Labour’s co leader of the opposition, Cllr Carmen Appich, recently wrote in Brighton & Hove News about the upcoming environment, transport and sustainability committee meeting:

“I’ve just got back from a short break visiting my mum, and I was surprised to learn that we were pausing the Bikeshare scheme! Many of us use and love the Brighton BikeShare scheme so we were shocked and disappointed to hear the scheme will be paused for several months.

“After I had my hip replacement, the physio said I had to cycle. As I live in a flat, and my own bike has to be carried up and down stairs, that was obviously out – the perfect solution was the BikeShare scheme – I put my crutches in the basket, got on and cycled away. I’ve loved the convenience of the scheme ever since, as you could just cycle one way and leave the bike without worry of theft or about having a drink with friends and getting home.

“I am also very concerned that this issue wasn’t brought before Committee before being publicised in local press. In fact, Councillors got only 8 minutes notice of the matter before a press release was issued.

“Our Environment Transport and Sustainability team will be asking some questions about this at the next meeting on 15 November. We will also be asking about Park & Ride including demanding an update on progress on the feasibility study we called for and which was promised more than a year ago now.

“A number of residents’ groups have taken the time and trouble to come to ETS committee to express their concerns about road safety, including requests for speed reduction and crossings, and we are still waiting for a report back from officers. The Class Divide campaign have made several representations on behalf of a disadvantaged community to get better transport to schools as there is no local secondary school in Whitehawk, and we are still waiting for a report on that issue, too.

“We will also ask a number of questions at the committee requesting responses in writing, given the broad responsibilities of the committee. These include progress on a feasibility study for a new footbridge across the railway in Hove, road safety measures, graffiti, recycling, potholes and climate change mitigation measures.

“The agenda for the November meeting is published here, you can watch along live here, and you can follow the Labour Group’s social media channels and website for updates as always.”

Cllr Carmen Appich

Cllr Carmen Appich has submitted the following written question to the minority Green administration, which will be heard at the upcoming Environment, Transport & Sustainability Committee meeting on Tuesday 15 November:

Many of us use and love the Brighton BikeShare scheme so we were
shocked and disappointed to hear the scheme will be paused for several
months. It is also concerning that this issue wasn’t brought before this
Committee before being publicised in local press. In fact, Councillors got
only 8 minutes notice of the matter before a press release was issued. Can
the administration explain who made the decision to pause including which
councillors were consulted, what alternatives were considered and what
impacts assessments were taken into account?

You can find the full list of questions submitted by Labour Councillors here.

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Image: Creative Commons