UK Highway Code revision- Tories to force Lords debate

UK Highway Code revision- Tories to force Lords debate, originally uploaded by mike1727.

Part of Anne Main's response to my letter about Highway Code changes.

This is good news- but keep writing letters!

Anne also says:

Highway code revision threatens your safety- ACT NOW!

Last year the highway code came up for review. Some of the wording changes will put cyclists in increased danger, and cyclists need to act now to have their voice heard.

If you don't want (presumably) well-intentioned but badly framed legislation to force you to use substandard cycle lanes then join the 13,000 cyclists who have already objected by signing the online petition here. It only takes a moment and shows the level of cyclists' opposition to these changes.

Once you've done that, please spend a few minutes writing to Anne Main, asking her to support Early Day Motion 1433 "That the alterations in the provisions of the Highway Code proposed to be made by the Secretary of State for Transport, dated 28th March 2007, a copy of which was laid before this House on 28th March, be not made.". Please also Mrs Main to talk to her colleagues in the Lords who can 'pray against' the rewording, since the most effective challenge is likely to take place in the Lords.

There's more information on the CCN site here, including a sample letter. If you have time, please write in your own words, since personal comments are more effective than just sending 'yet another form letter'. This site allows you to send a message direct to Anne Main without a stamp- from experience you should have some sort of reply within 48 hours.

Support your local bridleways

We have a good network of bridleways in and around St Albans. Some are best used for leisure, others provide useful commute alternatives. All of them need protecting, and we need more bridleways to link them together into contiguous routes.

The British Horse Society (the equestrian's CTC) are very effective campaigners for off-road access, Phil Wadey runs the local BHS cadre (Hertfordshire) email distribution list, which carried this alert the other day:

BRIDLEWAYS (No. 2)27.02.2007
Hoyle, Lindsay That this House recognises the importance of bridleways for horse-riders to exercise in safety and enjoy the countryside; notes that many bridleways are in poor condition or are abused by people using motorised vehicles; and calls on the Government actively to promote the use of bridleways, ensuring that those who use bridleways inappropriately are fined, to look to extend the number of bridleways across the country and to ensure that existing bridleways are kept open and are well-maintained for horse-riders.

Some MPs have tabled Early Day Motion number 1004 in support of bridleways. Early Day Motions (EDMs) are often used to find out how much support different policy choices might attract, and to see whether proposed legislation might get through the Commons. This could be such a flyer. Even if not, it's important to show the Government that there is as much support for new paths this year as there was last time such an Early Day Motion was tabled.

If you would like to see the EDM supported, you need to write to your MP giving the number of the EDM (1004), and reasons why you think it needs support. It is always best to give your own personal experience relating to one or more of the aims of the EDM rather than to use a form letter.

This is well worth supporting if you ride off-road at all.

St Albans MP Anne Main is silent on bridleways both in parliament and on her own website, and hasn't yet signed up to the EDM. (She's equally silent on cycling generally)

Find out who your MP is here, and then write to them using this free and convenient site.