http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Topic: #POP28 correspondence! en Wed, 15 Apr 2026 09:03:52 +0000 http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=6340&page=2#post-70034 Thu, 10 May 2012 23:52:29 +0000 spytfyre 70034@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>W2T sounds like a movie title<br /> Just sayin' </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=6340&page=2#post-70032 Thu, 10 May 2012 23:29:10 +0000 chdot 70032@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>If anyone isn't sure what ward they are in -</p> <p><a href="http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/councillors/search" rel="nofollow">http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/councillors/search</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=6340#post-70031 Thu, 10 May 2012 23:28:04 +0000 chdot 70031@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>No need to wait for W2T</p> <p><a href="http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/councillors/ward" rel="nofollow">http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/councillors/ward</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=6340#post-70030 Thu, 10 May 2012 23:24:51 +0000 Dave 70030@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I've been a bit out of the loop, but I picked up on the <a href="http://scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx?SearchType=Advance&amp;ReferenceNumbers=S4M-02764&amp;ResultsPerPage=10">POP congratulations motion</a> at Parliament and have updated my correspondence with a few <a href="http://mccraw.co.uk/pedal-on-parliament-correspondence/#jimeadie">new items...</a></p> <p>I sent the G-Mac a letter of condolence/thanks although it bounced from an OoO responder (anyone got a working address?) and just need to work up to bombarding my new southside councillors (whenever WriteToThem sorts itself out post-election).</p> <p>I can't believe I haven't been into this sort of thing before, it's so straightforward. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=6340#post-68818 Fri, 04 May 2012 10:49:59 +0000 Claggy Cog 68818@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@Roibeard - if it is the same councillor that responded, no need for the Pino, he does actually cycle or so he says, he and his wife, but only in summer or clement weather (given that we live in Scotland that won't be that often then!!) or rather light permitting because they don't feel safe cycling in the dark. Allegedly he would have been at POP but due to a meeting with a constituent, could not, one wonders how far in advance they make appointments with constituents, and surely he could have rejigged his diary a wee bit, but hey ho. I did see Ian Murray there, the Labour MP for this area, he is very approachable and a nice guy who does ride his bike regularly and plays footie too.</p> <p>You may have to give a "backie" to some of the others though. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=6340#post-68814 Fri, 04 May 2012 10:38:12 +0000 Roibeard 68814@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@Claggy (yep, still can't get used to the new name!)</p> <p>I contacted all the candidates, and only got the one response too (probably the same email!).</p> <p>In person, verbally, he didn't want to commit to a figure, in case that figure wasn't enough, and similarly didn't wish to commit on the "what" of the spending in case that wasn't the best idea either. Of course this more positive position isn't on record, and the lack of commitment in writing can be wriggled either way as necessary post election...</p> <p>Call me cynical? Moi?</p> <p>I think I'll pick up the ideas here, and write to the new (returning) councillors, congratulating them, inviting them on a cycle [1], and asking about progress on the Active Travel Action Plan...</p> <p>Robert</p> <p>[1] No skill required, I can stick them on the Pino! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=6340#post-68808 Fri, 04 May 2012 10:05:14 +0000 Claggy Cog 68808@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I sent four emails to candidates standing in my area, and have received only one response. I was not overwhelmed with that response either somewhat fudging the issue of safeguarding the promised 5% of the transport budget, and what did they envisage it would be spent on - the response was that no monies could be spent until other financial constraints had been looked into, so sent a further email - no reply has been forthcoming. I was sorely tempted to write as suggested by chdot on the ballot paper, not to vote as it only encourages them!! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=6340#post-68805 Fri, 04 May 2012 09:53:35 +0000 David Martin 68805@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Been following up in the local rag.<br /> <a href="http://www.thecourier.co.uk/Opinion/Readers-letters/article/22546/may-4-time-the-politicians-acted-to-make-the-country-a-cycle-friendly-nation.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.thecourier.co.uk/Opinion/Readers-letters/article/22546/may-4-time-the-politicians-acted-to-make-the-country-a-cycle-friendly-nation.html</a></p> <p>I think many of the editorial staff are cyclists. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=6340#post-68470 Wed, 02 May 2012 19:09:09 +0000 Uberuce 68470@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I was pleasantly surprised by the speed of their non-automated replies. Or perhaps they arguably were automated in the sense that they've been doing a lot of this over the last few days so they're very quick at it. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=6340#post-68465 Wed, 02 May 2012 17:17:31 +0000 amir 68465@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I now have 3 responses to my brief email - from:<br /> * Paul Bertram - Scottish National Party (SNP)<br /> * Peter de Vink - Independent<br /> * Richard Thomson - Scottish Conservative and Unionist</p> <p>(Ward is Midlothian East)</p> <p>Lisa Beattie, Scottish National Party (SNP), seems a nice person. I might see if I can have a word with her after the election - her husband is the SNP MSP Colin Beattie. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=6340#post-68246 Tue, 01 May 2012 19:35:11 +0000 Uberuce 68246@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Added my wee bit to political inboxes... </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=6340#post-68221 Tue, 01 May 2012 17:20:44 +0000 crowriver 68221@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><em>I guess we're hitting them at an extremely busy point!</em></p> <p>The election is the day after tomorrow, so yeah. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=6340#post-68212 Tue, 01 May 2012 16:49:26 +0000 Dave 68212@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Nice one, MeepMeep. I bet they don't get many like that!</p> <p>I've now sent dispatches to the police, Ms Hinds (Labour transport) and all but one of my mainstream local candidates*. </p> <p>So far only the one response. I guess we're hitting them at an extremely busy point!</p> <p>I want to target the other party transport people too (one of whom is Gordon Mackenzie, killing two birds with one stone), and the respective party leaders - just to make sure that the noise is getting to the top people too.</p> <p>Can't make too much of a racket IMO. Having a line of dialogue open now will also make it easy to pursue them after the dust settles (the ones who remain).</p> <p>* other candidates are available </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=6340#post-68142 Tue, 01 May 2012 12:11:22 +0000 MeepMeep 68142@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I took a more direct approach with my correspondence to the councillors. I emailed with a link to TheEdinburghReporter.co.uk article and explained I was campaigning for safer cycling on Saturday only to be hit by a driver not paying enough attention on my Monday morning commute: I advised I wanted to know what their thoughts were on this ironic incident in their constituency and what they were offering for cyclists. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=6340#post-68095 Tue, 01 May 2012 10:55:05 +0000 SRD 68095@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I sent a bunch of links to the goods blogs, videos etc from POP. thanked them for coming and asked them to share the videos etc in their parties. mentioned how much fun it was, but with a serious goal, that they need to take seriously. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=6340#post-68093 Tue, 01 May 2012 10:51:32 +0000 Kim 68093@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Please do all write to your elected rep both local and national (<a href="http://www.writetothem.com)" rel="nofollow">http://www.writetothem.com)</a>, we have to keep the pressure on! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=6340#post-68090 Tue, 01 May 2012 10:47:18 +0000 Dave 68090@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>The world's shortest reply from Cllr Perry, but then he does contest for the world's lowest profile Cllr. I didn't recognise him from the one election leaflet we've received.</p> <p>Anybody doing southside/newington hustings tonight? I was planning to go, but then double booked the weekly hill climb. Although I'm possibly hurting a bit much to make a decent showing there. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=6340#post-68066 Tue, 01 May 2012 08:49:40 +0000 amir 68066@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Having sent a missive only yesterday pm to my local candidates, I have already received two replies, one from the conservative and one from an independent. These were both positive towards cycling.</p> <p>I am happy to forward these replies by pm to anyone interested. I am in the Midlothian East ward. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=6340#post-68015 Mon, 30 Apr 2012 21:14:11 +0000 gembo 68015@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@insto is your son staying on at school then? :-) </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=6340#post-68008 Mon, 30 Apr 2012 21:04:24 +0000 crowriver 68008@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@Instography, when you print up your flyer for your new campaign group you should quote that line from the council official. What a disgrace! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=6340#post-68007 Mon, 30 Apr 2012 21:03:19 +0000 chdot 68007@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>"the gem that my son cannot realistically expect to safely cycle to school any time in the next 20 years"</p> <p>I think we need to be able to read more of that!</p> <p>Copy to Alex... </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=6340#post-68005 Mon, 30 Apr 2012 20:56:07 +0000 Instography 68005@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Councillors done - building on some very long and unsatisfactory correspondence with council officials, which at least got me the gem that my son cannot realistically expect to safely cycle to school any time in the next 20 years. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=6340#post-67996 Mon, 30 Apr 2012 20:12:59 +0000 gembo 67996@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I thanked big Quentin of L&amp;B polis. He appreciated this. I think it is important to support cycle friendly coppers within the force as it is a very broad church. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=6340#post-67995 Mon, 30 Apr 2012 19:57:23 +0000 David Martin 67995@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Dropped a note to L&amp;B Police. They were excellent and I, like many I heard, made a point of thanking them (and their less mobile colleagues) on the way through.</p> <p><a href="http://www.writetothem.com" rel="nofollow">http://www.writetothem.com</a> is a good place to start to find your local councillors and MSP. I have written to mine, highlighting the huge turnout and going through the 8-point plan with specific local examples.</p> <p>One councillor has already got back to me - a great person to have on the council even if I don't necessarily agree with his politics. This is about finding politicians of whichever flavour who will work for the people ahead of the party. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=6340#post-67917 Mon, 30 Apr 2012 15:11:38 +0000 kaputnik 67917@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I don't think the Police could have done this from vehicles alone - they wouldn't have been able to get through the crowd for a start, and it would have been hard for them to keep up just on foot. They would have needed many more officers available to police it those ways.</p> <p>The bikes have an advantage that they can be propped in the middle of the road as a mini-roadblock while the officer is elsewhere on the junction directing traffic / riders. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=6340#post-67914 Mon, 30 Apr 2012 15:07:30 +0000 lionfish 67914@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@Dave: Done! This time to my councillors. Thanks for reminding me! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=6340#post-67912 Mon, 30 Apr 2012 15:02:49 +0000 spytfyre 67912@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Have also thanked the police direct.<br /> One of them ended up in front of us at the lights on our homeward journey - he asked if we thought they were good to have as they were getting some resistance from higher powers so go say they are appreciated and go now! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=6340#post-67911 Mon, 30 Apr 2012 15:01:43 +0000 SRD 67911@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>dave - i've taken up your challenge and sent all my msps and councillors a short text and a bunch of links etc </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=6340#post-67910 Mon, 30 Apr 2012 14:55:40 +0000 Baldcyclist 67910@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>"<br /> <em>Oh and they thought they had signed up for about 300 cyclists and found themselves with almost 10 times that!</em><br /> "</p> <p>He he, I wouldn't have minded a wee glimpse into the mind of the senior Police officer on the ground when 'they just kept coming. Weird thing is how quickly, and soon before kickoff folk seemed to arrive at MMW.<br /> I arrived about 2.35pm and joined the then end of the Que not very far down the path. I know my shock when I turned around 20 minutes later to discover folks all the way down to the end of the path, and round the corner!</p> <p>L&amp;B really did a fine job of adapting to the circumstances on the ground, and getting resources in place so quickly to deal with the crowds. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=6340#post-67908 Mon, 30 Apr 2012 14:51:59 +0000 chdot 67908@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><a href="http://www.lbp.police.uk/contact_us.aspx" rel="nofollow">http://www.lbp.police.uk/contact_us.aspx</a></p> <p><a href="https://twitter.com/LBP_Police" rel="nofollow">https://twitter.com/LBP_Police</a></p> <p>"</p> <p>L&amp;B Police @LBP_Police</p> <p>Thank you for the messages re #POP28 much appreciated, I will pass on your thanks to the officers at the event on Monday.</p> <p>"</p> <p><a href="https://twitter.com/#" rel="nofollow">https://twitter.com/#</a>!/LBP_Police/status/196292927268454400 </p>