Chesterfield Cycle Campaign

4th June 2010

Little to report on the infrastructure front. We have no news on the Park Road to B & Q path opening. Also still awaiting news of this years scheme of works from Derbyshire County Council although we are hopeful that there will be good news to report here soon!

You may be aware that in 2008 Chesterfield Borough Council decided on an Air Quality Management Area due to poor air quality along some of the major roads in Chesterfield. This was never backed up with the official declaration of an Air Quality Management Area (which would have required some action!). We have now been informed that air quality has improved so there is no longer a requirement to declare an AQMA. This is a complicated subject but suffice to say there are various 'correction factors' which are used to produce the figures. It would appear that the latest figures have been compiled using a correction factor almost 20% lower than previously used. We will investigate further!

A new cycle shop is opening in the town. Peak Bikes is on Old Hall Road, opposite Dansies off the Morrison's roundabout in Brampton. The owner, Pete Currey has generously offered Campaign members  a discount of 20% off workshop prices and 10% off store prices. You will need to show your current membership card to obtain the discount of course.  They are running weekly road rides and mountain bike rides too. Their website is www.peakbikes.co.uk although the site was still 'under construction' when I checked this morning.

Please don't forget the Campaign's 'Bicycle Film Festival' on Saturday June 19th at Chesterfield Library Lecture Theatre. Cycle displays including the Campaign stall from midday until 4.30pm. Volunteers needed to help out on the day. The programme of short films will be shown twice at 1.30pm and 3.00pm. Free tickets on request from myself. Tickets will almost certainly be available on the day too. Anyone with a ticket for the film showings can be entered into a prize draw for a Brooks saddle, cycle clothing and a book.

On Friday 25th June we are having our now annual Bike Week Pea & Pie supper at the Crispin on Ashgate Road. A short ride will leave from outside the town hall at 6.30pm and we aim to have the supper at 7.30pm in the pub. The cost will be £4.50 per person and we would like some idea of numbers please.
The Spire Road Club will be joining us at the pub.

Many of you will be familiar with the '20's Plenty' campaign to introduce a 20mph limit urban speed limit. A public meeting has been arranged at the Winding Wheel on July 8th at 7pm where the national campaign leader Rod King will be speaking about the benefit for ALL road users. The Cycle Campaign supports this initiative.

Slightly further ahead is the Inkerman Buzz. Now in its second year. The Campaign will have its stall and Dr Bike. many of you will know that the Inkerman Park is in Ashgate. The event is partly funded by the Walton And West Community Forum so the Campaign will lead a ride from Walton Shops to the event. The ride will leave Walton shops at 11.00am.

Those of you that receive S40 magazine will see the June issue has a lot of cycling content. Paul Chapman who publishes the magazine is a regular cyclist but not, as yet, a member of the campaign!

Don't forget the campaign meeting next Tuesday 8th. Another e mail will circulate the agenda.

Alastair Meikle

Secretary