Brian Atkinson and I attended a meeting on BXS last night. Ben Tansley from Brent LCC was also present representing local residents on the Brent side of the development. I have drafted an email (see below) to Julia Finlayson of Argent. She is responsible for the road layout. I would be grateful for any comments you would like to make on this draft before I send it.

Dear Julia

It was nice to meet you yesterday. Thank you for your presentation at the meeting at Whitefield School. I welcome the facilities for cycling within the development but I am concerned with both the eastern and western access to the new High Street and Claremont Park Road. I learned after the meeting that the road bridge just south of the new station is not due to be completed until 2030. As discussed last night, this will mean that the eastern access to the new development will be via a subway where cycling is currently prohibited (though the ban is largely ignored) and until 2030 the western access will be via a bridge that involves lifts and where one will be expected to walk one's bike across a pedestrian bridge within the station. No-one would design facilities for cars you couldn't drive over. Why should there be cycle routes you cannot ride on?

I understand you will be meeting Barnet's Highways officers shortly. I would be grateful if you would make the above points to them. A short term solution at the eastern end would be to remove the no cycling signs at the subway connecting the footpath behind Tescos from Marble Drive to the other side of the Hendon Way and build a short section of cycle path on the pavement from the eastern side of the subway to connect it with Woodville Gardens. I would suggest a white line through the subway demarcating pedestrian and cycle sides of the path and/or "Cyclists give way to pedestrians" signs.

On another matter, Ben Tansley suggested at the meeting that the whole area would be suitable for a 20 mph zone. Barnet Cyclist would endorse this view and I'd appreciate if you would raise this at your meeting with Barnet Highways. You mentioned that you would be trying to reduce speeds with suitable designs and we would welcome this.

Regards

Charles Harvey

for Barnet Cyclists

020 8455 5174

07961 194 771