The Neighbourhood Plan proposed for a small part of Ealing is nothing new or unusual, the ability for local residents and businesses to prepare a Neighbourhood Plan has existed for several years now, as set out in the link below :https://www.gov.uk/guidance/neighbourhood-planning--2The biggest challenge facing neighbourhood plans however, in my opinion, is the requirement that "they support the strategic development needs set out in the Local Plan and plan positively to support local development" because the people most interested in producing a neighbouring plan tend to want to head in a very different direction to the adopted local plan and national planning guidance.Not that I personally want to see the existing Watermans site developed into residential, but I think there's a rather rose-tinted spectacles view of the current Watermans, and whether we like it or agree with it, given the never ending cuts Local Authorities have to contend with, we can hardly be surprised that the Council want to make the most financial profit out of previously developed land.I've been quite vocal about the cycle superhighway on other threads, but one thing I would respond to is that to me, cycle superhighways are primarily to encourage the use of bicycles as a recreational option, the lycra lot (including myself) tend to avoid cycle superhighways as I don't want to be thrown into a crowded cycle lane with children, old dears on boris bikes etc. Which is admittedly another problem, others suggest bringing in such lanes and then making it mandatory for all cyclists to use them, which would be deeply unpopular with cyclists like myself.If anyone thinks cycle lanes are so great, try riding on the one adjoining the A4/Great West Road. Every minute or so you'll have to either slow down or stop to look to your left or right to check whether or not a vehicle is turning into a side road or retail park entrance, and whether a vehicle is joining the A4 from the site road or retail park. Sometimes that crossing will be some yards back from the A4, so motorists on the A4 aren't necessary aware of you. It is inherently dangerous.Conversely, if you cycle on the A4 then you're always visible to motorists and there's no uncertainty/confusion when you come to a side road - you're on the main carriageway so you have right of way and don't always have to be looking to your left or rather rather than focusing on the road infront of you.Sadly that isn't understood by most motorists, like the 'friendly' Italian who I recently encountered who clearly doesn't know Section 63 of the Highway Code and seemed rather upset that his attempts to wind me up failed to have the desired effect and left him so speechless that his final insult was the rather bizarre statement that I'm a "bitch" !.
Adam Beamish ● 3055d