THE "NEW NORMAL"?

It's quite natural that the focus on prioritising active travel as part of the "New Normal" in a world living with COVID-19 will be in towns and cities. That's where the biggest difference can be made. But I think we can agree that, over recent weeks, Long Whatton and Diseworth have been experiencing some positives in a world of unprecedented challenges. - Cleaner, sweeter air. - Huge reduction in motor traffic. - The ability to walk, cycle and horse ride between our two villages with a lowered threat from motor vehicles. Why can't this become part of the "New Normal" for Long Whatton & Diseworth? Your DLWTRAIL Committee have made a fresh approach to Leicestershire County Council in a renewed effort to try to put people first in our Parish, and end the "car is king" culture that has made the road between Long Whatton & Diseworth so dangerous for active travellers over recent decades. We haven't given up. Stay tuned for future updates. . www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/business-52670597/coronavirus-lockdown-is-opportunity-of-a-lifetime-for-bike-lanes?fbclid=IwAR3oRZzX7BmqphFDaZQdBLYqGQXg3Ivlh9jLb_j--HwMD_1oSx_5lA0ng58

Gil Penalosa of urban reform group 8 80 Cities says lockdown is the right time to make cities more bike-friendly.

Minutes of Meeting between DLWTRAIL Committee and LCC at County Hall Tue 11 Feb 2020

Meeting minutes as recorded by LCC .

Link to file hosted on OneDrive:

https://1drv.ms/w/s!AnS13XUK4-hEgnyXRLhJNm1SXhcZ?e=xJcNZ8

DLWTRAIL Committee will meet shortly to discuss and decide next steps.

Summary of meeting with Leics County Council at County Hall 11 Feb 2020

The purpose of this meeting was to explain our proposal to LCC, and seek support.

More detailed minutes to follow.

Three members of the DLWTRAIL Committee attended this meeting, together with four representatives of LCC. To summarise: It seems unlikely that, at this point in time, there will be funding forthcoming from LCC to achieve our objective of a safe, sustainable active travel trail between Diseworth and Long Whatton. However, the meeting did throw up alternative avenues to follow, including approaching Sustrans and learning from / partnering with other initiatives across the border in Nottinghamshire. We will explore those avenues. The next major step will be to commission a feasibility study, for which we will need to cost and seek funding. We were never under the illusion that this would be a quick or easy job! We expect to be able to share a more detailed report of the meeting next week. . On a positive note, the ground work we have done so far (including YOUR contributions to our Dossier Of Demand) has enabled us to be taken seriously by LCC, and we appreciate the time and expertise they have afforded us so far. Your support has helped us to put ourselves on LCC's radar, which is no bad thing. Thank you for your support – and stay tuned for updates. - The DLWTRAIL Committee.