Green Cllrs Caroline Russell for Islington and Sian Berry for Camden have joined with Leader Natalie Bennett and local campaigners to call out Councils on unfinished cross-borough cycle boulevard.
Green Cllr Sian Berry (second left), Green campaigner Charlie Kiss (third left), Green Party Leader and Camden local Natalie Bennett (centre right) and Green Cllr Caroline Russell calling for reinstatement of cancelled cycle project on Clerkenwell Road (as pictured in the Islington Tribune)
Camden council began the cycle path on Clerkenwell Road 10 years ago. It was originally intended to extend to the central London area of Fitzrovia in the West, and to Old Street and Shoreditch in the East as a joint venture with Islington Council. After spending a suspected £30,000 constructing a 70ft by 10ft wide “boulevade” including its own cycle traffic lights, however, it was abandoned by Camden Council. Islington Council also failed to take up the scheme.
Despite the poor provision for cyclists along the route (the path has now been bricked up at either end), up to 60% of journeys along Clerkenwell Road are now made by cyclists – double the number when construction first began. Last year, cyclist Francis Golding, will killed after being hit by a coach on the western stretch of the road – one of six London cyclists who died in collisions in 2013. Tragically, an inquest found his death might have been prevented had there been a protected cycle lane in place.
To highlight the need for work to continue on provision for cyclists on the route, Green Leader Natalie Bennett and Green Camden and Islington Councillors Sian Berry and Caroline Russell joined in a “flash mob” at the junction of Farrington and Clerkenwell Road organised by the London Cycling Campaign’s Andrea Casalotti (above, far left)
Speaking to the Islington Tribune, Cllr Caroline Russell, who represents Highbury East ward, said: “Anything that starts addressing the traffic domination of our roads and makes them more people-friendly has got to be good. We understand we must allow for the city to function but a safe space should be reallocated for cyclists.”
Green campaigner Charlie Kiss who was also at the protest, added: “We need safer cycling in Clerkenwell – especially considering 60% of traffic are people on bikes!”
London Cycling Campaign’s Andrea Casalotti is calling for the Councils to create a “Clerkenwell Boulevade” to create safe space for cyclists using the route. To find out more please visit his google plus page.