet detailing the trail is currently being distributed and will be widely available across Wirral and on www.visitwirral.com/coast.

The route of the Circular Trail links the Wirral Way at Hooton to Eastham Country Park along the Mersey Coast via Shorefields, Rock Park, past Cammell Lairds and Birkenhead Priory to Woodside Ferry and then up to Seacombe Ferry. It is anticipated that as soon as the Bromborough Landfill site opens to the public, the route will go across this site from Pool Lane to Shorefields.

After following the River Mersey to New Brighton, the route cuts inland to the River Birket cycle track, around Leasowe to the Lighthouse, and then along the North Shore to Hoylake, West Kirby and finally returning to Hooton.