2020 END OF YEAR REPORT from DLWTRAIL

At the end of a challenging year for everybody, here's a link to our year end report for 2020:

https://1drv.ms/w/s!AnS13XUK4-hEhCjYBQH5KT1WOLHL?e=hwbzDA

In case you can't access the link, the content of the report is also included below as part of this blog post:

DLWTRAIL CAMPAIGN 2020: A YEAR END REVIEW

This review is in two parts: What’s happened so far? What happens next? There are links to support documents in the appendix.

1: What’s happened so far? In February, we secured a face-to-face meeting with Leics County Council to pitch our case for a safe route between Long Whatton & Diseworth for active travellers (eg pedestrians, cyclists, wheelchair users, horse riders – anybody not in a motor vehicle). LCC gave us a warm reception, and were supportive, but were clear that funding would be a challenge. Our request for reducing the existing 60mph national speed limit along The Green was a non-starter, because the police had received no reports of accidents. The statements from residents in our Dossier of Demand (link in appendix), indicating that many feel too nervous to walk or cycle along The Green because of fast traffic, was insufficient evidence on its own. We agreed to do more research on options and produce a feasibility study for our proposal. Then, Covid struck and everybody’s focus, and priorities, changed. However, during the summer lockdown, we saw a renewed focus on exactly what the DLWTRAIL proposal was all about. People were walking, cycling, and re-discovering their local environment, but car-free. Re-connecting with the real world, whilst also getting exercise and reducing carbon emissions. The Green was, for a short time, an oasis of calm for active travellers. As the idea of a future post-Covid ‘new normal’ began to emerge, and government launched its ‘Gear Change’ report (link in appendx), the DLWTRAIL proposal became more relevant: - Putting active travellers first. - Challenging the notion that “car is king”. - Re-connecting the villages of Long Whatton & Diseworth. Making us a whole Parish again. We published our DLWTRAIL Feasibility Study on 26th August (link in appendix). Throughout 2020, we have been building alliances. We’re pleased to report that we have achieved positive engagement with: - Local landowners, regarding a potential route for the trail. - Teams at LCC (particularly relating to Safe & Sustainable Travel, Traffic & Signals, Public Rights of Way, and HS2). - Sustrans (the charity responsible for the National Cycle Network). - MOST IMPORTANTLY – YOU!!! THE LOCAL COMMUNITY. Our Dossier of Demand now has statements of support from over 130 households in both villages, and it continues to grow. Without your statements of support, we would never have even got started on this journey. Thank you.

We ended 2020 with an online video meeting with LCC on 3rd December (link in appendix). Elements of that meeting will inform our direction in 2021. 2: What happens next? We intend to take a two-pronged approach through 2021: Prong 1: - A short-term, affordable ‘quick win’: Calming Traffic along The Green - Being unable to get the speed limit reduced along the one-mile stretch of The Green between the two villages (see notes of our 3rd Dec meeting with LCC – link in appendix), we will continue to lobby LWDPC and LCC to attempt to at least get some improved ‘caution / calming’ traffic signage along that stretch. The initial response from both councils to this proposal has been encouraging.

Prong 2: - A longer term, more costly solution: Creating an alternative traffic-free trail between Diseworth & Long Whatton - We are under no illusion that this will continue to be a challenging process. Our Feasibility Study (link in appendix) is our starting point. Progress will require close partnership with residents, local landowners, Sustrans, Long Whatton & Diseworth Parish Council, Leicestershire County Council, the HS2 initiative (HS2 is planned to cross The Green between the A42 and M1 bridges), as well as a diversion of the current Cross Britain Way footpath onto the new trail. It’s complicated.

Your DLWTRAIL Committee (comprising residents from both villages, and members of the Parish Council) will continue to work on the “Two Prongs” summarised above. In the meantime, I stress again that, without the support of the residents of Long Whatton & Diseworth, the DLWTRAIL proposal would come to nothing. We thank all the residents who have contributed a statement of support to our Dossier of Demand. It’s still open for more contributions. You can read it in the appendix below, and you can make your own contribution via our website or facebook group (links in the appendix). Thanks to everybody who has voiced their support for the objective of a safe, sustainable route for those who wish to travel between our two villages without feeling it necessary to jump into the car every time. This local picture of restoring the unity of our two villages as ‘one parish’ is also part of the global picture of reducing emissions and making local travel healthier and more enjoyable. Season’s Greetings, and a Happy New Year - Mike Doyle - Chair, DLWTRAIL Committee. - December 2020

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APPENDIX: Links to support / contextual documentation DLWTRAIL Feasibility study: https://1drv.ms/w/s!AnS13XUK4-hEhB6hXNRzXLEnXRyd?e=MLrzoV

DLWTRAIL Dossier of Demand: https://1drv.ms/w/s!AnS13XUK4-hEhBwG_lOvDT1cF_ag?e=Ldo9PM Notes of DLWTRAIL online meeting with LCC on 3 Dec 2020: https://1drv.ms/w/s!AnS13XUK4-hEhCW811Oe2PoQ8ry1?e=6sKsya

DLWTRAIL Campaign website: https://dlwtrail.wixsite.com/campaign DLWTRAIL facebook group: www.facebook.com/groups/DLWTRAIL

Sustrans: www.sustrans.org.uk/

Government ‘Gear Change – a bold vision for cycling and walking’ report: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/904146/gear-change-a-bold-vision-for-cycling-and-walking.pdf

Proposed changes to Highway Code with revised Hierarchy of Responsibility: www.gov.uk/government/consultations/review-of-the-highway-code-to-improve-road-safety-for-cyclists-pedestrians-and-horse-riders

End of document Published by DLWTRAIL Committee 14th December 2020