Cycle Lowestoft

Special Space for a Special Person

2011-03-23T20:06:00.001Z

The driver of W373OLH is a very important person. After all, a special off-road parking space has been set aside just for them!

Move Over

2011-03-23T19:58:00.000Z

A nice wide parking space….but there next to it is a wide pavement. Well it would be silly to turn up the chance of a bit of pavement parking wouldn’t it?

Permeability

2011-02-17T19:58:00.000Z

One way systems are great for cars, but can be a right pain for cyclists. A simple solution to this is to make the streets two way for the cyclist. This works great in Lowestoft err, sort of.

Joined Up Thinking

2011-01-11T17:25:00.001Z

Joined up thinking was a popular phrase not so long back. Well here is a stunning example of it not in action.

THREE people were injured in a two-car crash that blocked the A12 Yarmouth Road in Lowestoft this morning.
And...
AN elderly motorist crashed into a house in north Suffolk today. A woman driving a silver Smart car crashed into a property at the junction of Wymering Road and Manor Park Road in Southwold at around 9.40am, causing damage to a fence.
And...
Five people were taken to hospital this morning following a two-vehicle crash on the A146 at Carlton Colville, near Lowestoft, shortly after 7am.

So what would Suffolk County Council consider doing to help ensure the safty of the towns school children?

Yes, you guessed correctly!

Lollipop men and women fight for their jobs in Lowestoft protest

This just doesn't make any sense. Parents who currently either walk their children to school, or let their older children walk to school by themselves may be tempted to drive then instead. This will cause more congestion, more pollution and make the roads more dangerous for those without a car. But of course only poor people walk, and they don't count.

Less Deaths on Suffolk's Roads

2010-12-30T18:47:00.000Z

It has been reported that roads deaths have fallen to 19 so far this year. Good news indeed! And the reason for this is to put down to er, well, um.....the weather. It would seem that snow on the roads force drivers to slow down, and with slower speeds, less deaths. Who would have thought it!

Sadly four pedestrians have lost their lives. But never fear the police are on the case by clamping down on the potential victims. Its not the fault of drivers going too fast while talking on their hand-held phones, oh-no, its the fault of the victims.

Chief Inspector Ady Dawson, of Suffolk Constabulary’s traffic department, said: “Although we get lots of accidents when there is snow and ice about, they are often not serious, high-speed collisions like we see in the summer months. “The fact we started and ended the year like that has helped bring the figures down.”

Shock Horror! Ice Make The Roads Slippery

2010-11-28T00:06:00.000Z

Winter has hit Lowestoft with the roads being covered with at least 6mm of snow. What couldn't be predicted by some drivers is that it may get a little slippy out there. Never mind, the police were on hand to offer advice.

As well as sending out a warning to motorists, a police spokesman encouraged locals “not to drive too close” to the vehicles in front of them, “leaving plenty of room between you and the vehicle in front”, to “drive slowly and in a high gear” and as well as “being careful” to “take precautions” before setting off on the roads.

2010-11-04T18:00:00.000Z

What a shambles.People are not shopping in this town already as the parking charges are ridiculous and now they want to increase them again.I have already made a comment on the silly parking prices for what we have in this town. It would be cheaper to get a taxi into town than pay these prices unbelievable!!!! Thanks WDC and tories for messing up this town.

Saw this comment on the new and improved LJ web site. I wonder if the contributor are themselves a taxi driver?

Of course there is a much better option for getting in to town for most people. Walk or cycle ! But as well all know, we have a RIGHT to DRIVE where and when we want to. Asking motorists to pay to park their chuck of rapidly depreciating metal just isn't fair is it?

http://www.lowestoftjournal.co.uk/news/parking_charges_could_rise_in_waveney_1_715958

I Pay Road Tax.....NOT!

2010-10-20T16:39:00.000+01:00

I was in Sidegate Motors recently and saw this offer on a shiny new car. Apparently you get three years 'road tax' as part of the deal. Well it is a shame that no one pays road tax, yep thats right, no one. Why? Because it was done away with in the 1930's. For more information on this please go to www.ipayroadtax.com

No Vehicles!

2010-10-16T15:24:00.000+01:00

WDC have decided to stop cyclists using London Road North at any time, hence the No Vehicle sign. But of course this doesn't apply to those nice people from B Sky B setting up their stall in the town centre.

Traffic Jams in Lowestoft?

2010-10-15T16:06:00.000+01:00

Today we launch a new “Shop Local for Christmas” scheme, which will encourage people to do their festive shopping in the town and areas around them instead of heading to the bright lights, and traffic jams, of Norwich and Ipswich.

So the traffic problems of our beloved town are sorted. Was a third crossing with a multi-lane motorway system installed overnight? Or maybe the bods in planning read a cycling based Lowestoft blog and realised that a less car-centric way of thinking was needed?
Nope nothing has changed. The LJ just would like its readers to get stuck in a local jam rather than one in a different town!

Sums it Up!

2010-10-15T15:55:00.001+01:00

This Sums up the attitude to cycling in Lowestoft! No Cycling painted across the prom, while 4x4 owners are free to drive up and down carrying cups, wind breaks and beach balls to and from their sheds. It is utter madness, but the sort of madness we have come to expect.

Permeability...or not!

2010-10-15T15:51:00.000+01:00

The cycle doesn't need a lot of room, so is ideal for what the planners call 'permeability'. However, the driver of DA05VKC, maybe a little short of brain cells and is under the impression that the hatched area is a special place for a 'special' driver. Hmmmm maybe they are 'special', it would explain a lot!

Animals Roam on the A12

2010-07-23T21:25:00.000+01:00

It would seem that the animals who kill the most on our roads had to slow down a little as non-killing beasts walked around on the A12.The incident caused chaos for about an hour and the animals were herded up by 7.30am.

Car Crime Continues to Rise in Suffolk

2010-07-09T17:40:00.000+01:00

It would seem that our roads are getting more lawless! Lots of drivers (over 29,000) were caught speeding. Of course this is only a fraction of the true total.
But Matthew Elliott, chief executive of the TaxPayers' Alliance, said: “Motorists have long suspected that speed cameras are more about raising money than keeping the roads safe.

If motorists really want to stop raising money in this way they could try driving within the speed limit. I know its a daft thought, but it might just work!

Road Death

2010-07-08T14:03:00.000+01:00

Sadly ours roads have claimed another victim this week when a 39 year old man was run over by a lorry. Or as the Lowestoft Journal put it "collision".

People do not collide with cars and trucks, they are run over. But this sort of language would never do as it would suggest that the drivers of 1 tonne + vehicles were maybe speeding, using a mobile phone, adjusting the sat nav, changing a CD ..........

The 39-year-old man was in collision with a lorry on Yarmouth Road in Lowestoft at about 3pm on Tuesday.

More Free Parking

2010-06-25T15:19:00.000+01:00

As we all know, there just isn't enough free parking in our town. But it seems that WDC have found an extra space to park.

This picture is from the Lowestoft Journal

Yes the most easterly point in the UK, is now the countries most easterly parking spot!
A SPECIAL sunset-to-sunrise challenge hit Lowestoft this week - bringing a leading television personality and a brand new Jaguar car roaring into town.

Bike It Week

2010-06-23T19:11:00.000+01:00

Bike week has hit Lowestoft! I was lucky enough to be invited on a ride around town to show our local councillors the good, bad and ugly aspects of the towns cycling infrastructure. It started off well with the bike doctor giving free checks.

We then set off around town being shown some good, and some not so good practise.
Out of the 48 councillors invited, only 2, yes TWO, showed up. And to rub salt into the wound both of these people represent ward outside of Lowestoft!

This sort of thing would not be installed today, but still it lives on. Maybe things will start to change soon.

Lowestoft's third crossing. OK, no cars but it is a jolly good crossing serving the people who know that there is another way to travel.

This an example of very good design. Its nice to see that cycling infrastructure can be of the highest quality in Lowestoft

Then of course there is this. The main crossing in the town is very cycle unfriendly. Maybe they could allow cycling on the footpath in the short term. But seeing the lack of commitment from most of the town's leaders I am not holding my breath.

ConDems Soft on Crime

2010-06-21T20:14:00.000+01:00

Who would have thought that the new government would go so easy on those who commit crime? Of course its only car crime, so that's OK then.
THERE could be fewer speed cameras on Suffolk's roads in future as the county council and police hold discussions about budgets cuts. The Government has already said it will provide no more money to councils for new fixed speed cameras.

So what if about 3000 people die on our roads every year, its so unfair when a speeding motorists gets three points and a fine.

A Hazard to Drivers

2010-06-18T17:13:00.001+01:00

We all know how much danger that cyclists and joggers put a motorist in don't we? After all, there you are driving along in a ton or two of metal, when all of a sudden you are put into a hazardous position by a person on a bike or wearing a pair of training shoes. Its not fair is it? After all you have a right to drive without having to take account of people using your road, people who don't even pay road tax!

When the coalition government is looking at new laws, it could do worse than to ban the wearing of iPod earphones on cyclists, joggers, and pedestrians and even dog walkers. They are a hazard to DRIVERS and people put themselves in danger every time they plug in their earphones and cut off the world.

Well try making the roads safer by proper policing and clamping down on speeding, drink driving, mobile phone use..............

Good News for All!

2010-06-16T18:59:00.000+01:00

The Volvo and Audi cavalcade is on its way. It's the stores Lowestoft offers that will help draw in the shopping hoards as hard times bite - and everyone will benefit.

Ms Filler once again shows us her car-centric way of thinking. A cavalcade of Volvos and Audis coming down the road would make me glad to be in the utterly brilliant cycle lanes of Lowestoft. As we all know, a few broken white lines is all you need to make cycling safe for all.

Who Cares About Children?

2010-06-06T18:14:00.000+01:00

It would seem that there are some people living in Norfolk who would rather see a child killed on the A12, than to have people ride a bicycle past their house. Of course the delay in building a safe route for children to cycle to school is adding to the expense. But these selfish individuals don't care about the lives of children, so they are not really likely to care about other peoples council tax are they?

Work on the new cycle/footpath in Warren Road between Gorleston Squash Club and Hopton Holiday Village was due to start on May 4, costing £80,000. But county council spokesman John Birchall revealed costs were mounting after work was stopped when a parked vehicle prevented council vehicles reaching the site. Instead, the council is considering taking legal action to adopt part of the unmade path about 30m in length close to Cliff Cottages at the Hopton end to prevent a repeat of the blockade.

All Change at the Journal?

2010-05-23T11:43:00.001+01:00

News of more pain being caused on Lowestoft's roads.Cyclist seriously injured in Lowestoft crash AMY GRAY 22 May 2010 A 70-year-old cyclist was left with serious head and abdominal injuries after a collision with a coach in Lowestoft yesterday. A spokesman for the East of England Ambulance Service said the man was taken to Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, by the Anglia One air ambulance. Emergency services were called to Beccles Road, near to the train station at Oulton Broad, at 4.30pm and the road was temporarily closed for the air ambulance to land.

This is indeed a horrible thing to happen to any one. Lets hope the police will get to work and investigate the cause of this crash.

Notice the wording used by the reporter. The word CRASH is used, but later in the report, we are back to the tired phrase of COLLISION. Now did a 70 year old really have a collision with a coach? Or was it the other way round? This way of reporting is so common now that it is taken for granted. Maybe one day there will be a real change of reporting style at the LJ, we wait, and wait......

Harsh Action on Speeders

2010-05-21T16:02:00.000+01:00

It would seem that the menace of speeding motorist is being taken very seriously around Lowestoft. Or not.....

The information is then passed on to the police so that letters can be sent to the drivers. If more than two letters are sent, police officers can visit the drivers to speak to them about speed awareness.

So the 'minor' problem of speeding on our roads is beneath the local police force, and so it is being left to groups of volunteers to catch these anti-social morons. But of course they are unable to enforce the law, so the details are being passed on to the police so that letters can be sent. I bet every one who risks the lives of others are really worried about getting a letter, or in really bad cases, having to face a chat about the error of their ways.

When will the car centric powers understand that speeding not only causes untold pain and misery, it also reinforces the view that our streets are for the sole use of motor traffic?

Speeding "crack down"

2010-04-23T17:36:00.000+01:00

I was clearly wrong in my last posting as there is to be a crack down on speeding. This action is being taken very seriously for a whole er, week. Yep, one week, well I am sure that it will have a large effect. I look forward to reading that many motorists were "spoken to" during this week of dramatic action.
Speeding motorists facing police crackdown across Suffolk

Lots of Non-action by Police Deemmed "Success"

2010-04-23T17:28:00.000+01:00

A DIY community crackdown in Suffolk towns and villages has led to nearly 500 speeding drivers receiving written reprimands, according to police.

Nearly 500 people were caught breaking the law by teams of locals borrowing speed guns. The police then spun in to in-action by writing a letter asking these people not to speed again. If they did, then the police would then send them another letter. It is only car crime that would have our forces of law and order acting in such a way.

Operation "Crack pot"

2010-04-22T00:48:00.000+01:00

Watch out, there's a terrorist about!

A campaign aiming to sink the activity of terrorist groups from operating on the region's waters, as well as deter maritime criminals, is being launched tomorrow. Project Kraken encourages people who work on or enjoy Norfolk and Suffolk's maritime environment to stay vigilant to the threat of criminal activity and terrorism.

As we all know, terrorists love to visit Lowestoft and they often come by sea. They will only do this until the third crossing is built. If those in charge are interested in the real terrorists they should turnabout 180 degrees and have a look at the motorists who cause real terror. Those drivers who think that a red light means something other than stop. Who think it is quite OK to rev their engines in a threating manner at people walking across a pedestrian crossing, or those who see nothing wrong in using a ton or two of car as an offensive weapon against anyone daring to cycle across the bridge.
Only when a change in the car-centric way of thinking is changed will the town become a much less scary place. Until then, keep on looking out to sea.

PS. This blog is 100 postings old :)

2010-04-20T22:04:00.000+01:00

CRIME in Suffolk is at its lowest for almost a decade after overall offending fell for the fifth consecutive year. Latest annual performance figures released today (Monday) by Suffolk Constabulary show that in the last year the force recorded 4,045 fewer crimes than in 2001/2002.

But the police do not see pavement parking, speeding, texting while driving, .......... as crimes worth looking into, they certainly have do desire to try and stop this sort of everyday crime from happening. Why should they, after all, only about another sixty families will laying a loved on to rest this week due to a death on our roads.

Law Breaking is OK in Suffolk

2010-04-17T12:47:00.000+01:00

It would seem that it is OK to break the law in Suffolk, that is if you are a motorist.He said he was not keen for Suffolk to follow other authorities, such as Cumbria, which have adopted a policy of enforcing all speed limits, and not just those at accident blackspots.

So speeding is condoned in areas which are not see as an accident blackspot? With about 3000 people being killed on our roads each year why should we be concerned? Can you ever see shoplifters being treated in such a way? Me neither, but breaking the law with a car is somehow acceptable.

A Lack of Understanding

2010-03-27T20:32:00.000Z

Its good to see that WDC have at last allowed cycling along the prom. They have reinforced this with the above signage. Its a shame that they do not understand the concept of a shared space though.

The cyclist is now meant to stay on the unmarked cycle route, but other users are free to go where they like. This is likely to bring different groups into conflict. If it does then the anti-cycling group within WDC will soon be pushing to put cyclist back on those killer cycle lanes that they are so proud of.

Now this sums up their attitude. Cyclists are to keep to a poorly defined path, but White Van Man is free to drive along the prom as he sees fit. Maybe this is what WDC understands to be a shared space.

Red Means...er very little (again)

2010-03-26T20:25:00.000Z

Drivers often seem to treat the red lights as if they are similar to traffic lights at a junction, but they are entirely different and trains can't stop quickly like modern cars can…

That is similar to red traffic lights that mean stop? Not in Lowestoft, oh no, red means "go on then, just a few more". Will the police ever get round to doing something about streets that are getting more lawless every day?
I am not holding my breath.

No Cycling in Store

2010-03-21T19:41:00.001Z

Sorry no bicycles allowed in the shop.
Now that is not something that you see every day even in pro-car town like Lowestoft. Where is this displayed?

Why would anyone want to take their bike into Early Dawn Nurseries? Well it could have something to do with the utter contempt shown to the cyclist pound. Why would you leave your trusty bike in crap facilities such as this?

Good old wheel benders and no way of locking your bike. No wonder people have been forced to take their bike in store with them.

Motor Sick Lowestoft

2010-03-20T19:04:00.001Z

This sums up just how the car has taken over in Lowestoft. Despite there being seven cars in this picture that are breaking the law, there is no chance of any of law breaking drivers being prosecuted. The authorities are more than happy to let blatant law breaking to continue in this town. Of course local councillors are very happy to go on about dog crap on the pavement, but not crappy drivers.

Nothing Like Being Litter Free

2010-03-13T09:27:00.000Z

I know that those in power treat walkers and cyclists like rubbish, but this really is pushing it. Lowestoft prom, and shared use path. That is shared by walkers, cyclists and other vermin.

Clear as Mud

2010-03-13T09:24:00.000Z

Its a little bit confusing being a cyclist in North Walsham. This is yet another sign that those in power have no interest in making walking and cycling an attractive way of getting around town.

Tree Leaf?

2010-03-03T19:55:00.000Z

You have to hand it to those in power. Motorists are speeding through Norfolk villages, so what to do? Well average speed cameras will do the job of slowing most people down, and those who choose to break the law get punished. But that could be seen as persecuting 'other wise law abiding drivers', so lets plant some trees. OK they may take a decade to mature, but that is a small price to pay for not upsetting the road lobby.

Mr Allen said part of the thinking was that by enhancing the look of villages with trees, motorists might realise people care about their community and drive more carefully.

More Quality Cycle Routes

2010-02-26T09:04:00.000Z

This just the sort of thing that is to be expected in and around Lowestoft. Why is rubbish like this seen so often? Maybe because those in power do not cycle and are very happy to claim 40p per mile to drive on council business.

Woman with no Name on Charm Offensive

2010-02-26T08:12:00.000Z

The woman who seems to have no name is telling us all what a bad year 2009 was for her. Of course it was a lot worse for the school children that were crushed under the car she drove along the pavement. Why is this woman getting to put here side of the story again in the Lowestoft Journal? Why is her name not being published? Will we ever find out?

A MOTORIST whose car mounted the pavement and collided with a party of school children has spoken for the first time about the remorse and sadness she feels.

Weak Justice

2010-02-25T08:10:00.000Z

ANDREW Boyd, manager of rock star Pete Doherty, was jailed for 12 months today after leaving a Hadleigh man fighting for his life following a collision with a car. Boyd, 42, was also banned from driving for three years, for being the driver involved in a hit-and-run in Benton Street, Hadleigh, which left Chris Corder with life-changing injuries Mr Corder, of Benton Street, was left in a coma with traumatic brain injuries and will need constant care for the remainder of his life. Five months after the accident the 42-year-old is still in a coma at Colman Hospital in Norwich. Boyd, of Lady Margaret Road in London, was sentenced at Ipswich Crown Court after previously admitting dangerous driving, failing to stop at the scene of an injury collision and failing to report an injury collision. He also admitted driving without insurance and driving without reasonable consideration.

Colliding Pedestrian Complains

2010-02-25T08:06:00.000Z

A WOMAN in her 60s was taken to hospital today after she was involved in a car collision. The pedestrian was complaining of head pain when paramedics arrived at the junction of Garden Lane and Lowestoft Road, in Worlingham, at around 1.30pm. An ambulance took the woman, whose injuries are not thought to be serious, to the James Paget Hospital to be checked over.

Some people! First this woman had the audacity to collide with a car, and then complain about a sore head! Even though she refused to be properly injured, she was taken to the hospital.

And no mention at all of the other party involved, I do hope that the driver of the car was unhurt.

Serial Offenders Kill

2010-02-22T17:52:00.000Z

Wright had previous convictions for speeding and driving without due care and attention. Riseborough had a list of convictions for various driving matters, including anti-social driving, failure to report an accident and speeding.
This pair of serial car criminals took the life of an 18 year old with their stupid attitude. Three and a half years in prison is no where near enough. If they had killed with a gun or knife then their sentence would have be more far tougher. But as we all know, car crime isn't real crime.

More Road Death

2010-02-22T17:27:00.000Z

Its been a sad couple of days as the regions road death tally rises yet again. It seems most odd that these deaths are just accepted as an accident, just one of those things. Why is there not a public outrage at this waste of life? Why do we just shrug and get on with our lives instead of questioning those who police, design and plan our road network? If this level of death and suffering was to happen in any other sphere of our lives we would demand action.
A DRIVER was killed on Saturday morning after a car left the road and landed in a ditch.

The youngster was killed in a car accident after the Land Rover he was travelling in left the road and crashed into a field just south of Peasenhall, near Framlingham.

Close That Path

2010-02-10T10:58:00.000Z

It is good to see a cycle path being upgraded. But can you imagine the up-roar if a road was shut down for twelve weeks? But as we all know pedestrians and cyclists do not matter very much in Lowestoft.

More Polly Filler

2010-02-05T23:08:00.000Z

How does Ms Filler AKA Rachel Moore, keep making this stuff up? Now she would like to see children playing with dangerous things such as fire, boiling water, rocks and........ yep, bicycles.

Although I might draw a line at letting my toddler lick a nine-volt battery, playing with fire, learning about boiling water and throwing rocks are just what children should be learning.

And "These children barely see sunlight - playing outside is so dangerous, don't you know? - bikes are lethal and climbing frames are the devil's work."

Over Tired

2010-02-05T22:54:00.001Z

"........I would add that the circumstances are consistent with her having suffered a medical episode or extreme fatigue, the latter being an element that we cannot prove.”

So the pavement mounting child colliding case gets more interesting. Now it seems she could have been suffering extreme fatigue, or sleeping as it is sometimes called. I assume this is why "....they could not take any immediate action unless it was believed the crash was a criminal act, such as drink driving,......." After all, running down school children is not anything to get too upset about is it?

And some of the victims and their parents are thinking about making a claim for compensation. Not that really isn't fair, after all the poor driver has gone through already. I mean, a whole six months without a driving licence, what more punishment do people want?

“They have not come up with an answer that warrants the magnitude of the accident. The police have not played their part.”

Spot the Difference

2010-02-03T19:33:00.000Z

Nice to see Lowestoft's best loved paper, the Lowestoft Journal, gets it reporting spot on as always.

Dead otters were struck by cars

Three-year-old in collision with car in Lowestoft

Odd that otters are struck but children merely have collisions.

Police to Target Crime

2010-02-01T20:24:00.000Z

Well I never! It would seem that the local police are going to crack down on car crime. Ok, its only for one weekend, but its a start. I wonder how many law breakers will be let off with a warning.

The weekend is an annual event where thousands of volunteer officers across the country take part in dedicated patrols and operations based around a particular crime reduction issue. This year's theme is Roads Policing.

No Charge

2010-02-01T20:18:00.000Z

Utterly incredible. You can drive a car off the road and on to the pavement and run a group of school children over. (Sorry LJ, a group of children collided with a car). But there is no charge, no points, no nothing. Except some badly hurt school children, but they don't count when it comes to the right to drive on British roads.

“Following extensive enquiries into the cause of the collision, and consultation with the Crown Prosecution, medical reports on the 41-year-old mean police will take no further action against her.”

Loss of Control

2010-01-31T17:02:00.002Z

This just about sums up the attitude to cycling in and around Lowestoft. A collision between a road sign and a car. This "loss of control" happened on cycle route 31.

A car has left the road at some speed which can be seen as both the road sign and the warning sing have been flattened.

It looks like the driver came around this bend so fast that they were unable to get around it. Lucky that it was only street furniture that got collided with.

Driver Distraction

2010-01-31T13:14:00.000Z

Bolton Council has said it is concerned that the tributes are a distraction to drivers or an unwanted reminder that someone died in their neighbourhood.

A distraction to drivers? Unlike mobile phone use I suppose. And to be remind that a person has been killed in a road crash, well that is just shocking and shouldn't be allowed to happen.

Road Death Spin

2010-01-29T18:19:00.000Z

THE sister of a much-loved Lowestoft girl who died as she made her way to primary school almost three years ago is preparing to run the London Marathon in her memory. Six-year-old Samantha “Mantha” Castledine died in March 2007 when she was involved in a collision with a lorry at the crossing on the A12 Yarmouth Road.

Another way of reporting this could be to say that Samantha was killed when she was run over by a lorry at a crossing point.

The crossing place still has no lights or zig zags. The pedestrian pen does now have two lollypop people during school terms, and they even stop the traffic traveling in both directions!

Third Crossing Not Happening

2010-01-28T09:55:00.000Z

So it seems that an MP is upset that millions of pounds isn't being spent on more roads in Lowestoft. A third crossing is not what this town needs, its a third less cars. The best way to bring that about is to bring in a 20mph blanket speed limit, and make a safe route for cycles across the bridge. But that would upset the car lobby, so lets just carry on as normal, more jams and "collisions"

The third crossing is what Lowestoft needs most and what people want

Trouble at Bridge

2010-01-27T17:44:00.000Z

It seems that some car drivers were held up at the bridge yesterday due to problems with the lights. Maybe the powers in charge tried to ride a bike over the bridge at rush hour, they maybe they would be a little more keen to improve safety for the towns cyclists.
Lowestoft motorists face more bascule bridge chaos

Ms Moore Strikes Again!

2010-01-23T14:16:00.000Z

The Lowestoft Journal's very own Polly Filler, Rachel Moore, has shown us her views of cyclists once more. It would seem that bicycles are as deadly as cars, fags and booze. Just how many people are killed by bikes? er not very many. But that doesn't seem to bother Ms Moore, or the child colliding LJ.

So would banning the car, alcohol, cigarettes, bicycles, stairs, kitchen knives, anything that has ever contributed to the death of anyone or any thing.

"Cycle Helmets Mandatory"

2010-01-22T23:56:00.000Z

Can I take this opportunity to remind you that cycle helmets are mandatory (an action, based on parental wishes) and seek your support to ensure that the riding to school is not ‘play’?

This is a quote from a newsletter from Pakefield Middle school. Since when have cycle helmets been mandatory? It would be better if less parents drove their children to school, but would the head have the nerve to state that walking or cycling to school was "mandatory"? Nope I thought not.

Drink Drive Suffolk

2010-01-14T16:57:00.000Z

It would seem that the police have sorted out the problem of drink driving on Suffolk's road at last. Only 6.7% of those tested were over the limit. Ok that is a drop from 8% last December but is hardly cause for celebration.

Drop in Christmas drink drive cases in Suffolk

Child Collides with Car (again)

2010-01-14T16:51:00.000Z

Just what is it with the children of Lowestoft? It seems that the moment a child is let outside for just a moment, they go and collide with a car! It isn't, of course, anything to do with the car-centric reporters of the Lowestoft Journal being unable to tell the world that a child has been run over by a car.

It seems that this poor child has come off worse in the "collision". Just as long as the driver of the car is free to go about their business without too much of a delay.

A spokesman for the ambulance service said that the child was unable to move his legs and was screaming with pain.

Pedestrian Collides with Car

2010-01-07T17:25:00.000Z

A new year and not much has changed on the roads. Quite how a pedestrian can collide with a car, I don't know. But it seems that is what happened. Nice to see that the current bad weather was not to blame!
A pedestrian was taken to hospital following a collision with a car in Kessingland this morning.

Home for Xmas

2009-12-21T21:32:00.000Z

Killing a child with a car is only worth a three year prison term. But after only 8 months you can come home for xmas to spend time with your loved ones. Not that the family of the victim can ever see their loved one again.

The mother of a teenager killed by a police car has said she is "disgusted" that the officer jailed over her death is to be allowed home over Christmas.

Car Crash Bingo

2009-12-18T21:54:00.000Z

Nice to see that the person who collided with a group of school kids is still to go to court. When (if) she ever gets there here are a few phrases that could be used. I have no magic ball for looking into the future, but lets see how many I get right.

Momentary lack of attention
Loss of control
Car left the road
Collided with children
Deeply sorry
Few hundred pound fine
A few points on licence

A 40-year-old woman from Lowestoft has been rebailed in connection with the incident as test results are still awaited, and is due to appear at Lowestoft Police Station on January 29.

Killer Free on Our Streets

2009-12-18T21:46:00.000Z

If you were to be accused of taking a persons life, then there is a very good chance that you would be held on remand until the case was heard at court. Unless that is, if you kill someone using a car. Then you would be given bail, after all, death by car isn't as serious as death by gun or knife.

The youth was arrested by investigating officers last Thursday and has been bailed without charge to return to Lowestoft police station on January 21.

Police Go Easy on Crime

2009-12-04T16:56:00.000Z

PC Davey and other officers have been using speed detection equipment in the “affected areas” to “detect and deter” offences. And between September 16 and November 25, 11 drivers received a police caution for excess speed, while three fixed penalty notices were also issued.

So if the police were to catch 14 muggers would they let over 78% off? No, of course they wouldn't, but as its speeding motorists that we are talking about, then what do you expect?

The piece has this quote "Admitting her “worry” and constant concerns about the youngsters who are being encouraged to walk to school as they make their way along Colville Road, Mrs Mortimer told The Journal:” Something needs to be done as this is an accident waiting to happen as cars travel along this road.”

Children being encouraged to walk to school, shocking! They should be driven any distance, however short, preferably in a large 4X4. Its the only way to keep our children safe.

Utter Rubish

2009-12-04T08:20:00.000Z

How to stop cars speeding through a small village. Do you send the police to catch the law breakers? Set up speed cameras to catch the criminals in the act? Don't be silly, you can not pick on otherwise law abiding drivers , everyone knows that.

What to do is put stickers on rubbish bins and display then one day a week. That will slow them down, and maybe stop children colliding with cars.

http://www.lowestoftjournal.co.uk/content/lowestoftjournal/news/story.aspx?brand=LOWOnline&category=NEWS&tBrand=lowonline&tCategory=news&itemid=NOED02%20Dec%202009%2016%3A49%3A19%3A857

Absolutely Ridiculous

2009-11-27T20:58:00.000Z

Nigel Humphries, spokesman for the Association of British Drivers, said reducing speed limits was "absolutely ridiculous" and insisted it was still disputed that climate change was manmade. "People should have a choice – we pay enough fuel tax," he said. "When you get on a motorway and there are a lot of trucks, the air is moving, the difference in fuel consumption between 55mph and 85mph is minimal."

And there was me thinking that the speed limit on a UK motorway was 70 mph. Is the ABD condoning law breaking? Well it is "only" speeding and "otherwise law abiding motorists" do have to travel as fast as they can after all.

And what do the worlds climate scientists know about any thing?

Child Collides with Car

2009-11-26T21:52:00.000Z

In the old days children used to be run over by cars. This would imply that the driver of the car was in some way responsible for the pain and suffering caused. But not any more. Being a car centric publication the Lowestoft Journal likes to inform us that a three year old child collided with a car. The child was badly hurt, but no word on the damage that this person caused to the car. What next?, a tree colliding with a car?

Link here.Three-year-old in collision with car in Lowestoft

Red Means...er very little

2009-11-11T20:37:00.000Z

An amber light means stop, as does a red one. But some motorists in Lowestoft seem to think that the law doesn't apply to them. And to be fair the chances of them getting points for the offence is very slight indeed.Read the full story here.

"Shock and sadness of Lowestoft motorist"

2009-10-02T16:01:00.000+01:00

The Lowestoft motorist involved in a horrific crash in which schoolchildren were seriously injured has spoken of her shock and sadness this week. The 40-year-old woman, who has not been named, was driving through Worlingham on Friday, when her car, a blue Nissan, was involved in a collision with a group of pedestrians including schoolchildren. Although she was not prepared to talk about the horrifying incident, which has left her stunned and shaken, she said: “I am very shocked and very sad.”

But I doubt she is as shocked or sad as the people who were collided with.

The Long Trek

2009-09-29T15:30:00.000+01:00

Mr Perry said: “I myself, when I arrived, had to walk a considerable way down the highway. I had a five to eight minute walk to the main access point.”
It would seem that a very small group of protesters caused a nuclear power station to go in to a lock down. To make matters far worse, Mr Perry had to walk "a considerable way".

Assuming that Mr P can manage 3mph out of his car than in 5-8 minutes he would have travelled between 500-700 yards. As we all know, the human body just isn't made to travel so far unaided.

Learn to turn

2009-09-29T07:17:00.001+01:00

If you have problems doing a three point turn then come to lowestoft sea front. Cyclists are banned so there are only a few dog walkers to collide with.
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Now Thats What I Call Justice!

2009-09-27T01:01:00.000+01:00

A 40-year-old woman from Lowestoft who was arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving has been released on police bail and is due to return to Lowestoft police station on November 6.
So you drive your car on the pavement in to a group of school children and are free to walk (or indeed drive) the streets. If the children were hurt with a knife or gun then there would be no chance that the perpetrator of this crime would be free. But car crime? Well its just not the same thing is it?

ps. Any one want to take a bet that the phrase "lost control" will be used later on?

How to Give Up Cycling

2009-09-27T00:54:00.000+01:00

“Buy a car? But that’s such an unreliable way to travel around town. You never know when you are going to arrive because of congestion and problems with parking. I mean, I have work to do and people who rely on me being on time for my appointments.”

A little light reading .......

Its All in the Reporting

2009-09-25T20:31:00.000+01:00

There was a very nasty indecent today. It seems that either a car collided with a group of school children (Link here) , or that a car ploughed into a group of school children (Link Here).

The same story, but with a very different slant placed on it. The very car centric Lowestoft Journal is very fond of using the term "collide" when cars run cyclists and pedestrians over. Why this should be is not known. Can any one enlighten me?

No Insurance

2009-09-24T15:52:00.000+01:00

"You cyclists should get insurance!" is a shout often heard from drivers who are fed up sitting in a jam watching cyclists go past them. May be car drivers should sort out their own act first, as it seems that many of them are driving around knowingly breaking the law.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/8272054.stm

Park Life!

2009-09-24T15:41:00.001+01:00

This is what greets you at the entrance to Kensington Gardens. Of course cycles are banned, and only authorised vehicles permitted. What sort of vehicles? Vans delivering lawn mowers? Trucks picking up branch cuttings? Not even close!

Nope, what WDC allows is a person who works at the tea shop to drive through the grounds, just so he can park close to his place of employment. Now walking would be just too much to ask wouldn't it?

Plenty of Room

2009-09-24T15:30:00.002+01:00

This is the quality of cycle lanes that WDC want people to ride on in Lowestoft. On the left you are in the door zone and to the right of you this bus driver is unable to keep out of the cycle lane. To make matters worse the highway authorities have so little regard for cyclists they only put a broken line on the outside of the lane. So the bus driver is not breaking any law.

With utter rubbish like this being offered, is it any wonder that many cyclists would rather cycle along the prom?

Kafka Would be Proud

2009-09-24T15:20:00.000+01:00

I wrote a while ago about a PCSO offering to fine me for cycling past a "Recommend Route for Cyclists" sign.
http://cyclelowestoft.blogspot.com/2009/09/pcso-not-making-much-sense.html

To keep you all up-to-date I was contacted by PS 265 Andy Green. A Sargent no less! It seems that I am breaking the law as the sign is in the wrong place. If I was to be issued with a fixed penalty charge I can appeal it. The appeal would be upheld as the sign states that I can cycle there.

The police and WDC are going to have a meeting about this sign to sort this problem out.
Will the WDC..

a change the by-law and allow cycling?
b move the sign and force cyclist away from a safe traffic free route and on to LRS?

Answers on an e-mail to likewecare@wdc.con

Large Problem

2009-09-23T10:00:00.001+01:00

Now we are all aware of the large problem that obesity is causing in our society. One of the reasons is the lack of exercise that our young children are doing. With parents like this putting their weight behind the problem, then I am sure that it will soon be solved.

Or maybe not, as the driver of this car X445TBJ saw no problem with driving on the wrong side of the road, forcing me to get out of their way. And then stop right outside the school gates on the yellow zig-zag. Never mind the lawless driving, just as long as you do not have to walk very far!

Which Way to Town?

2009-09-23T09:49:00.001+01:00

So you want to ride to the town centre? With clear signage like this you will soon be on your way.

Of course poor quality cycle facilities like this could well be a sign that the powers-to-be have no interest in using the cycle routes around the town.

No Cycling!

2009-09-23T09:41:00.000+01:00

The local PCSO officers seemed very sure of themselves when threatening to give me a fine for cycling along a recommend cycle route. Pity that they are not so hot on people driving along the prom. But where's the harm in that?

It Wouldn't Happen Over Here!

2009-09-23T08:16:00.000+01:00

The driver of a New York bin lorry who knocked down and killed a couple from Somerset has been found guilty on two charges of second-degree murder.

In the UK the road lobby and the car-centric authorities would have let this chap off with a £50 fine and three points on his licence.

Missing Countdown

2009-09-23T07:59:00.000+01:00

Coote, who played more than 60 games for Norwich City between 1996 and 2001, was clocked by a hand-held radar doing 48mph along the main road through Filby, near Yarmouth, which had a limit of 30mph. Yesterday the former Northern Ireland international was warned he could be banned for up to six months from getting behind the wheel as he already had nine points on his licence. And Coote's court hearing next month could prevent him from appearing on his favourite television show - Countdown.
Now that's an interesting spin on this story. A speeding motorist with nine points on his licence has been caught speeding through a Norfolk village.

Never mind that he has broken the law, this criminal used to play football nor Norwich, and hopes to appear on Countdown. So that makes it all ok then?

Keep Death off the Roads....

2009-09-21T13:50:00.000+01:00

Keep death off the roads, drive on the pavement. Yes I know its an old joke, but pavement driving is still very much alive here in Lowestoft.

Pavement Crime

2009-09-21T13:46:00.000+01:00

Build outs are being used more often in Lowestoft. They are a way of slowing traffic and improving safety at junctions. However they also make perfect parking places for the pavement driver. Free parking with just about a zero chance of getting a ticket from the car crime blind police force.

Yellow Lines and VIPs

2009-09-21T13:40:00.000+01:00

Yellow line have been upgraded in Lowestoft. Once they were painted on the road to prevent people from parking in dangerous places such as bends. But now they are there to show important people such as this WVM and MX5 owner that this bend is a perfect place to stop.

Lawless Roads

2009-09-21T13:32:00.000+01:00

MORE than 1,000 motorists were caught speeding in Suffolk over the last seven days, police said today. A further 91 drivers were stopped for seatbelts offences during the week-long European speed enforcement campaign in the county between last Monday and yesterday.

That's over 1000 speeding tickets issued in a week. If this was street crime then there would be questions asked. But as its car crime then very little seems to be being done. With this level of conviction you may think that there is a large problem that needs to be sorted. But I doubt very much that an operation like this one will be done again until next year.

Police Get Soft on Crime

2009-09-17T20:04:00.000+01:00

ALMOST 20 drivers recorded speeding in Hopton and Belton have been sent warning letters by police.

That's the way to treat car criminals, send them a letter asking them to please stop speeding. If they were breaking the law then they should have points put on their licence. But seeing how our powers to be are so in bed with the road lobby, that would be too much to ask.

2 4 1 at asda

2009-09-16T16:28:00.000+01:00

Not to be out done by their rivels, here is another example of thoughtless parking.
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2 4 1 at tesco

2009-09-16T14:00:00.000+01:00

Parking spaces that is!
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More dodgy parking

2009-09-16T13:29:00.000+01:00

The driver of this truck shows no regard to yellow lines, or indeed the corner he is parked on.
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Path? What path?

2009-09-16T10:02:00.000+01:00

Nice to see that whoever is digging up the path here is kind enough to direct cars around the works. However the poor pedestrians will just have to take their chances as no provision has been made for them. Who would you complain to? Who knows as the contractor has left no contact details.

Double yellow lines

2009-09-16T09:54:00.000+01:00

Parking on double yellow lines and blocking a cycle route. All in a days work for Duncan and son. Builders from Southwold.

Triangle Terrors

2009-09-15T13:13:00.004+01:00

The Triangle at the bottom of the High Street is clearly marked a pedestrian zone, except for loading between 4pm and 10.30am.

Well that isn't going to stop Powerco Electrical (01502 538632) or MRB Handyman (01502 569339) from parking there. Nor is it going to stop the driver of N941SCU from driving straight through.

And this blatant law breaking taking place just yards from the police station. Amazing, seeing what a high priority the local police put on car crime.

Utter Rubbish!

2009-09-15T12:54:00.002+01:00

This has to be one of the best cycling "facilities" in the town. You have to get around three metal railings, cycle a short distance then avoid the bollard and parked car.

With rubbish like this being forced on us it is pretty clear that the powers to be never get out of their cars and try cycling around Lowestoft.

Teaching Best Practice

2009-09-15T12:45:00.002+01:00

Go driving school (01502 581918) likes to teach its pupils the art of parking on the pavement. Should people who have such contempt for the law be allowed to teach learner drivers?

PCSO Not Making Much Sense

2009-09-15T09:38:00.004+01:00

At the south end of Lowestoft prom, near to Kessington Gardens, the "Recommended route for Cyclists" sign is clearly displayed.

And half way down there is a No Motor Vehicle sign, but still nothing to make you think that the cycle route has finished.

And down by the fountains the signage stays on track.

Just a few yards from this spot I was stopped by a PCSO who informed me that I could get a fixed penelty notice for riding along here. The reason given was that the signs were wrong!

Both the police and WDC have been e-mailed but after nearly a week, neither could be bothered to reply to me.

Jag Crossing

2009-07-03T20:33:00.000+01:00

This Jag driver shows the contempt he has for pedestrians by stopping on the crossing. What hope is there for us with people like this on the roads?

Too Important For One Space

2009-07-03T20:24:00.001+01:00

Why have one parking space, when you can take up two?

Another Police Clampdown

2009-06-27T16:36:00.000+01:00

Officers spent yesterday at the Oulton Broad North level crossing, speaking to drivers who stop in the yellow markings and who drive over the crossing when the red lights are flashing.

So police spent a day speaking to law breakers. As they were driving cars, it would be a bit much to expect the local police to try to bring some of these criminals to justice.

Pointless Lanes

2009-06-27T16:26:00.001+01:00

The powers to be just love to promote cycling without ever getting out on two wheels themselves. One way that they like to show how much they are doing to improve cycling around Lowestoft is to keep putting down pointless cycle lanes. This one is on Corton Road. A straight, wide 30mph road. No real need for a cycle lane, and no point what so ever for one on a road where the residents can quite legally park in it.

Killer Cycle Lanes

2009-06-27T16:15:00.000+01:00

Be very careful when heading south on Middle Drive. The anti-cycling powers have decided to enact the "Final Solution" plan. Here drivers are forced to encroach the cycle lane. It is only a matter of time before an "accident" happens at this spot.