Member of Parliament for the Cities of London and Westminster, Nickie Aiken, has joined forces with London Assembly Member for West Central, Tony Devenish, to urge the Mayor of London to rethink plans to make the Park Lane cycle lane permanent.
Transport for London has announced they will consult again on the scheme later in the Autumn with the view to make the cycle lane a permanent fixture.
The temporary cycle lane, which first appeared during the pandemic and runs parallel to the popular Broad Walk cycle path in Hyde Park, has been a nightmare for local people and road users. Tony and Nickie have been inundated with correspondence from local people about the congestion the scheme has caused and the subsequent engine idling which worsens air quality.
Cycling is an essential way to get around central London. It’s a green, affordable and clean mode of transportation. Nickie and Tony both believe more must be done to actively encourage its uptake across our City, but this must be done responsibly and they are calling on the Mayor to rethink his plans.
Commenting, Nickie Aiken, Member of Parliament for the Cities of London and Westminster, said,
“No one can be in any doubt, cycling is a great way to get around our City, but we must be responsible on where cycle lanes are placed and bring local people with us. I’m working with Tony and local people to ensure the Mayor of London gets this right. Congestion has been horrendous with engine idling worsening our air quality. It’s time for a rethink.
“As a Former Leader of Westminster City Council, I know what it takes to clean up our air whilst bringing local people along with you. That’s why I launched the hugely successful Don’t Be Idle campaign. Only by working together can we encourage greater uptake of cycling and improve our air quality.”
Tony Devenish, London Assembly Member for West Central, said,
“Park Lane cycle lane is remarkably empty for most of the time. It’s clear it’s not working. Cyclists prefer the Broad Walk cycle path running parallel through Hyde Park, and it’s simply causing more congestion on our roads, and worsening our air quality.
“The Mayor has already taken the view to keep the scheme, but I’m working with Nickie and local people to urge the Mayor to rethink.”
