LABOUR SHOULD 'STOP DITHERING AND START DELIVERING' ON CYCLE SAFETY
Southwark's Labour administration must "stop dithering and start delivering" on improving cycle safety in the borough, say opposition councillors.
The call follows concerns by cycling campaigners that the Aylesbury Estate redevelopment will not included segregated cycle lanes – despite it being promised by Labour councillors on a number of occasions. Instead, plans put forward by developer Notting Hill Housing Trust (NHHT) only offer only painted cycle lanes on new roads, which will run alongside buses and cars.
It marks another policy u-turn on cycle safety by the Labour administration, which had previously indicated it had come round to the idea of segregated lanes. In pre-election hustings earlier this year, the Labour council leader said he was in favour of segregated cycle lanes. Just two weeks ago, the Labour cabinet member for regeneration, planning and transport told local media he had asked NHHT to "look at the options for segregation" on the new roads at the Aylesbury.
Liberal Democrat councillors are backing campaign group Stop Killing Cyclists' call for segregated lanes to be included in Albany Road and Thurlow Street when the new Aylesbury masterplan is submitted for planning consideration.
Speaking this afternoon, Liberal Democrat spokesperson for transport, Cllr Damian O'Brien said:
"With the roads being completely rebuilt, you would think this would be the ideal time to install segregated cycle lanes. It's incredible that despite all their bluster on cycle safety, Labour council bosses are again failing to put their money where their mouths are."
"Liberal Democrat councillors fully support the campaign to get segregated cycle lanes included in the Aylesbury masterplan. The Labour council needs to stop dithering and start delivering on cycle safety."