Cycling facilities in High Barnet have to be much better than this

It turned out that they take place in the Conservative Offices in Barnet High Street, but the librarians had no knowledge of this.

I rang the doorbell three times and nobody answered. This seems totally inadequate. Surely Barnet Conservative Party has the money to buy a louder doorbell? (To be fair, Councillor Bridget Perry has apologised and suggested just that.) The reason why I tried to attend was that I had been to the Chipping Barnet Area Forum on June 18 and had wanted information on how the installation of cycle stands in High Barnet was progressing. (Currently there are no cycle stands on the east side of Barnet High Street and the top of Barnet Hill. Paradoxically three stands are on the corner of Normandy Avenue, where there is very little footfall.) I was curious to know if any are planned, and if so, where exactly. I also wished to see the regulations governing the choice of location for cycle stands.

The answer was curious. The traffic and development department had looked at the area opposite St Albans Road, where the pavement is obviously too narrow, but had decided against putting any further down the east side of Barnet High Street as there is apparently too much footfall.

Taking this argument to its logical conclusion, the best place for cycle stands must be where there is no footfall – the South Pole possibly? Furthermore, it seems to have escaped this council department that when cyclists dismount they magically become pedestrians.

But where could there be more footfall than outside The Spires? Also there are many areas of pavement further south along Barnet High Street, which are wider than the pavement outside The Spires.

In times of traffic congestion, air pollution and obesity, cycling facilities have to be better than this.

Phil Fletcher

Green Party candidate in High Barnet Ward in the 2014 Local Elections