Help to stop the Norwich Northern Distributor Road (NDR)

Now is the time to register an objection to the proposed 20 kilometre Norwich Northern Distributor Road (NDR)  by the deadline of Sunday 23 March.

The NDR is part of a huge new national road building programme for meeting the Government’s predictions of a 40% increase in traffic by 2040. We are encouraging as many people as possible – including people living outside Norfolk - to register with the Planning Inspectorate and send a strong message to Government.

Help to stop the Norwich Northern Distributor Road (NDR)

http://www.notondr.org.uk/

How to register as an Objector with Planning Inspectorate

Massive development and a new 20km road are set to change the face of our fine city for ever, unless we act now.

325 acres of business parks and 10,000 houses just to start

Vast areas of countryside destroyed

Leading to a third ring of development around Norwich

Costing Norfolk residents millions (over £80 million on top of the Government’s £89 million)

Four forthcoming events connected to the NDR:

1.  Sunday 23 February - Mass Leafletting at Taverham/Drayton – Cock Inn car park, 1 Drayton High Road NR8 6AE

We will be leafletting these areas this coming Sunday. Please come along anytime between 10.30am and 3.30pm to the car park of the Cock Inn public house and collect leaflets and maps. The pub serves food all day. If you would like a lift from SW Norwich, Andrew Boswell will be leaving 23 Havelock Road at 10am. Ring him on 07787127881 to book a place.

2.  Monday 24th Feb, 3-7pm

The National Planning Inspectorate is holding a drop-in event at Dragon Hall, 115-123 King Street, NR1 1QE, with presentations at 3 and 6pm.  The Butterfly Cafe, opposite the hall has agreed to stay open until 6pm, and for us to be there with leaflets and comment forms.

3.  Monday March 3rd 8.30am to 10am

No to NDR, Campaign for Better Transport and Norwich Green Party are holding a protest at Norfolk County Council, County Hall.

4.  Thursday 13 March – Public Meeting at Thorpe End. Venue and time to be announced.  Details will be posted on www.notondr.org.uk 

For further information, please contact Denise Carlo Tel 01603 504563

This article is published by Simeon Jackson on behalf of the Norfolk and Norwich Transport Action Group.

Northern Distributor Road exhibition - 11 June

On Monday 11 June Norfolk County Council will hold an all day exhibition of its plans for a proposed Norwich Northern Distributor Road (NDR) before submitting a planning application in the autumn.

Norwich Transport Action Group is bringing together community groups to raise public awareness about spending £142 million on a NDR whilst cutting essential services such as public transport and youth work. "Our message is that we want to see a sustainable Norwich".

If you would like to support you can do so by:

• Joining the press photo opportunity - Gather outside the railings by St Peter Mancroft Church opposite The Forum from 11.30am onwards, for a picture at noon. Group representatives are encouraged to bring along a placard showing the name of their group and literature about their group.
• Visit the NDR exhibition any time between 9am and 5pm and fill in a comment form saying what you think about the scheme.
• Spread the word and encourage people to visit the exhibition and make their views known. If you can help leaflet on the 11^th June,
  

Exhibition on Monday 11^th June - 9am to 5pm at The Norwich Forum. For further information please contact Denise on denise.carlo@btinternet.com Tel. Norwich 504563. See also latest blog The End of the Road

Norfolk Car Club - Free to join!

Norfolk County Council is currently running a promotion to sign up more members to the Norfolk Car Club - a fantastic option for residents and businesses in Norwich looking to reduce their costs and be more environmentally/Transitionally-minded.

Norfolk Car Club is a 'pay-as-you-go' car club scheme operating throughout Norwich and some market towns in Norfolk. In Norwich, Car Club cars are parked in designated parking bays across the city. Members book online and use a 'smart card' to unlock the car and drive away. The user pays by the hour and cars are available 24/7. It’s a very flexible, alternative, driving option. You are fully insured and Norfolk Car Club takes care of all maintenance, servicing and cleaning.

The Car Club will work if one of the following is true:

* you need easy access to a car for work or leisure
* you don't want the expense and hassle of owning your own car
* you walk or cycle to work but need access to a car for meetings
* you are thinking of getting rid of your car because you hardly use it
* parking is a problem where you live
* the family car is being used in the day and you sometimes need another car
* you want to reduce your carbon footprint

Individuals can join as a 'personal member'; businesses can join the Car Club as a 'corporate member' - registering staff as drivers. The Car Club is currently free to join (saving up to £25) with the promotional code 'Norwich10'. Just use the code when you sign up online at www.commonwheels.org.uk or phone Commonwheels on 0845 602 8030. You can cancel your membership at any time. James Frost

Transport - Northern Distributor Road - 14 October

Norfolk County Council has submitted a funding bid to the Department for Transport for the Norwich Northern Distributor Road and Postwick Hub schemes for a decision by December 2011. There is a good chance of stopping the scheme in the current economic climate of tight public funding, but this is the last chance to do so.

PLEASE TAKE URGENT ACTION TODAY. Last week the EDP and Evening News ran a week of articles on the NDR. Please write letters to eveningnewsletters@archant.co.uk and edpletters@archant.co.uk - and blind copy (bcc) i_oppose_the_ndr@fastmail.co.uk so we can keep track. Keep them short and focus on your most compelling concerns about this wasteful road scheme.

If you need further details on the articles, or suggestions of issues to write about, then contact andrewboswell@fastmail.co.uk.

We also need people to write further letters to the DfT and ministers (with more technical content) between now and October 14th. If you would be willing to write a letter, please email andrewboswell@fastmail.co.uk, and Andrew will send you details, probably a proforma letter for you to customise, nearer the time.

NNTAG and other campaign groups have also produced a postcard to send to the transport minister who will make the decision Norman Baker. To stop this devastating road from being built, please also send in the postcard (for cards ring 01603 611909). Also, if you can help with delivery of cards to homes in parts of North Norwich close to the proposed path of the road, then please call Richard Bearman (01603-504495). Andrew Boswell

Transition Circle West Update - Bike Maintenance - 18 July

Since the last update, members of Transition Circle West have been meeting twice a month with our usual bring and share vegetarian meal to do a variety of activities, including: textiles skills-sharing; discussing issues from ethical holidays to socio-cultural evolution; sharing herbal remedies; and going on a foraging trip! Most recently we met to discuss the changing role of shops and shopping in the future, and some of us also joined in at the open day for Norwich FarmShare at Postwick. We are currently in the process of creating a resource-sharing library for the group. Our next group meeting will be on Bike Maintenance. Do come and tune up!

Transition Circle West is open to anybody living in the west of Norwich who is interested in getting involved with Transition Norwich and learning about low carbon lifestyles. If you would like more information or to join get in touch with Helen on mshelenpallett@gmail.com

Photo from This Low Carbon Life on community transport

New Carbon Conversations Groups

What is your carbon footprint?

That is the first question we try to answer in a Carbon Conversations group. Already Transition Norwich have run 11 successful groups in Norwich and Diss which have helped participants reduce their carbon footprints and make plans to reduce them significantly over the next five years. Even those already leading fairly low energy lifestyles have been astonished by some of the amazing revelations, enlightening discussions and inspiring exercises in the course.

For those wanting to start a Transition Circle or other kind of energy reduction group in their neighbourhood, workplace or organisation a series of six Carbon Conversations provides an excellent foundation. We now have several trained facilitators and apart from regular groups in central Norwich we can offer courses in your area. All you need to do is find 6-10 friends or colleagues who would like to participate, find a space and time to meet and we’ll find the facilitators. Christine Way

For further details contact: training@transitionnorwich.org or 01603 614460

Saddle up and change the world

Gear up for a two-wheeled revolution – join a 2011 Otesha UK cycle tour!

Do something worthwhile with your summer! Cycle around the country as part of a mobile low carbon community delivering workshops and an awesome play about environmental and social sustainability in schools and youth clubs along the way. There are two tours to choose from: Northern Soul (10th June – 23rd July) and Tartan Trail (5th August – 17th September).

Join us in taking in the delights of the UK from our saddles, performing a play, making the world a better place, learning new skills (bike maintenance, theatre, consensus decision-making, sustainable and group living… the list goes on), meeting new friends, and generally having a laugh and making mischief.

Having been on an Otesha tour last summer I cannot recommend it enough. I had an amazing time, learnt so much, made many new friends and felt part of the change I wanted to see in the world. I can already feel the longing to go on tour again this summer, but I should really get a job, damn...

If you’re 18 to 28 and passionate about creating a sustainable future, then come ride with us. Experience not necessary. Find out more at www.otesha.org.uk/cycletours and check out the video below. Places are first come, first served, so get your skates on!

If you have any questions or would just like to have a chat about it, then give Otesha a call on 0207 377 2109 or email cycletours@otesha.org.uk. Kerry Lane

RELATED EVENT: Not About the Bike - 12 January

Not About The Bike is a bicycle recycling project - a green scheme recycling old and unwanted bicycles and getting more people on two wheels. Achieved through a weekly workshop enabling project users to develop life-skills and offering volunteering opportunities and also regular
inclusive cycle rides.

Today NATB are having an open day (10am – 1:30pm) @ Unit 6, Beckham Place, Norwich NR3 3DZ. For further iinfo email: notabouthebike@yahoo.co.uk
Or call (01603 626014).

Come along to see what we do and how you can get involved. There will be a cycling safety training session @ 12:15 pm with a qualified cycle instructor (bikes available).

Photo by Matt Wicks (from Bicycle Bonus Time - Bike Week 2010)

Norfolk Electric Vehicle Conversion Club (NEVCC)

Calling all people interested in converting their car or a donor petrol car to battery power.

Swap your nasty oil burning engine for a nice clean electric motor and batteries. The average range will be between 30-50 miles in between charges depending on the original car and the batteries used.

What is NEVCC?
I have long wanted to convert a petrol car to battery power but have never got round to it due to various financial and practical reasons, plus a smattering of procrastination. I have also spoken to people with the same aspirations and they too had various reasons why it was not possible for them. So, I thought, why not get an interested group together to pool our knowledge and resources to achieve this goal.

What do we need?
A group of people each with one or more of the following things: (In no particular order.)

- enthusiasm/energy/time/willingness to learn
- mechanical skills
- electronics skills
- a car to convert
- Electric Vehicle (EV) Knowledge
- A workshop/garage/barn
- Funds.

I have mechanical and EV knowledge and tools. If you are interested email me at the following address and we can go from there.
James.dexter2@ntlworld.com

RELATED EVENTS : Bicycle Shenanigans - 11 December

Otesha East are planning a whole day of fun to raise money for the l Otesha Project UK a youth-led organisation that's mobilising young people to create social and environmental change through our everyday actions. And it is all taking place downstairs atg the Bicycle Shop on St Benedicts Street on Saturday 11th December.

From 12-4 there will be amazing activities such as learning to fix punctures and make tetrapak wallets and bicycle tyre belts, fun games, a lucky dip, cakes and preserves and clothes and book swapping.

From 7 till late there will be a party featuring music from the amazing Cakes and Ale, Teleri and more. As well as a wandering magician... Entrance in the evening is a suggested donation of £5.

So come and have a fantastic day with the added feel good glow of raising money for the wonderful Otesha project.

For more info please contact Kerry - kezereky_the_first@hotmail.com

Circle Earlham North

We had a lively first meeting on the subject of the 7 deadly resistances as covered by the blog earlier this year (link). After some scrumptious food we read all of the blog posts and then had a very interesting discussion on them. A few of the points that we discussed are the importance of learning to ask for help and the need to be aware of how societal conditioning guides many of our thoughts and actions. We also added limited time to the list.

The next meeting is going to be at Jo's house on the subject of low carbon holidays (not confirmed). (Kerry Lane/Core Group)

RELATED EVENTS: National Bike Week - Bicycle Bonus & the Otesha Project – 19-27 June

We are just in the process of signing up businesses to our Bicycle Bonus scheme. So far we have 12 shops/businesses signed up - most from the Norwich Lanes area, including Thorns, Revolutionz and Beaujangles.

Please help!! if you know anyone who works for a local business, especially in Norwich Lanes, please ask them to join the scheme- it is free! All they have to do is decide on a discount or special offer to give to cyclists! They can sign up to the scheme here... http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/bicyclebonusbusiness

Please join the scheme yourself. It's free, you get a hi-viz slap band and a personalised travel report!! Oh and did I forget to mention that you get a discount when you cycle in to the city and go to participating shops and businesses! http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/bicycle-bonus

On the 23rd June there is a FREE bike to work breakfast @ the Forum! Dr Bike, police security marking and of course free breakfast. yum. 7.30am onwards. (Matt Wicks/Transport)

For more info on this and our upcoming bikeweek activities please see
http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/where-i-live and http://www.bikeweek.org.uk/

Meanwhile active transitioner Kerry Lane (Reskilling/TN2) is cycling the epic Lands End to John O'Groats for the cause of sustainability this summer with the charity The Otesha Project. She is cycling as part of a group of 17 other volunteers who, as well as carrying their lives on their bikes, will be stopping at schools and youth groups along the way teaching and inspiring them about all aspects of sustainability through theatre and workshops.

She will be writing some updates for the Transition blog on her way, so you can hear all about her adventures. She does however need to raise £1000 to fund the trip so if you would like to donate to a good cause then she has a just giving page and would be incredibly grateful!

To celebrate National Bike Week the TN blog This low Carbon Life is running a whole week to cycling written by Transition cyclists. click here to find all the latest http://www.transitionnorwich.blogspot.com/

Little Melton Cycle Path – Friday 4 December

We are campaigning for a safe, off road cycle path that will enable children to get to the schools in Little Melton and Hethersett and will enable everyone to quickly reach places of work at the Hospital, UEA and Research Park. There are proposals to enlarge the Research Park and for 1000 more houses at Hethersett – without action the roads will become more dangerous, more congested and more polluted.

Please come to one of the locations below – it just needs to be for a few minutes in order to show your support and maybe get your picture on TV!

08:00 to 08:45 at Hethersett Village Hall – South Norfolk MP Richard Bacon will meet children as they ride to school. A crew from BBC TV is expected – as well as the local press. If you come on your bike please wear bright clothing and have lights as it will only just be light!
09:00 to 09:15 at the pedestrian crossing over the A47 at end of School Lane, Little Melton – MP Richard Bacon will see how dangerous the existing crossing is.

The full details are at http://www.little-melton.org.uk/news/CyclePath.html. If you can help with the campaign then please contact John on 01603 812472 or john@heaser.com or visit http://cyclelinks.org.uk/.

Transport: Norfolk and Norwich Transport Plans – 28 November

Transition Norwich Transport Group has prepared guidance notes for those of you who would like to comment on the proposed transport strategy for Norwich and North Norfolk (deadline 28 November). Do please spare the time to comment if you can; the guidance notes (Word doc attached with this bulletin) give a brief overview of the plans, some of which are excellent and others which are clearly unsustainable. The consultation document can be downloaded here: http://www.norfolk.gov.uk/consumption/groups/public/documents/article/ncc071290.pdf

Transition Norwich is not a pressure group; it's up to you to make an informed response - we hope the attached notes (TNTransportNotes.doc) will help to give you the information you need. For more info contact Jane Chittenden at editor@transitionnorwich.org

* STOP PRESS * The majority of the County Council is pressing the Department of Transport for a 'Yes' decision on the Northern Distributor Route (NDR) and 80,000 new houses. http://www.eveningnews24.co.uk/content/news/story.aspx?brand=ENOnline&category=News&tBrand=ENOnline&tCategory=news&itemid=NOED30

Transport Group

Transitioners are committed to reducing their personal footprints by walking and cycling more; using public transport wherever possible; car-sharing when the car's the only way to go; avoiding air travel, whether it's for personal journeys or the goods we buy. As a group, we're campaigning for the infrastructure to help us to make the transition.

The TN Transport group aims to help to achieve a resilient transport infrastructure for Norfolk, working in partnership with other transport groups and local government - at city level, at county level and taking account of important links outside the county. In particular, we want to help reduce dependency on road use, both for private cars and for road freight.

We are campaigning for improved public transport within the city and across the county:

-better rail services on the existing lines, bringing disused railway lines back into service to improve connections between the market towns and the city;
- investigating the feasibility of train/tram services;
- better bus services, with rapid transit services linking the railway station, city centre and major destinations eg N&N hospital, the university, science and business parks; services that are clearly integrated, with reliable and easily understood bus times; affordable fares and tickets that can be used interchangeably on buses, trains and trams.

We encourage more cycling, with support for the City and County Council’s plans for more cycle routes. Several of our members are actively involved in events to promote cycling

We support the City Council’s proposals for working towards a car-free city centre.

We are also actively researching more resilient approaches to transporting freight – by rail and by water – and working with others in Transition Norwich towards reducing the need for travel via local sources of supply rather than national distribution of goods.

The Transport Group meets monthly, to keep up to date with the latest news and developments and to share ideas for further activities. We usually meet at Take Five in the city centre, by kind permission of their staff. Our members include cyclists, rail users and tram passengers, inner city residents who want to be able to walk around the city without being mown down by cars, city councillors, county councillors…. and people just looking for ways to cut down their road use!

Contacts: Jane Chittenden jane@janechittenden.co.uk

Click here to view / join the Transport email discussion group (Google Group)

Transport Group

Transitioners are committed to reducing their personal footprints by walking and cycling more; using public transport wherever possible; car-sharing when the car's the only way to go; avoiding air travel, whether it's for personal journeys or the goods we buy. As a group, we're campaigning for the infrastructure to help us to make the transition.

The TN Transport group aims to help to achieve a resilient transport infrastructure for Norfolk, working in partnership with other transport groups and local government - at city level, at county level and taking account of important links outside the county. In particular, we want to help reduce dependency on road use, both for private cars and for road freight.

The Transport Group will continue to campaign for a better transport infrastructure for Norfolk and Norwich in the light of the coalition government's report on its spending review in the autumn of 2010 and local councils' responses to that report.

We are campaigning for improved public transport within the city and across the country:
- better rabetter rail services on the existing lines, bringing disused railway lines back into service to improve connections between the market towns and the city;
- investigating the feasibility of train/tram services;
- better bus services, with rapid transit services linking the railway station, city centre and major destinations eg N&N hospital, the university, science and business parks; services that are clearly integrated, with reliable and easily understood bus times; affordable fares and tickets that can be used interchangeably on buses, trains and trams.

We encourage more cycling, with support for the City and County Council’s plans for more cycle routes. Several of our members are actively involved in events to promote cycling.

We support the City Council’s proposals for working towards a car-free city centre.

We are also actively researching more resilient approaches to transporting freight – by rail and by water – and working with others in Transition Norwich towards reducing the need for travel via local sources of supply rather than national distribution of goods.

The Transport Group meets from time to time, to keep up to date with the latest news and developments and to share ideas for further activities. We usually meet at Take Five in the city centre, by kind permission of their staff. Our members include cyclists, rail users and tram passengers, inner city residents who want to be able to walk around the city without being mown down by cars, city councillors, county councillors…. and people just looking for ways to cut down their road use!


Contacts: Jane Chittenden jane@janechittenden.co.uk

Click here to view / join the Transport email discussion group (Google Group)

Pix: Carfree city centre; Gridlock at Christmas