We had hundreds of signatures collected on our Giant Valentines Card even though there was occasional rain and snow on the path last weekend while they were being collected.
The Department of Transport is only a short walk from Victoria station and fortunately the address was clearly marked on the postcard so we could find the way.
Shortly after announcing our arrival a charming woman appeared from the building to accept our valentines card. We believe we recall her name was Emily and she is working as the private secretary to Jesse Norman. Jesse Norman (the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for the Department for Transport) describes himself as a compassionate conservative. He considers a reasonable test of whether cycle routes are adequate is by judging if you believe they are sufficiently safe for a 12 year old child to use! This test sounds like a realistic starting point but the friends of Centurion Way believe our path is safe for children of any age (but requires a little supervision for young children).
Emily also said (really hope we have recalled her name correctly) that Chris Grayling used to deliver stuff using a butchers bike when he was a young man. This experience causes him to maintain a deep concern for the wellbeing of cyclists throughout the UK and she explained he would really love receiving the giant Valentine’s card (Sarah Sharp believes Emily may have been referring to her boss Jesse Norman when describing the history of making deliveries using the butchers bike etc).
Chichester Observer have now reported on the story
Valentine’s card for Chris Grayling shows Chichester’s love for Centurion Way
Let us do it again and bigger in 2020.