Dominic Browne 19 March 2021

Council votes against reinstating Kensington cycle lane

Council votes against reinstating Kensington cycle lane image

Kensington and Chelsea Council has voted to not re-install the Kensington High Street temporary cycle lane scheme, which caused controversy last year after being introduced in October only to be abandoned seven weeks later.

A council report suggests the scheme had managed to boost cycling levels, despite being fully removed within just nine weeks of being implemented after residents complaints.

'The number of bikes counted was 50% higher in the second half of October than it was during the construction of the cycle lanes in the first half of that month. Transport for London officers compared a series of manual one hour counts in October 2020 with similar surveys undertaken in October 2018, and reported increases ranging between 60% and 175%.'

The data also suggests 'there was a substantial amount of leisure cycling while the cycle lanes were in place'.

The council’s leadership team unanimously opted to commission research into transport patterns in the post-COVID world but 'will not reinstall temporary cycle lanes on Kensington High Street'.

Council leader Elizabeth Campbell suggested working with an academic partner on the research, which could lead to a feasibility study for travel options in the longer-term.

Cllr Campbell said: 'The Kensington High Street scheme was a temporary solution to an urgent problem but permanent changes to our roads need full and proper consultation.

'This has been a divisive issue and passionate arguments were made on both sides. I would urge people to come together and work with us to find an alternative for our whole community.' The council's report highlights that both the London Ambulance Service and London Fire Brigade (LFB) 'raised concerns about the scheme and noted that their vehicles would not use the cycle lanes'.

This article first appeared on Transport Network

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Director of Public Health

Royal Borough of Greenwich
Up to £131,210
The Public Health department is at the heart of the council’s business. Greenwich, London (Greater)
Recuriter: Royal Borough of Greenwich

Head of Regeneration and Growth

Plymouth City Council
£68,387 - £74,411 (MFS and relocation available, pay award pending)
This is a unique opportunity to lead our award-winning development team and directly deliver hundreds of millions of pounds of projects. Plymouth, Devon
Recuriter: Plymouth City Council

Director of Adult Social Care

Wiltshire Council
£119,390 - £127,137
Join us as the Director of Adult Social Care and make a real difference to people’s lives. Wiltshire
Recuriter: Wiltshire Council

Assistant Director Planning, Performance & Engagement

East Sussex County Council
up to £97,700
With strong local communities, unspoilt countryside and vibrant coastal towns, East Sussex offers an exceptional quality of life to many. East Sussex
Recuriter: East Sussex County Council

Director of Finance & Commerce

Lancashire County Council
Up to £114,339
You will play a critical role in driving the organisation through complex change and innovation. Lancashire
Recuriter: Lancashire County Council
Linkedin Banner