Caroline Pidgeon AM, the Lib Dem Transport Spokesperson at City Hall, seconded a motion at an Assembly meeting on 14th January, calling on the Mayor to rethink his plans to cut funding for the London Cycle Network Plus and to ensure the network is completed by its 2010 target date.
The Mayor’s draft budget for 2009-10 proposes reducing spending on the LCN+ from £20m to £10m.
“This is a short term decision for short term gains. The Mayor needs to look at the long-term impact of axing funding for the London Cycle Network Plus" said Caroline. “This decision undermines the Mayor’s other measures, such as the cycle hire scheme, as Londoners would be left with using unfinished routes.”
The full text of the motion is as follows:
“This Assembly welcomes the progress which Transport for London and the boroughs have made over the last two years in identifying and delivering safer cycle lanes and facilities as part of the London Cycle Network Plus. It notes the need to create a pan London strategic cycling network to improve cycling. The Assembly therefore calls on the Mayor to reverse the cut in borough funding for the LCN+ and to keep to the target date of 2010 to complete the network.”