Yes I think an Ecco meeting sounds a great idea
Sue
Sent from my iPad
On 17 Nov 2020, at 17:05, ramen fides <ramenandfides@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Why don't we have an ECCO meeting to discuss this? After all, most of us have
had plenty of Zoom practice over the past 7 months or so... So why not have
an online ECCO meeting?
On Tue, 17 Nov 2020, 10:09 Mike and Jan Andrews, <botanic88@xxxxxxxxxxx>
wrote:
Hi all
I agree with Gordon about a group to discuss 'how we think our neighbourhood
should work from our very different perspectives'.
As a member of ECCOpep I agree that our group could be used for this.
However, I have one reservation. ECCOpep has always been careful to listen
to everyone's different views without needing to reach agreement. But a
group to discuss 'how we think our neighbourhood should work' might want to
reach a consensus and then turn itself into a campaign or lobbying group or
persuade ECCO to take up its cause. That would be okay, but the group would
need to move away from ECCOpep to do it.
Mike
From: eccotalk-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx <eccotalk-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> on
behalf of Gordon Ferguson <gordon.ferguson@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: 16 November 2020 12:54
To: eccotalk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx <eccotalk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: [eccotalk] Re: Ambitious plans for the future of travel inSheffield
Neighbours,
ECCOTalk is intended to be a community focused support network, for sharing
news, offers of help, help needed and the like.
It is not supposed to be a discussion forum - though of course from time to
time we do stray there, and there is nothing wrong in commenting on a news
item, such as this one on the future of travel. The intention of ECCOtalk is
to have it as open as possible to include as many of you as possible,
otherwise sharing news and support will not work effectively.
In my view, we could set up a separate group for discussion, perhaps with a
focus on local politics and economics, since indeed, as Noel says, local
democracy starts here - not at the ballot box, which is in fact the end
point. However, I fear that if we do not have a specific focus and
objective, any forum may just result in point scoring and fruitless
argument. There are wider groups, such as political parties and campaigning
groups for this sort of thing. However, the opportunity for us to discuss
how we think our neighbourhood should work from our very different
perspectives could be useful.
We already have a discussion group, ECCOPEP - PEP stands for Politics,
Economics and Philosophy - however because the focus was on meeting in each
other's houses to discuss a specific topic or question - often related to
current news - it has not happened since the beginning of the year. With
agreement of the current members (not that many) of ECCOPEP it could be
extended for online discussion, or we could set up Zoom sessions whilst we
cannot meet in person, or some other forum.
If anyone is interested, reply directly to me, or if you have any other
ideas about how we might proceed, share with the group.
Regards,
Gordon
On 16/11/2020 10:56, Noel O´Reilly wrote:
Good point, Citizen Shad! Local democracy starts here.
Citizen Noel
From: eccotalk-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx <eccotalk-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> on
behalf of Shad Woolgrove <dmarc-noreply@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: 16 November 2020 09:49
To: eccotalk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx <eccotalk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: [eccotalk] Re: Ambitious plans for the future of travel inSheffield
Dear Noel
I fear that you are right insofar as the politicians believe that these
discussions belong in another forum but I believe that the discussion needs
a wider forum such as this because it is forums such as this that will
inform and involve us, the people, in having the difficult conversations
that need to be had.
Citizen Shad
Sent from Mail for Windows 10
From: Noel O´Reilly
Sent: 16 November 2020 09:21
To: eccotalk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [eccotalk] Re: Ambitious plans for the future of travel inSheffield
Instead of taxing people on low incomes and the squeezed middle progressive
economists suggest taxing land and wealth derived from shares. They argue
policies like austerity are political decisions. But I fear the discussion
belongs in another forum than this. Have a great week.
Get Outlook for iOS
From: eccotalk-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx <eccotalk-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> on
behalf of Gordon Ferguson <gordon.ferguson@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Sunday, November 15, 2020 11:23:51 PM
To: eccotalk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx <eccotalk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: [eccotalk] Re: Ambitious plans for the future of travel in
Sheffield
Yes we will have to pay through the nose to recover from Coronavirus. Of
course no one could possibly countenance taxing the super rich, whose
wealth has increased by over 25% during the pandemic.............
And the super rich who own the bus companies aren't about to see their
source of profit undermined by daft ideas like free buses either.
Gordon
On 15/11/2020 16:38, Alexander Basran (Redacted sender a_basran for DMARC)
wrote:
Whatever the potential merits of this proposal (and there are many in
public transport schemes) it is unlikely that there will be support for yet
more taxes rises to pay for it after the tremendous rises we are about to
see to pay for the Coronavirus costs.
So that would be my response to the “why not” at the present time.
On 15 Nov 2020, at 16:26, Noel O´Reilly <noeloreilly@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Yes, agree, why not consider free buses, especially as Sheffield blazed a
trail for it in the past?
Get Outlook for iOS
From: eccotalk-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx <eccotalk-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> on
behalf of Gordon Ferguson <gordon.ferguson@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Sunday, November 15, 2020 4:03:22 PM
To: eccotalk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx <eccotalk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: [eccotalk] Re: Ambitious plans for the future of travel in
Sheffield
Those of us who have lived here for decades (I came as a student in 1972,
Chriss was born here) will remember when the bus fares were so cheap - in
the early 1980s - that there was talk of making the buses free. You have to
go to the likes of Estonia for that sort of thing these days.
I remember like it was yesterday when I decided to go out with a mate into
the Peak District on the August bank holiday Monday in 1976. We got to the
bus station - lived in the east end in those days - to find a queue of
double deck buses and the place full of people, pouring onto the buses as
fast as they could pull up and go - all going out to the Peak District,
either via Ecclesall Road or Abbeydale Road.
It is only libertarian ideology that stops this coming back - if they can
do it in Estonia which is merely the 100th wealthiest country in the world,
whilst we are sixth - half our wealth per head - then why can't we?
Gordon
On 15/11/2020 11:20, Noel O´Reilly wrote:
I've been living in the area for a year and it's great - friendly
neighbours, vibrant shops and other amenities, great walks urban and rural.
Around here, Sheffield lives up to its reputation for being the 'outdoor
city' with joggers, cyclists, ramblers of all ages enjoying the parks and
woodland. But there is one downside, which is that the traffic congestion
on Brocco Bank and Ecclesall Road is appalling. During the first lockdown
when there was little or no traffic the neighbourhood was transformed into
an earthly paradise. Much of the traffic is probably unavoidable - e.g.
freight, deliveries, people who use their vehicles for work - but this
isn't the case with privately owned vehicles. The Sheffield Plan is
committed to addressing climate change and we can't address that without
reducing private car use. And it isn't just an environmental issue. Traffic
density is a huge health and safety issue, associated with asthma and other
respiratory illnesses. The only way the Sheffield Plan can meet its
objectives is to prioritise public transport, and that includes taxis,
whether in the bus lane or otherwise. As a newcomer, I don't know the city
as well as most of you, but it's clear to achieve the objectives of the
plan we need safe cycle lanes on Ecclesall Road, more priority given to
pedestrians (which might include wider pavements where possible), traffic
calming to reduce speeding, affordable car share schemes and other measures
to reduce congestion and improve health and the quality of life. Or perhaps
we should follow the national government's new plan for Stonehenge and
double the volume of traffic by digging a tunnel under the city?
Noel, Everton Road
From: eccotalk-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx <eccotalk-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> on
behalf of ramen fides <ramenandfides@xxxxxxxxx>
Sent: 14 November 2020 17:27
To: eccotalk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx <eccotalk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: [eccotalk] Re: Ambitious plans for the future of travel in
Sheffield
It's not just about taxis and buses - shared bus and cycle lanes is even
more dangerous!
On Sat, 14 Nov 2020, 11:41 Scott Royal, <dmarc-noreply@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Thanks Gordon
I look forward to seeing the detailed proposals, but Ecclesall Road need
more than 'improvements to public transport'. Its a vastly wide road with
ridiculously poor quality, narrow pavements. There is a way of satisfying
all of the current requirements upon Ecclesall Road (pedestrian, car
parking, bus routes, cycle routes) but it requires creativity and vision.
And money.
But on the very simple scale, they should stop taxis using the bus lane.
Horribly dangerous.
Perhaps an ECCO response would be appropriate?
Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android
On Sat, 14 Nov 2020 at 10:26, Jose Garcia
<jgarciahome@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Hi,
Very interesting, I’ve signed up for updates from the council website and
look forward to joining the conversation.
Thanks for sharing
José
On Sat, 14 Nov 2020 at 10:14, nick nuttgens <nicknuttgens@xxxxxxxxxxx>
wrote:
Thanks, Gordon. There will be many devils in the detail but it’s exciting
that all over the country changes are happening. I believe that many EU
cities are further ahead, partly because they have greater devolved powers
in some countries eg control of energy schemes. But change is afoot here.
Some ECCO members may not know that a consortium of local environmental
groups has recently won funding from the National Lottery’s Climate Action
Fund to develop a bid for a big programme of community based low-Carbon
projects across South Yorkshire. If we are successful in the next round
too, we will have £2.5 million to spend.
A key point here is that every politician or council Officer repeats is
that the changes to our infrastructure will need public support which means
lots of discussions need to happen within communities so everyone
understands why the changes are needed. Many people, even now, don’t talk
much about climate change so I’d encourage ECCO residents to talk all
around the topic, and exchange views about the best ways forward. There is
a helpful little guide here on how to do this:
https://climateoutreach.org/reports/how-to-have-a-climate-change-conversation-talking-climate/
Best,
Nick
Nick Nuttgens
07403 494696
This is my email for personal correspondence.
On 14 Nov 2020, at 08:50, Gordon Ferguson <gordon.ferguson@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
wrote:
Note that one of the schemes in this programme is for Ecclesall Road.
Visit https://connectingsheffield.commonplace.is
Central Officer posted: " Sheffield City Council is launching a new
project, Connecting Sheffield, which will focus on encouraging active
travel and supporting the shift towards sustainable transport in and around
the city. Connecting Sheffield will encompass a range of transp"
Respond to this post by replying above this line
New post on Central Sheffield
Ambitious plans for the future of travel in Sheffield
by Central Officer
Sheffield City Council is launching a new project, Connecting Sheffield,
which will focus on encouraging active travel and supporting the shift
towards sustainable transport in and around the city.
Connecting Sheffield will encompass a range of transport schemes focused on
delivering change for the city’s walking, cycling and public transport
infrastructure.
The new scheme follows a successful bid made by Sheffield City Region,
supported by Sheffield City Council, for funding from the Department for
Transport’s Transforming Cities Fund. Sheffield will receive £50m which
will be used to improve public transport, walking and cycling links to
encourage people to leave their car at home.
The funding will deliver the first major step in the Council’s vision to
transform travel in Sheffield and make it possible for more people to
choose walking, cycling and public transport first. The reduction in a
reliance on car journeys, is a priority for the city’s future, not only to
help ease congestion but to help address climate change and improve air
quality in Sheffield. Future funding will support further schemes brought
forward in subsequent phases.
Lower traffic levels have been seen during the pandemic as people have
taken to walking and cycling on more journeys. It is hoped that this
continues, as changes to travel infrastructure are prioritised.
The first phase of the project will focus on key areas that have been
identified as locations where people are making short car journeys from
home to work in the city centre and Lower Don Valley, including Neepsend,
Kelham and Nether Edge. The proposed schemes will enable these to be made
more safely by cycling, especially for shorter trips, and more quickly and
reliably by bus.
The Transforming Cities Fund will focus on improving travel links through
the following schemes:
Across the city centre
Neepsend & Kelham to the city centre
Nether Edge to the city centre
Magna to Tinsley
The city centre to Attercliffe and Darnall
On Abbeydale Road and Ecclesall Road
More information on the individual schemes can be found on the Connecting
Sheffield website, at bit.ly/ConnectingSheffield.
All of the proposed schemes will be subject to public consultation, and the
feedback received will help to inform the development of the routes
identified. Under the current terms of the funding from the Department for
Transport, all work must be completed by March 2023.
Councillor Bob Johnson, Cabinet Member for Transport and Development at
Sheffield City Council, said:
“Connecting Sheffield is a major first step in overhauling our transport
network to put walking, cycling and public transport at the forefront of
travel choices available in our city.
“We know that for lots of people, travelling by car is sometimes the only
feasible way of getting from A to B, but we want to make sure that walking,
cycling and public transport are realistic options, especially for getting
to work and for shorter journeys.
“It is disappointing that we did not receive our full bid for funding from
the Government. Equally, we could never deliver everything we want to in
this first phase. Other schemes will come in later phases. However, these
projects still represent a major first step in developing our plans to
create a more inclusive and diverse travel network that over time will
transform how people move around Sheffield.
“Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic we have seen an increase in walking and
cycling as people have taken the time to get outdoors and explore both
their local communities and our wonderful parks and countryside, and we
hope to make it possible for more people to continue to do this.
“Despite current restrictions, bus services will also remain a crucial part
of our transport infrastructure into the future, helping thousands of
people to get about. Although improving travel infrastructure may not seem
like a priority right now, this work is vitally important in making sure
our transport system is fit for purpose so that people can get to work,
access services and visit family and friends now and in the future.
We know we have a long way to go to get where we need to be, but we are
excited to be able to make a start.”
Dame Sarah Storey, Sheffield City Region Active Travel Commissioner, said:
“I am delighted to see Sheffield launch Connecting Sheffield which will
deliver their active travel plans over the coming years. We have been
working closely with Sheffield City Council to enable their ambitions for
walking and cycling to become a reality. Back in July our new
infrastructure standards were adopted at the MCA and since then there has
been some impressive work going on to deliver suitable schemes that will
offer active travel alternatives for short journeys within Sheffield."
Dan Jarvis, Mayor of the Sheffield City Region, said:
“The Transforming Cities Fund will help to achieve our ambition of a
transport system for South Yorkshire that is fit for the 21st century.
“By enabling walking and cycling, and improving public transport, these
Connecting Sheffield schemes will reduce congestion, improve air quality
and allow people to live more active lives, which will improve their mental
and physical health.
“Revolutionising how we travel to include modes which are beneficial to the
health of both the planet and our people is vital as we develop a stronger,
greener and fairer economy and society for South Yorkshire.”
Martin McKervey, Chair of the Sheffield Property Association said:
“Our cities are evolving. Both investors and people living and working in
cities are increasingly looking for quality of life, a city that’s easier
to get around and people friendly, with a cleaner environment. Sheffield is
ideally placed to deliver on this but it needs the right infrastructure in
place. That’s why we wholeheartedly support this new vision for Connecting
Sheffield and look forward to hearing more about the detailed proposals.”
For more information about Connecting Sheffield and for updates on the
schemes visit bit.ly/ConnectingSheffield.
Central Officer | November 13, 2020 at 6:49 pm | Categories: Uncategorized
| URL: https://wp.me/p3Y4mZ-2c4
Trouble clicking? Copy and paste this URL into your browser:
https://centralsheffield.wordpress.com/2020/11/13/ambitious-plans-for-the-future-of-travel-in-sheffield/
Thanks for flying with WordPress.com
Virus-free. www.avg.com
