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Present: Geoff Cox (Chair), Mark Bould, Andy Evans, Carol Wilson, Dene Stevens, Mick Commery. Ann Cutler, Tim Cutler, Phill LeCount,

Nigel Self, Becky Marston CTC, Terry Stanley.

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Apologies:

Juanita Williams, Richard White.

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Action Points from last meeting

·     Terry confirmed that obstruction of the route between Rushall Canal ( Brickhouse Bridge) and Severn Trent sewage works known as The Beacon Way is now clear.

·     Nigel contacted Dudley council about annular cycle lane on the roundabout at Shell Corner, Halesowen, took photos and has supplied an article for Newsletter 13.

·     Nigel Self and john Whitehouse have walked a 1452 metre stretch of Tame Valley canal towpath from the aqueduct up to the bridge at NCNR5 to measure and assess the condition in order to raise a quote for repair work. Nigel has received a quote of £113k from J Breheny Contractors Ltd.

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Report back on Rides and Forthcoming arrangements

·         23 People on May CiS ride.

·         Sandwell Irish Community has 3 rides planned: 14 people attended May 15^th ride to Cannon Hill Park. The next rides are 12^th June &  12^th July.

·         GC mentioned that there is a ride starting 8am from Galton Bridge, Smethwick to the cyclists memorial service at Meriden on Sunday 22^nd May and there will be a minibus for those who chose to use it cost £5 per person.

·         GC enquired about Birmingham Sky Rides this year. Geoff/Andy to look into it.

·         Update: Birmingham Sky Ride is on Sunday 3^rd July.

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Updates

Route construction

·    British Waterways has been completed work on part of the Dudley No2 Canal between Waterfall Lane and Station Road.

·    GC suggested we invite British Waterways to the next meeting. Nige to contact them.

·    A bid for £60k funding for new Sandwell Valley mountain bike trails was unsuccessful. Work will go ahead with the help of volunteers.

Please contact Andy Evans on  0121 612 1655 if you would like to volunteer to help.

Wayne More update via AE:

New Cycle Routes

Wayne Moore is implementing some new cycle routes during this financial year:

• Alexandra Road to Walsall Canal via Alexandra High School (Tipton): Includes Princes End area of Tipton. Involves installation of signage and some surfacing work.
• Telford Way to Hawthorns Metro Station ( West Bromwich): Includes part of NCN 5.
• Also cycle parking to be installed outside West Bromwich library.

West Bromwich Area Action Plan

• Design briefs are being put together for some cycle routes in West Bromwich as part of the AAP. Any additional budget left over from the routes will be spent on cycle parking.

Cycle Monitoring

• Monitoring figures for 2010 showed a slight increase over previous three years, perhaps due to a better summer. Seasonal variation appears to be lower which augers well for the future, as more people appear to be cycling in all seasons.
• Cycle monitoring is continuing to be collected by the Council following adoption of the LTP 3. There is still a West Midlands target for increasing cycle usage but it is more generalised.
• We have decided to rationalise the monitoring regime due to low counts from numerous sites, persistent vandalism at a few sites, and time constraints.

The following sites have been removed -

• Q3 (Great Barr) - Due to low counts and vandalism
• Ocker Hill (Tipton) - Due to very low counts and vandalism
• Perry Hill Road (Brandhall) - Due to low counts
• Stony Lane ( Smethwick) - Due to low counts
• All other monitoring points will remain.

• We have decided to rationalise the Roebuck Subway counter and Holly Ln/Oldbury Rd counters into one site on the Roebuck Lane cycle path before the turn into the Parkway. This is to capture any cyclists who decide to turn into the parkway rather than go through the subway.

•  The northbound monitoring point at Carters Green ( West Bromwich) is to be relocated to the pedestrian build-out nearby as the loop at the current location has been damaged by bus turning movements.

• The monitoring point at Horseley Heath will be changed from a pillar box to a Haldo Pillar after vandalism.

Newsletter

·    GC suggested an article detailing the history of Cycling in Sandwell would be useful. Dene said to contact Roy McCauley SMBC.

·    AE said Cerebus have provided quotes for Newsletter, same cost as previous 2 years (£1500 for 3000 copies), with a break down for smaller quantities.

·    Phill suggested he could look at graphic design to help with costs.

·    GC suggested that we could reduce size to A5 to further reduce costs.

·    NS has submitted an article on Shell corner roundabout.

·    GC to contact Descent-Gear.com, Quinton for shop profile.

Website.

Discussions around format of website included:

·    There is a link to Facebook on the CiS website: Andy said that Facebook is getting more use, people just have to type in Cycling in Sandwell and click like.

·    GC suggested to ad electronic version PCT’s Bikewell guide to website.

·    Other additions to website could include various shop links, Newsletters and more photos are needed.

·    Phill explained how “Flicker” can be used to upload photos and how it works. Cost of £20 for 2 years.

Cycling in Sandwell Constitution.

·    Agreement was reached on New group constitution.

·    Nominations of a chair, secretary and treasurer were made and agreed with unanimous vote: Geoff Cox (Chair) Nigel Self (Secretary) Carol Wilson (Treasurer). They will form the group management committee until the first AGM (date to be confirmed) when they may stand for re-election.

·    Cycling in Sandwell will operate more independently of PCT but could work closely with and be commissioned by them.

The constitution was adopted on the 19^th of May and signed by Geoff Cox, Nigel Self and Carol Wilson.

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Any Other Business

Sandwell Valley bike Event.

·         Cycling in Sandwell in partnership with Sandwell NHS Primary Care Trust and Sandwell Leisure Trust are staging a huge cycling event at Sandwell Valley Country Park, West Bromwich from 11.00am – 3.00pm Sunday 31^st July 2011.(TBC)

·         Admission to the event is free and will include attractions such as two sponsored bike ride events, Dr Bike maintenance, advice from experienced cycling instructors, Watt Bikes, bike tagging and much more.

Since the meeting we have now confirmed attendance from Birmingham Monarchs Cycle Speedway, CTC adapted cycles, balance bikes for young children and a number of other exciting attractions.

·         Beccy Marston from CTC said she may be able to help with some funding.

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Date of Next Meeting

Thursday 11^th August.

7:00 p.m. to 8;30 p.m.

ACT meeting room, ground floor of West House, Lombard Street West, West Bromwich

Any discussion after 8:30 will continue in the pub