FARCE OF THE CYCLE SUPER HIGHWAYS
At last! Transport chief apologises for ‘ill-judged’ expansion that’s blamed for road gridlock and increased pollution
THE rapid spread of controversial cycle ‘superhighways’ has backfired on drivers, Britain’s most powerful transport tsar has admitted.
Mike Brown, the commissioner for Transport for London, has apologised to motorists who have complained that a network of segregated cycle lanes has made the traffic even worse.
Despite being a passionate supporter of cycle lanes, Mr Brown acknowledged they had been ‘ill-thought through’ and ‘ill-judged’ in the capital.
He added that they had been rushed in under Boris Johnson during his eight years as London mayor. The stinging attack on one of Mr Johnson’s flagship policies will fuel debate about the proliferation of cycle lanes around the UK.
They have been embraced by cycling groups, council chiefs and safety campaigners who say they reduce congestion and pollution and make the roads safer.
But they have infuriated many drivers who say they are forced to spend even longer stuck in traffic.
Mr Brown was speaking at a debate in London hosted by LBC Radio host Nick Ferrari – who claims cycle superhighways have done more than anything to slow down traffic since the Luftwaffe bombed the capital in the Second World War.
‘I apologise absolutely for the way cycle lanes were delivered in the last mayor’s administration,’ said Mr Brown.
‘I think it was ill-judged, it was too fast and ill-thought through in the speed in which it was done, which I’m afraid is the main downside of living in a democracy – people want to do things in their term.’
The commissioner stressed that the routes have helped save ‘many, many lives’ and made the roads safer for cyclists. Eight were killed in London in 2016, down from 14 in 2013.
Although he did not give further details of his concerns, TFL later insisted Mr Brown was referring to the disruption caused by roadworks as too many lanes were built at the same time, rather than the extra congestion after they had been completed.
But the criticism will provide ammunition for those who believe that cycle lanes being built all over Britain are making the roads more congested by reducing space for motor traffic.
Critics claim this, in turn, is pushing up air pollution rather than reducing it.
Cambridge, Oxford, Manchester and Birmingham are among the major cities investing heavily in such routes.
Robert Flello, an independent transport consultant and former Labour member of the Commons transport committee, said: ‘There is nothing wrong with cycle lanes. But the way they are being introduced is often increasing congestion and worsening pollution.’
Howard Cox, of the Fair-Fuel-UK motoring campaign group, said: ‘The admission that cycle highways were introduced impulsively and without common sense will not be any comfort to hard-working motorists, van drivers, taxis and hauliers at the heartbeat of the nation’s economy.’
Steve McNamara, of the Licensed Taxi Drivers Association, described the cycle superhighways as a ‘ complete disaster’ which have caused gridlock in London. Perhaps the most controversial of the eight superhighways in the capital runs through central London, from Tower Hill in the east to Lancaster Gate in the west. The £50million, 12-mile, route is set to be completed later this year.
It runs along the Embankment, by the Thames, to Westminster, removing one lane of traffic.
Drvers have complained that putting such a large cycle lane along such a busy route has caused gridlock, and argue that these lanes are barely used for much of the day.
More generally, motorists complain that cyclists often use the roads anyway, or switch to the road whenever they encounter a red light on the cycle lane.
Mr Brown also said more needs to be done to get people on their bikes, and said it was still too dominated by ‘white, young males in Lycra’.
Mr Brown was appointed to his role in September 2015, towards the end of Mr Johnson’s eight years as mayor.
Last night TFL said cycle superhighways have helped boost cycling in the capital.
Its latest research shows the number of cycling trips in increasing almost 9 per cent a year and that there has been a 154 per cent increase in the number of journeys by bike since 2000. The current London mayor Sadiq Khan has pledged an average of almost £170million a year on cycling – and recently announced plans for six new cycle lanes in the capital. Plans for another three are already being consulted on.
Roger Geffen of Cycling UK said: ‘Transport for London’s apology massively overstates the problem. Only one of the cycle superhighways – the Embankment – has caused problems for drivers.
‘Overall, London’s cycle superhighways are helping far more people to get around without depending on private cars.’