Support Mini Holland

Excellent, it work, my swimming credential is restored.

Thanks all. It's now only 70 behind the anti petition and we started 300 behind 24 hours ago...

Boom. I've been looking at the numbers and getting a warm glowing feeling inside but couldn't see on the petition when you'd actually started it so couldn't tell how likely it was to overtake. Good to see it's accelerating nicely :-)

I can't remember how to quote but..
oh god and I can't work out how to plus on my phone either.

Plus one to everything bothwell's said on here, anyway.

Plus one to everything bothwell's said on here

Yeah, Ed, you car-fancying scum!

30 million quid.....nothing better to spend that money on?

Also if you don't live in the area, your view is moot. You don't vote there so why will the counsellors care?

You and your fancy quoting.

Edit: yes, that should've been a reply

I think people living outside the area could gain a lot from a successful mini holland in time. Other councils would have an example of just how far £30 million can go when invested in decent cycle infrastructure. Rather than, say, resurfacing some roads.

And I live there also; well in Whipps Cross.

People are getting a bit whipped up to be cross there, no? :)

This is an interesting test of how modal filtering plays out in a borough like Waltham Forest which, by conventional political opinion, isn't ready for it. I personally suspect that the majority of the residential population will already be in favour, but there will be a bit of a fight. The outcome will be very interesting.

NB by all means have fun with the petition(s)*, but be aware that petitions are a total waste of time and don't influence political opinion in the slightest. You need to use established Council processes for this. A lot of the opponents of the scheme will go to councillors' surgeries, for instance, or may bring a deputation to full Council. Make sure that if you're in favour you use these processes, too. Good luck, I hope it succeeds.

* 's' added especially for edscoble :)

Councilyst

be aware that petitions are a total waste of time and don't influence political opinion in the slightest

I'm not really sure that this petition is aimed at influencing political opinion, specifically, tbf. The way I've read all of mongrel's posts so far is that the main aim is to show normal people that it's not just the moaning minnies who have an opinion and that there is genuine support for the idea across the board.

It's important for every one of the Mini-Holland bid areas to support each other throughout this process IMO. They all have similar tussles going on and the more visible data they all collect and share amongst each other the better - local businesses and neighbourhood groups have so far not been swayed by what research is available that says "things don't completely fall to pieces after pedestrianisation/filtering/shared spacing/home zone addition", I think partly because they don't believe it but also partly because there's not an overwhelming amount of data available. We're talking about people's livelihoods, after all, so they're going to err on the side of caution. So yes, very interesting things ahead.

A signature on the "pro" petition:

"Really I do not support this at all. The whole thing is lunacy and a waste of tax payers cash. I had to wait for 2 hours because of this scheme. It should be banned and the money given to the wqueen to heat the palace during winder."

Scoble, is that you?

Oliver is right, in terms of numbers of utility cyclists Waltham Forest is not there yet. It's certainly not at the same level of Hackney, though I think utility cycling in WF will not be the same as in Hackney. Mind you we will never be " there" if we use phrases like modal filter in public...

This is a good thing and it's being piloted in an interesting way, the pilot being part of the consultation.

On the whole Mini Holland seems to be working .

Interesting comments:

http://walthamstowdiary.com/2014/09/28/mini-holland/

You caught me, I like to call her Majesty as the Wqueen.

Yep Bothwell I agree with all of that on showing support to a wider audience than just councillors (though 500 signatures on a petition can't hurt)

And I'm crossing my fingers that businesses in the area see a lift like those studies say they should. Will be heading up Orwell this weekend with the family on our bikes and make a point of spending some money.

This was just on radio 4,they interviewed a few people. The opinions seemed well balanced.

Majority were in the camp of "It's a great idea, make it safe for cyclists, pedestrians and children... But it seems to be causing congestion and creating little rat runs on surrounding streets "

if anything i felt it was a bit unbalanced there was only one vox pop of someone who was against - rest of it was all in support. Not that I'm complaining.

Anyhow thanks everyone for signing the FOR petition has just overtaken the AGAINST - think I may as well leave the petition running as this is only the start of mini holland - be nice to keep it ticking along throughout

If you've signed it already - thanks!

If not:

https://www.change.org/p/waltham-forest-council-we-support-mini-holland-in-walthamstow-2

During the last elections, one of the lib dem candidates' major policies in Harringay was to offer 30 minutes free parking in order to keep the local high street alive.

I questioned this and asked for what evidence they had that the main custom was from motorists (particularly given that the area is served by 4 bus routes, two overground stations and and two train stations) but the only evidence they came back to me with was anecdotal from the local press.

There's a living streets study knocking around that suggests that cutting down on motorists won't necessarily badly affect shops, etc but there seems to be little research in this area even though lots of movement is happening around it.

Suspect you mean the Pedestrian Pound.

So this is now happening in Enfield. If you're from the area and support Mini Holland you need to organise your support. Don't let yourself be shouted down.
http://m.imgur.com/ae5WWd9

I like how "save our parking" appears to have taken priority over "support our high street" :-/

The four car parks within 3 minutes walk of the station are too damn small!

http://en.parkopedia.co.uk/free/palmers_green/parking/