snorri said:
How do you define a "Sustrans route"?
Is it a route designed, built and maintained by Sustrans?
Or designed and built by a local authority with grant aid from Sustrans but maintained by the local authority?
I only ask because I believe Sustrans gets a lot of the flak which should be directed at the local authorities who, I believe, are the real culprits in second rate cycle facilities.
That's far enough to a point, but its sustrans that holds some heavy purse strings (£50 million anyone?). If they're just a clearing house for cycling cash, then the question about the real benefit of sustrans remains.
If they have responsibility for managing how that cash is spent, then they should at least evaluate the benefits of a particular scheme and consider 'through-life' costs as well as the initial capital costs.
If the initial development and maintenance is contracted out to local authorities, then sustrans, as the cycling experts, should ensure that the facilities implemented by the local authorities are fit for purpose and good value. They should also have the systems in place to ensure that these facilities are well managed and maintained.
"How do you define a sustrans route". The question is a good one and its worrying that there isn't an obvious answer, because for the money sustrans has received, there should be one. As I posted some anti-sustrans links, I'll post a link to sustran's '
What We Do' page. I've read it and I'm non-the-wiser. There's an element of lobbying, lots of aspirational thinking and a few hard numbers. Its those hard-numbers that cause me and many others some concern. Take this one..
The Network carries over 230 million journeys each year, taking kids to school, workers to work dogs on walks, shoppers to shops - it even helps the Royal Mail deliver your post.
I contribute about 300-400 of those journeys. Except that I'd still use the same roads that comprise "The Network" even if sustrans had never existed. Tell you what - I declare all non-classified roads in Hampshire as "The Bollo Network". Kaipath, Jay Clock, MacB, montage, Cunobein, Peter, and many others, you've all had the privilege of using the Bollo Network. If you'd care to make a donation, I can get on with this lottery application form.
I know this argument is facetious, but its not a million miles away from the truth. Perhaps some of the problem is that there is no overall control, and therefore no single point of responsibility for cyling facilities in this country. Sustrans seems to concentrate on high-profile capital development projects. The local authorities are left with responsibility for lower-profile cycle facilities developed and maintained to tick the boxes against whatever weasel words the latest transport plan contains.
Sorry snorri, but if sustrans takes the cash, then it should be in the firing line when people question how well that money is being spent.