As anyone who has tried to get on a train with thier bike over the Christmas 
break will know provision for cyclists is poor to say the least. Currently there is no minimum requirement for train operators to carry bicycles and each operator has a different set of rules and booking procedures. This makes the system extremely complex to use, especially where multiple operators are used. Its not possible to book bicycle reservations online and hence one does not know whether there will be room for a bike on a train when a ticket is purchased.
There is an e-petition calling for the train operators to provide an integrated system for the carriage of bicycles and ensure there is adequate capacity available. To add you name go to: http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/bikes-on-trains/
Unspeakable Truths
Candle Lighting Commemoration
PASS on Plastics will be showing 
The University of Cumbria’s Head of Estates and new Travel Plan Coordinator attended the December PACT meeting to talk to residents about ongoing traffic and parking issues in the ward. The new travel coordinator has only been in post two weeks, so has yet to get to grips with the problems, but after attending the meeting now understands the extend of local residents’ frustrations. He has agree to attend the March 2009 PACT meeting (3rd, 7.30pm, University of Cumbria) to update residents on the progress he is making to help address the issues.
The sudden disappearance of the bus shelter from Bowerham Rd (South bound near the Pointer round-about) has caused bewilderment amongs locals at this busy stop.
On Monday 1st December, nine campaigners from Lancaster travelled to London to protest at the offices of Centros, the development company behind the plans for the canal corridor shopping centre. The protesters who were not acting in the name of any campaigning group said “After having sat through the pretence of a council planning meeting, where most councillors (excepting the Greens) happily swallowed the often absurd claims made by Centros, we felt utterly disempowered.” 
Green Party Councillors are calling for a public inquiry into Centros’ plans for the canal corridor site. John O’Gaunt ward councillor Jude Towers said: “Lancaster deserves better than this. Centros’ plans will run down the existing city centre, tear down historic buildings and add yet more traffic to an already congested one-way system.” 
Castle Ward Green party teamed up with children from Willow Lane School ito brighten up a bit of green space by planting over 400 crocus bulbs. Children from every class at the school planted 4 bulbs each on the area of grass in front of the Spar shop on Willow Lane.
