Attack on Councils 'Contradictory' Attitude Towards Cyclists

3.50.05pm BST (GMT +0100) Thu 12th Aug 2004

Cyclists in the borough are concerned at the way that the council is on one hand encouraging cycling (a £70,000 scheme to encourage children at Whitton and four other schools) but has removed cycle lane protection, as in Park Road, Hampton Hill, in order to create more space for cars.

Vincent Cable said that "in the long running saga of rat-running around Hampton Hill, the council has come up with a new scheme to push more traffic through the traffic signals at the end of Park Road by removing a section of cycle lane. The proposal would be questionable at the best of times but it is ironic that the council is simultaneously putting out press releases claiming to be promoting 'healthy alternatives to the school run'. Kids are being encouraged to take to the road on their bikes while the risk of them being knocked over is increased!"