A combination of 44 local businesses and 10 local residents’ associations representing thousands of residents have combined forces to campaign against TfL’s plan to ‘jam up’ Holland Park Roundabout in West London, by adding new traffic lights and running a new cycle lane through the middle of it, when, the campaigners say, there is already parallel infrastructure for cyclists on either side.
The roundabout is situated on a major 4-way arterial route, north-south and east-west, in, out of, and across London, which many vehicles cannot reasonably avoid.
“TfL’s plan will remove lanes used by all traffic, including buses and emergency vehicles, rather than improve the existing infrastructure which is safe and effective,” say Save Our Streets.
The campaign, as reported earlier this week on Highways News, comprises posters, leaflets, social media and a website, www.SOS10.co.uk, where people are encouraged to email all their relevant local representatives to tell them how they feel about TfL’s plans.
The campaigners are objecting to TfL’s traffic scheme as they are of the opinion that it will result in:
Traffic displacement;
Increased congestion;
Increased pollution;
Longer journey times;
Economic damage.
With cyclists already using the two existing cycle routes and with only one slight cycle accident occurring on the roundabout during TfL’s 3-year reference period, the campaigners insist that th roundabout is not dangerous for cyclists and a third cycle lane is not needed, citing that:
TfL’s scheme is not safe;
TfL has used flawed data;
There is overwhelming local opposition;
TfL’s publicity has been misleading.
Last November, leaders of local residents’ associations met with the TfL’s walking and cycling commissioner and presented alternative plans. They recommended upgrading the two existing cycle routes around the outside of the roundabout, which could deliver TfL’s cycling objectives much more quickly, at lower cost and without jamming up the roads. Rather than prioritise the residents’ plan and evaluate its impact.
John Cowdry, Chair of Holland Park Residents’ Association (HPRA), one of the campaign’s supporters, said:
“TfL’s claim of 54 accidents at the Holland Park Roundabout over the last three years belies that there was in fact just one (thankfully only slight) accident involving a cyclist on the roundabout. It is disappointing that TfL seems to have presented data in a way that paints a picture that is not accurate, seemingly to try to justify an
unnecessary and expensive scheme. Safe cycling is an objective wholly supported and encouraged by the HPRA, but it doesn’t need three parallel bike lanes to achieve it.”
(Pic: Save our Streets)
