The London Assembly today called on Mayor Boris Johnson to reverse cuts in funding for the London Cycle Network Plus (LCN+) and to ensure the network is completed by its 2010 target date.
The Mayor’s draft budget for 2009-10 proposes reducing spending on the LCN+ from £20m to £10m.
Proposing the motion Darren Johnson AM said:
"This pan-London network of routes is key to safer cycling. It beggars belief that a Mayor who is a regular cyclist would even consider cutting funding especially when the project is nearing completion.
"Transport for London and the capital’s boroughs have made good progress over the last few years, but figures show that two thirds of the LCN+ will be delayed or dropped.
"Cyclists deserve a network not a fragmented mess. I urge the Mayor to rethink his decision."
Seconding the motion, Caroline Pidgeon AM said:
"This is a short term decision for short term gains. The Mayor needs to look at the long-term impact of axing funding for the London Cycle Network Plus.
"This decision undermines the Mayor’s other measures, such as the cycle hire scheme, as Londoners would be left with using unfinished routes."
The full text of the motion is as follows:
"This Assembly welcomes the progress which Transport for London and the boroughs have made over the last two years in identifying and delivering safer cycle lanes and facilities as part of the London Cycle Network Plus. It notes the need to create a pan London strategic cycling network to improve cycling. The Assembly therefore calls on the Mayor to reverse the cut in borough funding for the LCN+ and to keep to the target date of 2010 to complete the network."
Notes for editors:
1. The motion was agreed with 10 votes in favour (6 Labour; 2 Liberal Democrats; 2 Green); 9 votes against (Conservative).
2. As well as investigating issues that matter to Londoners, the London Assembly acts as a check and a balance on the Mayor.