With thanks to the Greater London Authority, here are the cycling-related questions put to the Mayor of London, and his answers, for the month of February 2010.

Bicycle Docking Stations (1)
Question No: 472 / 2010
Kit Malthouse
Can the Mayor outline the criteria for deciding where to install bicycle docking stations in the city?
Answer from the Mayor:
TfL worked in partnership with the nine central London boroughs and The Royal Parks, who will be hosting the Cycle Hire scheme, to conduct a detailed site search to identify appropriate sites for Cycle Hire docking stations within the scheme area. In collaboration with these partners, TfL developed site selection criteria taking into account relevant local planning policies and supplementary design guidance as well as TfL’s own standards and design guidance. The key principles were:

• Space to accommodate the following minimum size docking stations (either 19.5m long by 1.4m wide (45 degree); 14m long by 2m wide (single linear row) or 8m long by 4.75m wide (double linear row));
• Minimal relocation of existing street furniture, including existing cycle stands,
• Sufficient space to maintain clear pedestrian/ vehicular paths;
• No loss of trees or grassed areas;
• Safe and secure areas with good natural surveillance, street lighting and/or where appropriate, close circuit television cameras (CCTV);
• Close proximity to attractions such as tourist destinations, community and leisure facilities;
• A presumption against sites where the docking station would have a detrimental impact on sensitive townscapes and/or the setting of heritage assets.

In addition, the host boroughs and The Royal Parks each developed additional criteria which they applied to site specific locations within their scheme area.

*
Bicycle Docking Stations (2)
Question No: 473 / 2010
Kit Malthouse
Why did TfL identify the quiet residential location of Bourne Street, Westminster, as a site for a docking station when the wider and more appropriate Mozart Square and Pimlico Road are available nearby?
Answer from the Mayor:
Site identification for Cycle Hire docking stations in central London was undertaken by both TfL and the relevant local authority. This location was identified by officers at Westminster City Council.

TfL and Westminster City Council believe that this is the most appropriate location for a Cycle Hire docking station within the immediate area. The site is on the carriageway and replaces two pay-by-phone parking spaces and a section of yellow line. Therefore the site will not reduce the width of the street from its current use.

Westminster City Council considered the planning application for this location and granted planning permission at a Council Committee Meeting on 22 October 2009 (reference 09/07015/FULL). TfL therefore intends to implement the docking station as proposed at this location.

Cycle Superhighway (1)
Question No: 486 / 2010
Richard Tracey
What consultation took place with Merton and Wandsworth Councils on the Merton to City Cycle Superhighway, particularly regarding road widths and heavy traffic on this superhighway route?
Answer from the Mayor:
TfL has undertaken significant consultation and engagement with local councils along the Merton to City route, as well as with other key stakeholders such as the emergency services, cycle groups and representatives of the freight industry.

In May 2009, TfL met with borough officers, including those from LB Merton and LB Wandsworth, to present and discuss the concept of Cycle Superhighways. Merton and Wandsworth Borough officers, along with other stakeholders, were subsequently involved with the detailed Merton to City Cycle Superhighway route inspection held in June 2009 to assess the proposed route alignment and identify cycling improvements.

Throughout autumn and winter 2009 all boroughs along the route reviewed and commented on preliminary design drawings, and a number of changes were incorporated in light of this feedback. More recently, borough officers have had the opportunity to review detailed design drawings, prior to construction start. Traffic Management Plans for the construction phase are currently being finalised, prior to consultation with the Metropolitan Police and borough Traffic Managers.

In parallel, TfL has engaged with town centre groups in agreement with borough officers, to update local residents and business owners in the footprint of the scheme. Leaflets and information have been distributed to properties along the length of the route.

On 1 February 2010, TfL wrote to key stakeholders – including Assembly Members, Members of Parliament, and ward Councillors who have a route running through their constituency – to provide further information on the scope of the Cycle Superhighways works. The TfL website will be regularly updated to ensure that stakeholders are provided with information.

Cycle Superhighway (2)
Question No: 487 / 2010
Richard Tracey
How will TfL improve its consultation with the boroughs for future Cycle Superhighways?
Answer from the Mayor:
My response to question 486/2010 describes the approach to Borough consultation with regards to the Cycle Superhighways programme to date. This comprehensive approach will continue for future phases of the programme, building in any improvements that can be made from the experience of implementing the pilot routes.

Average speed CCTV cameras
Question No: 499 / 2010
Steve O’Connell
Given the warm way in which the introduction of average speed check CCTV camera on the A13 was treated with in the Mayor’s monthly report, should we expect to see more average speed check cameras installed on London’s roads?
Answer from the Mayor:
Main roads in London have some of the highest levels of road safety danger and have historically been very difficult to treat. TfL is aware that managing speed reduces collisions and is confident that the installation of the average speed camera system on the A13 will reduce collisions by around 50 per cent.

The A13 average speed camera system is expected to go live in summer 2010. An estimate of casualty benefits will be used to assess the effectiveness of the camera system. This should be available in summer 2011. Any further schemes would be subject to the outcome of the report.

Cycling along the A316 Twickenham
Question No: 572 / 2010
Caroline Pidgeon
A frustrated cyclist who regularly uses the cycle/pedestrian path along the A316 has informed me that it is extremely difficult to cycle down unless you go the same speed as the many pedestrians. Therefore:
A/ Would you consider putting in a separate path for cyclists?
B/ Do you have any plans to support and improve the safety of cyclists along this route, including the need for additional, and better enforcement of, toucan crossings?
Answer from the Mayor:
Conditions and facilities for cyclists on this section of the A316 have been assessed with local stakeholders, including cyclists, and potential improvements have been identified. Possible schemes include consideration of a separate cycle track in locations where there is sufficient width and pedestrian and cycle flows to justify such a facility. At present this scheme is a medium to high priority for the Transport for London Road Network (TLRN) cycling budget and will be considered alongside other schemes in planning the future TLRN programmes.

The assessment also identified the need to improve the pedestrian and cycle crossings at St. Margaret’s roundabout. A scheme to replace the footbridge on the west side of the roundabout with a surface level crossing is in design development. This would provide a substantial improvement for pedestrians, particularly mobility impaired people, as well as for cyclists. Progression of this scheme is subject to consultation during design development and identification of the necessary funding to implement the scheme.

Further west, a similar scheme to replace the footbridge to the east of Hospital Bridge roundabout with a Toucan crossing is at a more advanced stage and is currently being consulted on. Subject to this consultation, it is anticipated that implementation of this new crossing will proceed during the financial year 2010-11.

Road works and cyclists
Question No: 625 / 2010
Jenny Jones
Following your answer to 27/2010, can you confirm that TfL will withhold permits for any road works that do not reference and adhere to the guidelines ‘providing for cyclists at road works’?
Answer from the Mayor:
It is not possible to withhold permits for non-compliance with any guidelines. If any utility activities contravene the legal requirements under the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 or the Traffic Management Act 2004 the recourse is for TfL to take the appropriate legal action.

*
Cycle training in schools
Question No: 626 / 2010
Jenny Jones
How much will have been spent on cycle training in schools in 2009/10 and how much do you anticipate spending in 2010/11?
Answer from the Mayor:
Over £3m is being spent through the Borough LIPs on cycle training in 2009/10.

For 2010/11 responsibility has been devolved to the Boroughs as part of the LIP reforms, information on the number of children and adults provided training will continue to be reported on an annual basis.
*
Smarter travel budget
Question No: 627 / 2010
Jenny Jones
What was the budget for Travel Demand Management in 2008/09 and what will it be in 2009/10, including money for local authorities?
Answer from the Mayor:
The budget for travel demand management (known commonly as smarter travel) in 2008/09 was £30m, including Local Implementation Plan (LIP) funding to London boroughs. The budget in 2009/10 is £22m, including LIP funding. The reduction reflects a number of issues, including the fact that the vast majority (in excess of 90%) of London schools now have travel plans in place, well ahead of the national average, and significant changes to the way Personalised Travel Planning is delivered in London to provide a more cost effective approach.

Road Safety budget
Question No: 628 / 2010
Jenny Jones
What were the TfL and borough budgets for Road Safety in 2008/09 and 2009/10, and what will they be in 2010/11?
Answer from the Mayor:
The road safety budgets in 2008/09 and 2009/10 are as follows. This includes the London Safety Camera Partnership funding:

TfL is currently in the process of finalising a new directorate within Surface Transport, in which a number of programmes will sit, including road safety. This directorate is being established to allow the organisation to focus on achieving key outcomes, including casualty reductions, in an integrated and cost effective way.

Programmes and budgets for 2010/11 are being reviewed as part of this wider reorganisation and a breakdown of the 2010/11 budgets is currently unavailable. These programmes and budgets may also need to be revised in the light of the DfT’s new national casualty reduction targets when these are published.

It should also be noted that due to reforms in the Local Implementation Plan funding arrangements, from 2010/11 onwards road safety spend will not be separately identified in borough allocations. Progress towards London-wide casualty reduction targets will, however, be one of the key indicators which continues to be reported annually.