Richmond council strikes again

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@fooman

That was the gist of a lot of replies that I got on my twitter post. The council has been very lackluster in terms of cycle infrastructure and LTNs but happy to authorize silly descisions like these.

Hmm… I asked: ‘Please can you provide details of the meeting and how interested parties can attend or get in touch with those going?’

the response (from Parks):

‘We will update you after the meeting as we already have some reps from BMX users attending.’

I’ve asked again (to the Press people too):

‘A number of our readers are keen to provide their views to those attending so that a broad representation of views can be heard. Who are the relevant contacts, please?‘

I’d love to hear who the BMX users they’ve got going are.

Another update! Email just in! Meeting is at 10am today!!!

@belgianwaffle1 and anyone else, email your polite thoughts to

matt.almond@richmond.gov.uk

Dear Hannah,

I am not sure if you are aware, but a meeting has been scheduled for today, at 10am, to discuss the BMX area and safety of those using the nearby path(s). Please feel free to attend if you are available.

The Parks Team hope that a resolution can be identified, but, any compromise cannot undermine the safety of those using the nearby paths as the Parks Teams sole priority is to ensure that all of our parks and opens spaces are safe and welcoming for all to use.

If you cannot attend todays meeting, then please do not hesitate to contact me and I will try my best to answer any queries you may have.

On behalf of the Parks Team, please may I take this opportunity to thank you for your interest in this matter.

Kind regards,

Matt

@stwhannah

How do you attend the meeting?

Richmond council confirms there was no equalities impact assessment done:

https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/request_for_equailties_impact_as_2?nocache=incoming-1824651#incoming-1824651

Following an FOI

@belgianwaffle1 that key info was missing! I’ve just asked for you. ‘Open Democracy’ at its finest 🙂

@stwhannah

Seems to be something Richmond council are good at doing. missing out crucial details.

Although on second thoughts it could be something closed, maybe he is assuming that if you know about the meeting you are someone who has recieved an invite.

So let me get this right – because of a ‘near miss’, reported by another user of the space but accepted without corroboration, results in council spending a chunk of money without a suitable equalities impact assessment, or risk assessment actually being carried out, on an area of land with long history of positively engaging young people and adults in physical activity and engagement with nature, to block usage?

*slow handclap for council*

I vote for someone reporting  ‘having a near miss’ in the council car park and requesting new barriers to keep councillors from parking too close to their building….

A near miss.?

How many near misses are there for those using the jumps on their way there by car drivers, potentially caused by shitty infrastructure…?

Well done stw Hannah…. If stw were to take up the cause for riders on these sort of bullshit decisions then I would happily pay double for the membership despite the fact I don’t benefit from it (ironic given that I’ve currently not got membership…. Why not DB my account?).

This is an unapproved/unofficial track, isn’t it? They’ve tolerated it rather than sanction it? Is this not a warning shot? The jumps are getting too big/the speeds too high, they are getting nervous which is why they’ve put the barrier where it is. The ‘other park users’ is a convenient cover. They presumably always have the nuclear option of bulldozing it. I’d seriously think about putting your energy into getting the lads out with shovels to move the jumps to a better spot in the existing track.

Some success, I think. Maybe in future they’ll consult before they act? https://singletrackworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/local-riders-have-beef-with-council-over-chopped-ham-lands-trail/

Nice one.

Nice one.

@Belgianwaffle1 – I can get you as many trees as you like for planting, should riders want to be seen as proactive.

@matt_outandabout

Thanks for your offer. I will speak to the riders and see if they would be interested and I’ll PM you.

Great outcome. Just been reading through this and being in local government (not here I hasten to add), makes me a little bit ashamed of the evident corners cut here.

Great idea to offer up trees for planting too. You could even offer to crowdfund some picnic benches or something nearby to kill the local grouches who complained originally with kindness. A plaque on them “donated by friends of” always works well.