Wednesday 18th September 2024

Westminster City Council has replied to our open letter about delayed cycleways with ‘An absolute commitment to extending Westminster’s cycleways’ . Unfortunately, this response is not reassuring for anyone hoping for safer cycling in Westminster.

Not only are Westminster’s proposed cycle routes long delayed, but most are so weak or watered down that they will do nothing to enable people to start cycling in Westminster, or protect those who already do so.

Removing protected cycle lanes

“We’re making progress on our commitment to delivering three new cycleways – C40, C43, and C51 – all of which are scheduled to be delivered by 2026”

Cycleway 43 was a high-quality scheme, with protected cycle tracks on George Street. 

But the cycle tracks have been scrapped, despite majority support in the consultation. Just 4.5% of respondents complaining about a loss of parking has resulted in a decision to  re-route it - with no protection for cycling. C43 will not feel safe or encourage new people to cycle. 

We also struggle to believe that C40, C43 and C51 will be delivered by 2026. The council has had two years and nothing is in the ground. Will they really have the nerve for roadworks in the run up to the 2026 elections?

Paint is not protection

“And we are beginning construction on Harrow Road, Queensway and Lupus Street cycle routes early next year.”

This sounds good, but… they are not constructing cycle ‘tracks’, they are just painting lines on the road. Harrow Road is mainly double yellow lines. Queensway and Lupus Street will be mostly painted cycle lanes in the door zone of parked cars. Kids won’t cycle here, neither will most Westminster councillors!

Our challenge to Cllr Dimoldenberg: would you cycle on one of these streets in Westminster without any protected cycle lanes? If not, why would you expect anyone else to?

The list of consultations do include a few good schemes: Abingdon Street and Portland Place. But so far these remain consultations that haven’t been built, because nothing has been. We want to see safe, high-quality cycle infrastructure actually on the ground, so that more people cycle in Westminster.

Infrastructure is what we need

The many other measures listed in the statement, such as bike parking, cycle training and a cargo bike depot, are appreciated. Council officers have worked hard on these and delivered. But until we have safe routes for all-age cycling across Westminster, no amount of secure parking or training is going to persuade most people it’s safe to travel by bike.

This is where we need political will - to not back down at the first sign of opposition, but to deliver the safe infrastructure that people in Westminster so desperately need.