£50,000 bike counting units to be scrapped from Brighton street (From The Argus)
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£50,000 bike counting units to be scrapped from Brighton street
12:40pm Monday 26th November 2012 in News By Tim Ridgway, Local government reporter
The bike counter on London Road after it was installed in 2010
The country’s first ever cycle counters are to be scrapped – just two and a half years after the £50,000 units were installed.
Thanks to a European Union grant, Brighton and Hove was the first city in the UK to introduce the equipment in May 2010.
Transport bosses claimed it would help them better understand levels of cycling and develop new policies for the city.
However, both counters have repeatedly been out of action after “mindless” vandals damaged them.
The Argus can now reveal the local authority has admitted it cannot afford to keep the counters running when EU funding expires. They will be removed in the coming months.
'Meaningful changes'
Councillor Ian Davey, chairman of the council’s transport committee, said the counters had been installed under the previous Conservative-run council.
He said: “This Green administration prefers to concentrate on meaningful infrastructure changes that make it safer and easier for people who want to cycle to get about the city – such as the new cycle lane on the Old Shoreham Road and our proposals for the Lewes Road.
“Due to the ongoing costs for the cycle counter project we don’t intend on continuing with it once the European funding has come to an end.”
The giant display units were installed near Surrenden Park in London Road and near Moulsecoomb Library in Lewes Road, Brighton.
The funding came from CiViTas - a European organisation that supports innovative and experimental transport measures.
An LED display updates every time a cyclist passes, saying “You are cyclist number xxx today, out of a total of xxx cyclists this year, on this path”.
Waste of money
Conservative councillor Graham Cox said the decision seemed sensible.
He said: “It does seem like a huge amount of money for collecting information the council could have just as easily got by carrying out a traffic count.
“It does say quite a lot about the European Union – we send a lot of money to Brussels and in return we get cycle counters.”
The Argus has repeatedly asked for figures on how many days the counters have been working.
However the local authority has not produced the information.
A council spokeswoman said: “There has been an ongoing issue with vandalism of the counters and the council has spent £1,600 on maintenance and repairs.
“The results of the trial will be fed back to the European Commission as part of the evaluation of the wider project but the council will not be investing any further money into this initiative.”
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Comments(43)
Hove Actually
says...
1:12pm Mon 26 Nov 12
NO it doesn't, we do and how many of theses stupid schemes are we funding across the whole of the EU, and that's not counting the cost of the people who dream them up and distribute our taxes.
Indigatio
says...
1:15pm Mon 26 Nov 12
Maxwell's Ghost
says...
1:26pm Mon 26 Nov 12
What a disgraceful waste of money.
Now we have the Greens making a new cycle lane on the Lewes Road wasting more money and at the same time installing road sensors in Coombe Road because traffic has increased.
You can't believe this madness.
Old Ale Man
says...
1:37pm Mon 26 Nov 12
The cranky's would be best in charge.
Old Ale Man
says...
1:37pm Mon 26 Nov 12
The cranky's would be best in charge.
Maxwell's Ghost
says...
2:08pm Mon 26 Nov 12
However, I find it strange that the counter on the Lewes Road has no visible signs of vandalism and has not worked since the day the Green council said it was going to spend millions on a new cycle lane to cater for the vast numbers of cylists.
When I cycled past it taxis were setting it off and even then only about 28 people were cycling a day in winter.
Lady Smith
says...
2:26pm Mon 26 Nov 12
Chaffinch1
says...
2:31pm Mon 26 Nov 12
At least that way something positive would have come from it.
Brightonscouse2
says...
2:55pm Mon 26 Nov 12
Lady Smith wrote:A refund on what? They were installed with money from a grant.
What an utter waste of money. Do we (and I mean 'we') get a refund?
Andy R
says...
2:57pm Mon 26 Nov 12
Maxwell's Ghost wrote:Doesn't need to now, does he? You've done it. Yes the Tories installed them so what's your point?
The Greens PR Manager HJarrs will be posting shortly to tell you that it was the Tories who installed this waste of money. However, I find it strange that the counter on the Lewes Road has no visible signs of vandalism and has not worked since the day the Green council said it was going to spend millions on a new cycle lane to cater for the vast numbers of cylists. When I cycled past it taxis were setting it off and even then only about 28 people were cycling a day in winter.
Do you even have one?
NickBtn
says...
3:03pm Mon 26 Nov 12
inadaptado
says...
3:10pm Mon 26 Nov 12
Maxwell's Ghost wrote:Your wording is so confusing I had to read your comment three times to get the point. You really need to work on your sentence connectors, mate.
The Greens PR Manager HJarrs will be posting shortly to tell you that it was the Tories who installed this waste of money.
However, I find it strange that the counter on the Lewes Road has no visible signs of vandalism and has not worked since the day the Green council said it was going to spend millions on a new cycle lane to cater for the vast numbers of cylists.
When I cycled past it taxis were setting it off and even then only about 28 people were cycling a day in winter.
Fairfax Sakes
says...
3:16pm Mon 26 Nov 12
Go and get some hoses, direct them at the units, turn them on!
Phani Tikkala
says...
3:20pm Mon 26 Nov 12
The Council minutes approving these idiot boards are brilliant.... I quote:
"The cycle counter displays will encourage the uptake of cycling, which will result in air quality improvements, less congestion and improve the overall health of the population of Brighton and Hove." Like, yeah that worked.
"All units have been designed to be as vandal-proof as possible." That's a cracker too.
Genius. Trebles all round!
Maxwell's Ghost
says...
3:29pm Mon 26 Nov 12
The idiot Tories installed the waste of money counters.
The idiot Greens then said the counters didn't work so they wouldn't use them anymore.
However, I suggest that the Greens have been pleased the counters are broken and they were not interested in repairing them because the party didn't want the public to see how few people cycle along a route that they are about to waste another few million on with an unnecessary new cycle lane.
The Greens issued a lying press release about the Lewes Road cycle lane on the council website. I made a formal complaint about the inaccuracies and lies and it was removed within 24 hours.
A few days later, thanks to an FoI request, the officers' report into the feasability of the Lewes Road cycle lane was issued, which stated that the lane would deliver a less than one per cent increase in cycling along the route.
So, not only do the Greens lie, but they are still happy to waste money as well as lie.
Jimmy Stewart's Imaginary Rabbit
says...
4:10pm Mon 26 Nov 12
Jimmy Stewart's Imaginary Rabbit
says...
4:16pm Mon 26 Nov 12
Andy R wrote:I think his point was they didn't work properly even when they weren't vandalised.
Maxwell's Ghost wrote:Doesn't need to now, does he? You've done it. Yes the Tories installed them so what's your point?
The Greens PR Manager HJarrs will be posting shortly to tell you that it was the Tories who installed this waste of money. However, I find it strange that the counter on the Lewes Road has no visible signs of vandalism and has not worked since the day the Green council said it was going to spend millions on a new cycle lane to cater for the vast numbers of cylists. When I cycled past it taxis were setting it off and even then only about 28 people were cycling a day in winter.
Do you even have one?
It was worth pointing out (again) to some of the more hysterical anti-Greens that, whilst your hearts are in the right place, we can't actually pin this on them as it was the Conservatives who installed them, the same as it was the Conservatives who first proposed the blanket 20 mph speed limit. Things were going wrong in Brighton long before the Greens took over.
Hoarder12345444
says...
4:19pm Mon 26 Nov 12
Hoarder12345444
says...
4:19pm Mon 26 Nov 12
Hoarder12345444
says...
4:19pm Mon 26 Nov 12
NickBrt
says...
4:21pm Mon 26 Nov 12
Brightonscouse2
says...
4:22pm Mon 26 Nov 12
Jimmy Stewart's Imaginary Rabbit wrote:It was also The Conservatives, and Labour before, that implemented parking zones under dubious consultation. But that's just it, no matter which party is in power the same, or similar, policies will be introduced. The same commenters on here will also still cry foul whilst claiming to have voted for the other lot.
Andy R wrote:I think his point was they didn't work properly even when they weren't vandalised.
Maxwell's Ghost wrote:Doesn't need to now, does he? You've done it. Yes the Tories installed them so what's your point?
The Greens PR Manager HJarrs will be posting shortly to tell you that it was the Tories who installed this waste of money. However, I find it strange that the counter on the Lewes Road has no visible signs of vandalism and has not worked since the day the Green council said it was going to spend millions on a new cycle lane to cater for the vast numbers of cylists. When I cycled past it taxis were setting it off and even then only about 28 people were cycling a day in winter.
Do you even have one?
It was worth pointing out (again) to some of the more hysterical anti-Greens that, whilst your hearts are in the right place, we can't actually pin this on them as it was the Conservatives who installed them, the same as it was the Conservatives who first proposed the blanket 20 mph speed limit. Things were going wrong in Brighton long before the Greens took over.
Joshiman
says...
4:50pm Mon 26 Nov 12
george smith
says...
4:53pm Mon 26 Nov 12
nxcoachdriver
says...
6:13pm Mon 26 Nov 12
In fact please hands up who actually voted them in, don't be shy.
taman
says...
7:11pm Mon 26 Nov 12
PorkBoat
says...
7:19pm Mon 26 Nov 12
Fairfax Sakes wrote:Once again, I wholeheartedly support your view.
As for these bike counting units, all I can say is:
Go and get some hoses, direct them at the units, turn them on!
Andy R
says...
7:38pm Mon 26 Nov 12
nxcoachdriver wrote:Didn't read it did you......
I can't wait to be able to vote the greens out. They are mad , bonkers and not on this planet.
In fact please hands up who actually voted them in, don't be shy.
Hove Actually
says...
8:04pm Mon 26 Nov 12
Just spoke to someone who should know about reports of vandalism and he was none the wiser.
Someone is being economical with the truth
Maxwell's Ghost
says...
9:53pm Mon 26 Nov 12
I understood that there was a problem with the power to the units not vandalism to the Lewes Road one but perhaps I shall have to make yet another FoI request to get the truth from the council.
I still believe that the council did not want us to see the low figures of cyclists using the Lewes Road cycle lane as it would not have supported its plan to spend millions on changing the lane in the hope of getting people to cycle. However, the council officer's report into the viability of the new lane on the Lewes Road (which was also only released following an FoI request) suggests that less than one per cent of traffic will leave vehciles and choose public transport on the route.
More money wasted when the existing lane is absolutely fine, we just want the parked cars moved out of the lane at the Elm Grove end of the cycle lane.
B G Gruff
says...
10:07pm Mon 26 Nov 12
george smith wrote:eh? the EU pays sheep to eat grass? where did you get that from?
Lets hope they scrap sheep grazing when the EU money runs out. Actually it is our money that goes to the Eu and some of it comes back for these daft ideas
funkyyoyo
says...
3:22am Tue 27 Nov 12
george smith
says...
6:17am Tue 27 Nov 12
B G Gruff wrote:Seriously, Brighton has at times 700 sheep at £2 a week each and something like £100 each time they move. The sheep are in Brighton every day of the year The money comes from some EU fund meant for farmers. However there is a time limit on the funding. So who will pay then, us directly rather than via the EU?
george smith wrote: Lets hope they scrap sheep grazing when the EU money runs out. Actually it is our money that goes to the Eu and some of it comes back for these daft ideaseh? the EU pays sheep to eat grass? where did you get that from?
Dreadful waste of tax payers money
Can this be
says...
7:36am Tue 27 Nov 12
The one at Surrenden Field on the A23 initially counted some buses and taxis when installed, so even the limited data collected is of dubious value.
Dr Wombleface
says...
12:45pm Tue 27 Nov 12
Dr Wombleface
says...
12:47pm Tue 27 Nov 12
Bob_The_Ferret
says...
8:38pm Tue 27 Nov 12
Brightonscouse2 wrote:It just goes to show how much the council executive has been infiltrated and politicised and that the influence of our elected councillors is somewhat less than people would believe.
Jimmy Stewart's Imaginary Rabbit wrote:It was also The Conservatives, and Labour before, that implemented parking zones under dubious consultation. But that's just it, no matter which party is in power the same, or similar, policies will be introduced. The same commenters on here will also still cry foul whilst claiming to have voted for the other lot.
Andy R wrote:I think his point was they didn't work properly even when they weren't vandalised.
Maxwell's Ghost wrote:Doesn't need to now, does he? You've done it. Yes the Tories installed them so what's your point?
The Greens PR Manager HJarrs will be posting shortly to tell you that it was the Tories who installed this waste of money. However, I find it strange that the counter on the Lewes Road has no visible signs of vandalism and has not worked since the day the Green council said it was going to spend millions on a new cycle lane to cater for the vast numbers of cylists. When I cycled past it taxis were setting it off and even then only about 28 people were cycling a day in winter.
Do you even have one?
It was worth pointing out (again) to some of the more hysterical anti-Greens that, whilst your hearts are in the right place, we can't actually pin this on them as it was the Conservatives who installed them, the same as it was the Conservatives who first proposed the blanket 20 mph speed limit. Things were going wrong in Brighton long before the Greens took over.
When you think about it, do you really think the current (or previous) incumbents of the council chamber could have come up with all of the horrendous proposals and schemes we have had forced on the town? There are some powerful, bicycle pump wielding Sir Humphrey's behind the scenes, pulling the strings and as long as our councillors haven't got the guts to say "No!" when told to agree to everything put to them, things will not change, whatever flavour of politicians believe they are in power.
Bill in Hanover
says...
8:39pm Tue 27 Nov 12
Bob_The_Ferret
says...
8:47pm Tue 27 Nov 12
Dr Wombleface wrote:An excellent idea. They certainly won't go wrong through being overloaded on Old Shoreham Road.
Why not relocate them to Old Shoreham Road and prove what a waste of space that cycle lane is. I've never seen a bike use it when I'm driving along. The amount of road allocated to a type of vehicle should be proportional to the volume of traffic using it. You can't build cycle lanes and expect everyone to start using bikes. It's very naive and doesn't help traffic flow on a busy route, therefore keeping motor vehicles there longer and creating additional pollution for the area. Yet another poorly thought out decision.
It's a year now since they started tearing up the road and messing up the junctions and the congestion caused can be pretty grim at times, particularly in the evening peak, with vehicles regularly queuing all the way from Upper Drive to Hove Park. With such a success under their belts, I'm surprised that phase 2 hasn't been started. Maybe we can look forward to the proposals next year.
Steve Ancell
says...
8:54pm Tue 27 Nov 12
It would be far cheaper to either just leave them in place but not operational or simply replace the guts with cheaper LED displays and use a Raspberry Pi or Arduino to do all the whizzy stuff. A Raspberry Pi or Arduino is low power enough to be powered by solar or they could always use hot air that comes from the Green's mouths.
Steve Ancell
says...
11:01pm Tue 27 Nov 12
Even better, it could be funded from the sale of the guts from the counters, although I very much doubt that the parts that make one of those things up actually did cost £50,000. I would probably be hitting a sensitive spot if I were to say that I reckon most of that funding went on admin or some other unnecessary crap.
wippasnapper
says...
5:48pm Thu 29 Nov 12
toldsloth says...
12:54pm Mon 26 Nov 12
What a complete and utter farce "EU Funding" - who do you think funds the EU in the first place?!!!