Hello all,
I support a group
called Spokes (East Kent Cycling Campaign) and recently they have
pushed a cycle path to the planning stage. My Mum helped initiate the
application in 1997 and spokes have been fighting for it since then!!
It will be a beautiful route between Chartham and Canterbury
alongside the riverside and will give cyclists a much safer alternative
to the A road (A28) where motorists often drive over 60mph!
On an enviromental note I believe the cycle path will encourage more people from the area to commute into Canterbury by bike (especially considering how bad the traffic coming in through Wincheap is) saving on pollution and congestion from vehicles. Also, allowing families a safer place to enjoy cycling encourages the next generation to embrace sustainable transport.
Obviously you could argue (and I know Richard likes to play Devil's advocate on these forums - and quite rightly to spark debate) that the development would itself generate emissions and have a certain environmental impact, and this is an undeniable fact. I believe that the long term benefits of encouraging short distance travel by foot or by bike ( or even by rowing boat) pentrate right through society; improving people's health, reducing CO2 emissions, reducing fuel use (also economic) and improving air quality.
I (and many others) would be very grateful - for anyone that agrees - to spare a few moments to show their support by sending a quick email to Ms. Nan
Barton at Development.Control@canterbury.gov.uk stating the planning number CA/09/00209/FUL.
You can find more info at http://www.spokeseastkent.org.uk/
Many thanks
Nick