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Chesterfield Cycle Campaign is now Cycle Chesterfield
Exciting News for cyclists in Chesterfield: Chesterfield Cycle Campaign is now Cycle Chesterfield!
Chesterfield Cycle Campaign have been working tirelessly to make the town and surrounding areas a safer and more accessible place for cyclists for years, campaigning for better infrastructure and promoting cycling as a mode of transportation. But, as the years have gone on, the group has expanded beyond just campaigning. Our members also offer guided rides and popular bike repair workshops “Dr Bike”, as well as publishing a range of local information, all helping to build a vibrant cycling community in Chesterfield.
That’s why we have decided to rebrand as Cycle Chesterfield. The new name better reflects the full range of activities the group carries out and highlights our commitment to promoting cycling as a way of life in Chesterfield. But, we know that any change can be met with skepticism and doubt, so we’re here to reassure you that this is an exciting and positive change for the group.
First and foremost, the name change doesn’t mean that Cycle Chesterfield is abandoning our campaigning efforts. In fact, it’s quite the opposite! We will continue to work with local authorities and other organisations to promote cycling and improve infrastructure for cyclists. Cycle Chesterfield will continue to push for the creation of safer, more accessible routes and facilities for cyclists in and around Chesterfield.
Guided rides and bike repair provide opportunities for cyclists of all levels to learn new skills and connect with other riders in the community. From beginner rides to bike repair, and newsletters, Cycle Chesterfield’s activities are designed to promote cycling as a fun, healthy, and sustainable mode of transportation.
So, if you’re a cyclist in Chesterfield, we encourage you to join Cycle Chesterfield. Whether you’re a seasoned rider or just getting started, there’s a place for you in the group. You’ll have the opportunity to participate in guided rides, attend workshops, and help shape the future of cycling in Chesterfield, or you can rest at ease knowing that just by being a member of Cycle Chesterfield you are lending more weight to our advocacy.
In conclusion, the name change to Cycle Chesterfield is a positive development for the group and the cycling community in Chesterfield. It better reflects the full range of activities carried out and highlights our commitment to promoting cycling as a way of life in the town. So, hop on your bike and join Cycle Chesterfield for a ride!
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East West Walking & Cycle Route Meeting
We have been made aware of a meeting at Brookfield School on 11th November at 7.30pm arranged by Chesterfield Civic Society with Toby Perkins MP as speaker asking for your views about the route.
Both the Civic Society and Toby Perkins oppose building the route but the public consultation produced a majority in favour of all sections.
Please attend the meeting to make your support of the route known.
Link to the original online consultation where you can access all the plans for the route.
Chesterfield East-West Walking and Cycle Route with detailed analysis of responses to the consultation.
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East West route
Derbyshire County Council cabinet approved the east west route proposal on 14th October.
We received this message from DCC ‘its approval to start the work, but Crow Lane will of course be subject to a TRO to actually legally close it which will require a further consultation / advertisement of the points its closed at. In the meantime, theoretically the rest can be started though now. The signals at Storrs Road still need some more design work but many other parts are ready for delivery as soon as we can programme a workforce to do it.’
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East West Route – decision time!
On Thursday 14th October Derbyshire County Council will decide whether to go ahead with the east west cycle route from the rear of the Royal Hospital to Holymoor Road. Read the report to cabinet here Chesterfield East-West Walking and Cycle Route.
Ahead of that decision one of our members has compiled a report detailing the economic benefits of cycling in Chesterfield. Economic benefits of cycling in Chesterfield v1.
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‘Waterside’ News
The shared route being built between the river and housing development is taking shape, tarmac rather than the crushed stone surface specified on the original plans! It is still blocked at the southern end by the new fencing installed by Derbyshire County Council that will have to be removed!
Further south towards the new office block there is a setback though. Chesterfield Borough Council approved a temporary (3 year) application for a caravan sales area. The area in question includes the ‘towpath’ (currently a footpath only). We and other organisations including the Trans Pennine Trail, Sustrans, Transition Chesterfield and Waterside objected to the application saying that any development there should include widening the towpath to 3m to create a shared path. This requirement is part of the Waterside master plan to create a traffic free alternative to cycling along Brimington Road. Unfortunately all our objections were ignored.
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Cycle in Style Ride
A total of 28 riders took part in this years ride. Starting under the big screen on Vicar lane with tea and coffee provided by Vintage Tea Rooms. The Vicar Lane management closed off the centre of Vicar Lane creating a cycle lane for the ride to depart along!The ride paused at the Tapton Lock Festival and then returned to town.
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TPT/canal towpath closure
The towpath is closed between Constitution Hill footbridge and Hall Lane bridge in Staveley to enable works to reinforce the bank which has been eroded by several overtopping events. The closure will run until the end of the September.
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Printed Newsletter
Our latest printed newsletter has been delivered for distribution. -
3 rides for your diary
Sunday 1st August – Inclusive Pedals Community Cycle Club led ride around the ‘6 Parks’ route. Leaving from the Queen’s Park car park (off Boythorpe Road S40 2NF) at 11.00am. All welcome but please sign up with a free Eventbrite ticket to let them know how many will be on the ride.
Friday 6th August – Friday Night Ride, the theme for this one is ‘exploring Brockwell Lane’. No booking required, just turn up at the town hall steps for a 6.00pm departure.
Saturday 11th September – Cycle in Style, meet on Vicar Lane under the big screen from around 10.30am for a departure shortly after 11.00am. There will be drinks from Vintage Tea Rooms available and a stop at Tapton Lock before finishing back in the town centre. Everyone who signs up with Eventbrite will get a free drink at the start.
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Election Results
We await news of the ‘active travel’ fund and whether the east-west route will go ahead once the newly elected county council returns.
The Crow Lane section was opposed by Dean Collins (Labour) and Jack Woolley (Conservative) who were both elected for their constituencies.
The Chatsworth Road section was opposed the the previous county councillor John Boult (Conservative) and the prospective (Labour) candidate Steve Lismore. Interestingly about 100 votes went from Conservative to Lib Dem meaning the Lib Dem candidate was elected. The Labour vote fell by around 200 from the last election. Our Campaign has 35+ members in the ward covered by Chatsworth Road, perhaps the two candidates opposition to the route made a difference!
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County Council Election
We have contacted the major parties (Labour, Lib Dem, Conservative & Green) sending them a link to online questions asking about their support for cycling and asking individual candidates to reply.
We have received replies from the candidates below. Clicking their name links to their reply.
Darren Yates (Green) Birdholme
Steve Lismore (Labour) Walton & West
Simon Geikie (Green) Walton & West
Dean Collins (Labour) Brimington, Hollingwood & Tapton
Marion Thorpe (Labour) Staveley North
Ludwig Ramsey (Labour) Spire
Paul Niblock (Lib Dem) Walton & West
By the way, we asked them to estimate how many cycle journeys were recorded on the station link each day in 2020. From data supplied by DCC it varied between a low of 120 in the winter and a max of 250 in warmer months.
John Boult (Conservative) Walton & West – in a personal email reply to our secretary (and to another of our members) he states that he is opposed to the Chatsworth Road section of the East West route and believes the ‘active travel’ funding would be better spent elsewhere in Derbyshire.
You may also be interested in reading about opposition to the route by Chesterfield Civic Society Cycle-superhighway-emails-late-April-2021-1 and Labour candidate Steve Lismore’s leaflet opposing the route Lismore propaganda
Here is a link to a FOI request in which the reply from Derbyshire County Council states who was consulted and what roads received a letter DCC-FoI-response_001
On the other hand Ludwig Ramsey (Labour) will ‘reprioritise road, footpath and cycleway projects’ ludwig Ramsey propaganda
Cycle Chesterfield
Promoting, encouraging and campaigning for safe and convenient local cycling opportunities
