YORKSHIRE CYCLING'S MOST PRESTIGIOUS HONOUR, THE C. A. RHODES MEMORIAL AWARD, GOES TO DAVID HALL, YORKSHIRE REGIONAL DIRECTOR OF SUSTRANS 1994 - 2014

Yorkshire cycling has formally recognised David Hall, a leading visionary in the need to promote sustainable transport such as cycling, by provision of cycle paths and other infrastructure. 

David Hall was Yorkshire Regional Director of Sustrans for 20 years from 1994, responsible for conceiving, constructing and management of projects as part of the National Cycle Network.  During that period Sustrans had offices in both Leeds and York and developed schemes throughout the county.  Their most notable successes were the Spen Valley Greenway (Bradford to Dewsbury), the Nidderdale Greenway (Harrogate to Ripley), the Great Northern Rail Trail (Cullingworth to Queensbury, yet to be completed) and the Wetherby to Newton Kyme Railway Path.  As a part of their work Sustrans reopened dormant railway viaducts at Nidd (Harrogate), Earlsheaton, Colne Bridge, West Vale (Halifax), Cullingworth, Hewenden, Thornton, Whitby and at Chain Bar (Cleckheaton), where the viaduct crosses 14 lanes of the M62.  All of these projects have breathed new life into redundant facilities and have benefitted surrounding communities by providing easily accessible and safe routes for cycling and walking as an alternative to car transport.

David also led Sustrans co-operation with partners on the Trans Pennine Trail, the Way of the Roses, the York Milennium Bridge, the York Strays routes and the "Big Red Bridge" over Manchester Road in Bradford, which provides a safe road crossing for hundreds of school children.  In addition Sustrans managed behaviour change projects to encourage cycling, by working with local schools, colleges and universities.

Many people were caught up in David's passion for Sustrans work.  He enlisted support from local authority officers, community groups, schools, cycling enthusiasts and organisations, heritage and nature conservation experts and, most importantly, volunteers.  David modestly gives credit to all of these for Sustrans successes and considers himself very lucky to have been appointed as Sustrans Regional Director during such as exciting period of cycling promotion and development across the UK.

The Award citation reads as follows:

“The Trustees are proud to make the 2018 Award to David Hall, Yorkshire Regional Director of Sustrans, the sustainable transport charity, from 1994 to 2014.

David was born in Leicester in 1949 and moved to Leeds in 1958, where he still lives.  He qualified as a chartered surveyor in 1970 and became an estate agent.  He cycled extensively in the UK and throughout Europe and he could see that society's  increasing reliance on car use was unsustainable.

After riding the then recently developed York - Selby cycle track David joined Sustrans as a supporter and attended their AGM in York, where he met founder and CEO John Grimshaw.  Within two days he was invited to Sustran's Bristol headquarters and accepted their lead role in Yorkshire.

In developing the National Cycle Network throughout Yorkshire David has negotiated with landowners to secure disused railway lines, bridges and corridors of land.  By appealing to their common sense in recognising the necessity to reduce car reliance he was able to develop many projects throughout the county.  He was equally at home talking persuasively to local authorities, government officials and elected representatives to secure their support.

Cycle paths which David has delivered include Spen Valley Greenway, Nidderdale Greenway, Wetherby - Newton Kyme, Great Northern Rail Trail and many others throughout Yorkshire.  These routes have incorporated many reopened viaducts,  including Chain Bar at Cleckheaton which carries the Greenway over 14 lanes of the M62.  Many miles of safe routes have been created and all have been embraced by local communities and are used widely by those from further afield, especially cyclists.  He has also worked with partner agencies on longer distance routes, notably the Trans Pennine Trail, the Way of the Roses and other projects throughout the county.

David's passion for this work has left Yorkshire with an outstanding network, encouraging behavioural change in favour of cycling.  In doing so he has rendered service to the furtherance of cycling in Yorkshire and is justly worthy of this Award.”

The Memorial was instigated in 1961 as a tribute to the memory of Charles Arthur Rhodes (1895-1961), doyen of the Yorkshire Road Club, co-founder in 1932 of the Yorkshire Cycling Federation and a nationally recognised cycling official and administrator.  The award is regarded as the greatest distinction which Yorkshire cycling can bestow.

The C.A.Rhodes Award will be presented at the Yorkshire Cycling Federation annual luncheon, to be held on Sunday 24th February 2019.

Further background information on the Award (selection criteria, previous Award winners and a profile of Charles Arthur Rhodes) can be found at www.carhodesaward.org.uk.

With the compliments of the Clerk to the C. A. Rhodes Memorial Trustees:

Elaine Ward

4 The Pastures, Cayton, Scarborough, YO11 3UU

Tel 01723 584558

Email: caytonracers@gmail.com