Monday 10 December 2012

Why doesn't our Council love cyclists and pedestrians?



Transport for London has serious ambitions when it comes to increasing cycling in London. It is targeting a 400% increase in cycling from 2001 to 2026 as part of the Cycling Revolution and, on its past record, it might even make it. Cycling on the major roads network in London has already increased by 173% between 2001 and 2012 and by 9% between 2011 and 2012. [1]

As well as the renowned Boris Bikes the capital has a network of Greenways: routes for pedestrians and cyclists which make use of parks, waterways and quiet residential streets to create calm, safe routes for cyclists and pedestrians with minimal traffic. They also provide cycling training, cycle superhighways, free cycle maps and a cycle safety strategy. [2]

What a contrast to our own dear Tonbridge where the Council has been blocking the Kent Highways plans for linking the exiting patchy cycle routes to form a network for many years now and refuses to consider pedestrianisation seriously.

We too could have a Cycling Revolution and our own Greenways. We too could have alternative routes for cyclists and pedestrians to either side of Tonbridge High Street – the North South route to the West of the High Street is obvious and, with a little planning, another one could be created to the East of the High Street – but our Council lacks the will to do anything to increase cycling and walking and reduce car use.


[1] http://www.tfl.gov.uk/corporate/media/newscentre/24426.aspx
[2] http://www.tfl.gov.uk/corporate/media/newscentre/metro/26423.aspx

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