Another batch, thanks to Ian Wingrove in the office of Jenny Jones, Green Party London Assembly Member and 2012 Mayoral Candidate.
Cycling on Albert Bridge
Question No: 15 / 2011
Jenny Jones
Following a survey of over 200 local residents, including parents who take their children to school on foot or by bicycle, it is clear that they are very supportive of a rethink on the surface layout of Albert Bridge. Further to your answer to question 2777/2010, will you now join me in encouraging Kensington & Chelsea to implement a redesigned road layout of Albert Bridge that will encourage people to walk or cycle across it, in time for its reopening in August 2011?
Written answer from the Mayor
As outlined in my answer to MQ2777 / 2010, TfL has already discussed with the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea what potential there is for enhanced cycling provision to be incorporated as part of the works to Albert Bridge. The Royal Borough is considering the final designs for their scheme, and TfL expects an update in February.
I would certainly encourage you to explore this issue with the Royal Borough, as TfL has already done so on my behalf.
Cycling awareness
Question No: 16 / 2011
Jenny Jones
A constituent is extremely concerned that transport decisions in his borough of Bromley are being made by councillors and planners who do not recognise or understand the needs of cyclists. Will you encourage local councillors and transport planners to complete cycle training and to take up invitations by local cycling groups to try certain stretches of road to ensure they are aware of the conditions faced by cyclists in London?
Written answer from the Mayor
I would encourage everyone in Bromley to take up cycling or to cycle more and I trust the judgement of the Borough’s elected representatives and their transport professionals in making their local streets safer, more attractive places to cycle. I understand that there are good things for cycling promised in the borough’s draft Local Implementation Plan (LIP) for the years ahead and, as one of London’s ‘Biking Boroughs’, this is very much what I would expect of Bromley.
Cycling training (1)
Question No: 17 / 2011
Jenny Jones
Can you tell me the number of adults that have been trained to date in each of the boroughs along each of the Cycle Superhighways, as part of their complementary measures?
Written answer from the Mayor
This is set out below, including the funding provided for this training. Boroughs have yet to complete delivery of all training sessions against allocated funding drawn down to date. Boroughs have until the end of March 2011 to spend their allocation and complete delivery of the training.
Table showing funding allocated by Barclays Cycle Superhighway scheme to boroughs for cycle training
Cycle Superhighway Borough Allocated funding drawn down by Borough to date (£) Allocated funding still to be drawn down by Borough (£) Number of People Trained to Date
Tower Hamlets 18,314 7,186 406
Lambeth 18,530 22,970 221
Southwark 5,600 36,900 57
Barking and Dagenham 3,500 16,500 19
City 8,976 13,024 117
Newham 3,300 26,700 41
Wandsworth 10,000 10,000 59
Merton 0 20,000 0
Total 68,220 153,280 920
*
Cycling training (2)
Question No: 18 / 2011
Jenny Jones
How much funding was awarded to each borough for training to complement the Cycle Superhighways and how much remains to be spent?
Written answer from the Mayor
Please see my answer to MQ17 / 2011.
Olympic park cycling target
Question No: 19 / 2011
Jenny Jones
Will you set a target of at least 5% of journeys being made to the Olympic Park by bike after the Games, as part of your taking responsibility for the legacy arrangements?
Written answer from the Mayor
The Olympic Park Legacy Company will work with Transport for London, the boroughs and other stakeholders to promote cycling to help meet Policy 6.9 of the Draft Replacement London Plan, which seeks a 5% modal share for cycling by 2026. The ODA will leave us a positive cycling legacy, in terms of a comprehensive network of on and off-road cycling routes and connections, and we will ensure that we implement the necessary measures in the future to optimise cycle journeys.
Arterial cycle routes
Question No: 22 / 2011
Jenny Jones
Will you investigate turning roads or other routes over to be exclusive arterial cycle routes along the city’s west-east and north-south axes?
Written answer from the Mayor
Cycle Superhighways and other cycling programmes aim to provide high quality arterial cycling routes. Future schemes will continue to provide conditions where cyclists are separated from other traffic where feasible. However, the scope for providing exclusive arterial cycle routes is limited given the space constraints of London’s road network.
TfL funding for borough transport schemes (1)
Question No: 22 / 2011
Jenny Jones
Transport for London has received a four year budget allocation in the Comprehensive Spending Review, but you have yet to announce the funding for borough transport projects in 2014/15. Has the overall allocation figure been decided and when will this be announced?
Written answer from the Chair and the Commissioner
Within their second Local Implementation Plans, London boroughs are required to produce proposals for the period of 2011/12 to 2013/14. To enable them to effectively plan over this period TfL has confirmed the LIP funding for 2011/12 to 2013/14. The LIP funding for 2014/15 will be advised to the London boroughs in summer 2013.
The reduction over the four years (i.e. through to 2014/15) is in line with the new profile of TfL’s General Grant, which reduces by 28.6% by the end of that period.
Boris Johnson (Chairman, TfL) and Peter Hendy (Commissioner, TfL)
TfL funding for borough transport schemes (2)
Question No: 23 / 2011
Jenny Jones
When allocating the borough transport funding, is it your intention to continue to safeguard the funding streams for Road Maintenance, Bridge Strengthening and Major Projects in the period 2012/13?
Written answer from the Chair and the Commissioner
TfL wrote to all the London boroughs on 4 November 2010 providing a detailed explanation of how the Spending Review impacted on the LIP budgets and the allocations for each programme (including allocations for Road Maintenance, Bridge Strengthening and Major Projects) for the years 2011/12 to 2013/14. A copy of the letter is attached as Appendix A.
Road Maintenance and Major Projects budgets have both been maintained at or above current levels. The Bridge Strengthening allocation has also been maintained, but the opportunity has been taken to re-profile the expenditure for this programme to enable schemes to be delivered over an optimal period (e.g. minimising work in specific areas during the Olympics). This also has the benefit of ensuring existing weight restrictions do not need to stay in place longer than necessary, thereby minimising traffic disruption and journey times.
Boris Johnson (Chairman, TfL) and Peter Hendy (Commissioner, TfL)
TfL funding for borough transport schemes (3)
Question No: 24 / 2011
Jenny Jones
The Transport for London Press release of 20 October 2010 on the CSR settlement refers to “a cut in TfL’s allocation to the London boroughs, reflecting the new general grant from Government”. Can you give percentage figures for the cut to the general grant and also the cut to the borough allocation which reflects this?
Written answer from the Chair and the Commissioner
The CSR settlement resulted in a cut in percentage terms to TfL’s general grant from DfT of 1.5 per cent in 2011/12, 4.7 per cent in 2012/13 and 13.3 per cent in 2013/14 – an overall 6.5 per cent in the period. The cut to the borough Local Implementation Plan (LIP) allocation is 2.7 per cent in 2011/12, 5.3 per cent in 2012/13 and 12.0 per cent in 2013/14. When including the re-profiled funding for the Bridge Strengthening Programme referred to in question 23/2011, this matches the 6.5 per cent reduction.
Boris Johnson (Chairman, TfL) and Peter Hendy (Commissioner, TfL)
London Road Safety Plan
Question No: 25 / 2011
Jenny Jones
When will a draft of the new London Road Safety Plan be produced and circulated to stakeholders for consultation? Given that the original publication date of 2010 has passed, can you inform us of the new publication date for this plan?
Written answer from the Chair and the Commissioner
Analysis and preparation for the new London Road Safety Plan is well underway. Stakeholder consultation will take place before the end of the current financial year, with a planned publication date for the new Plan in Summer 2011.
Boris Johnson (Chairman, TfL) and Peter Hendy (Commissioner, TfL)
Strategy to improve transport safety and security (1)
Question No: 26 / 2011
Jenny Jones
How many Londoners were injured on London’s roads as a result of criminal and anti-social behaviour in each of the years 2007, 2008 and 2009?
Written answer from the Chair and the Commissioner
TfL and police data shows that the number of people injured in road traffic collisions in London involving one or more vehicles coded with criminal and and/or antisocial factors has fallen. The figures provided in the table below are based on the reporting officer’s opinion at the time of reporting the incident and may not be the result of extensive investigation.
Year Killed/Serious Injuries Slight Injuries Total
2007 1,124 7,143 8,267
2008 1,038 7,102 8,140
2009 899 6,810 7,709
*
Boris Johnson (Chairman, TfL) and Peter Hendy (Commissioner, TfL)
TfL funding for MPS
Question No: 28 / 2011
Darren Johnson
Can you provide a breakdown of the money that will be provided to the Metropolitan Police Service by Transport for London in 2011/12? Please state what services will be provided and how many officers and staff will be employed.
Written answer from the Chair and the Commissioner
The current TfL business plan includes provision of approximately £91 million for the following services:
Safer Transport Command – £87m to fund 1,654 uniformed officer posts (Police Officers, Police Community Support Officers and Traffic Wardens) and three support staff. This dedicated unit provides enhanced surface transport policing support (including the borough based Safer Transport Teams) to tackle crime and anti social behaviour on and around the bus network, cab related sexual offences and taxi touting, cycle security, road network disruption, roadworks monitoring and red route parking enforcement. In support of these activities the MPS also provides approximately 400 officers and support staff to the Command.
Safety Camera Enforcement – £3m to fund an overall team of 69 staff, including three uniformed officers, who enforce speeding and red light traffic laws by means of safety cameras.
Motorcycle tasking team – £900,000 to fund 11 uniformed officers to provide practical safety assessment and awareness for riders of motorcycles, scooters and mopeds.
Police treatment of cycle deaths
Question No: 67 / 2011
Andrew Boff
‘In light of the recent tragic death of Gary Mason in Sutton, should we be concerned by the recent statement from a leading barrister that “excuses of not seeing cyclists seem to be too readily accepted by the police and the CPS”?’
Written answer from the Mayor
No. The police take all fatal collisions investigations seriously. In every fatal collision investigation the police gather all the available evidence so that if there is any culpability by a third party, then the police would be in a good position to mount an effective prosecution.
Cycle Superhighways
Question No: 92 / 2011
Richard Tracey
Extrapolating from the success of the first two Cycle Superhighways in increasing cycling on the A24 and the A13, how many additional Londoners does TfL expect to benefit when all twelve Cycle Super Highways have been completed?
Written answer from the Mayor
TfL forecasts the number of trips it is anticipated the Barclays Cycle Superhighways will generate, rather than the number of individuals who will benefit.
The latest demand analysis from the Barclays Cycle Superhighways business case for the remaining 10 routes of the programme (updated in July 2010) forecasts an increase in demand of 344 per cent by the year 2020. This equates to an additional 86,000 daily weekday trips across the 10 routes (alongside 35,000 existing trips).
The two existing pilot routes have already seen a 70 per cent increase in cycling trips in the first three months of operation (based on October 2010 count data). By 2020, TfL expects an additional 14,000 journeys per weekday on the two pilot routes when compared to pre-July 2010 figures.
Therefore, taking all 12 routes together, TfL expects the Barclays Cycle Superhighways to have generated an extra 100,000 cycle trips per weekday by 2020.
Future Cycle Hire Expansion
Question No: 110 / 2011
Caroline Pidgeon
Further to MQ 3898/2010, please list the areas which you feel cannot benefit from the Cycle Hire Scheme in future due to “London’s geography and topography.”
Written answer from the Mayor
Lessons learnt from other schemes, notably Paris’ Vélib’, point to severe redistribution problems in areas with steep hills, as the vast majority of users are disinclined to climb up hills in order to dock bicycles. Central London is relatively flat but there are many hilly areas in the city which would present redistribution problems, mainly north and south of the centre. Given the need for one continuous zone, these hilly areas pose a barrier for extending cycle hire to flatter areas beyond them.
Cycle Hire Scheme (1)
Question No: 111 / 2011
Caroline Pidgeon
Please provide a table listing the number of casual users on the cycle hire scheme from the 7th December 2010, per day, until the 17th January 2011.
Written answer from the Mayor
Hire Date Casual Hires
03/12/2010 925
04/12/2010 1,048
05/12/2010 1,537
06/12/2010 749
07/12/2010 888
08/12/2010 819
09/12/2010 1,075
10/12/2010 1,218
11/12/2010 1,938
12/12/2010 1,717
13/12/2010 903
14/12/2010 1,426
15/12/2010 771
16/12/2010 654
17/12/2010 755
18/12/2010 362
19/12/2010 318
20/12/2010 404
21/12/2010 387
22/12/2010 584
23/12/2010 589
24/12/2010 450
25/12/2010 3,768
26/12/2010 2,062
27/12/2010 1,180
28/12/2010 970
29/12/2010 1,368
30/12/2010 1,340
31/12/2010 1,254
01/01/2011 1,674
02/01/2011 1,976
03/01/2011 1,890
04/01/2011 1,235
05/01/2011 1,178
06/01/2011 659
07/01/2011 874
08/01/2011 1,938
09/01/2011 2,846
10/01/2011 1,314
11/01/2011 1,284
12/01/2011 1,249
13/01/2011 1,380
14/01/2011 1,403
15/01/2011 2,602
16/01/2011 2,754
Cycle Superhighways team at TfL
Question No: 4 / 2011
Caroline Pidgeon
How many people work in the cycle superhighways team at TfL? How much does the team cost TfL per year? How many work on the development of new cycle superhighways?
Written answer from the Chair and the Commissioner
27 Full Time Equivalent TfL staff are allocated to the development, management, and delivery of the £170m Barclays Cycle Superhighway programme. This covers staff based within functions including: project management, contractual and commercial management, financial management, stakeholder engagement, powers and consents, legal and property, supporting measures delivery, marketing and communications, construction supervision, design quality assurance, and governance.
This equates to a total staff budget of £1.17m per annum, although the total figure fluctuates throughout the life of the programme depending on resource requirement peaks and troughs. All 27 staff are working on the development and delivery of the remaining 10 Barclays Cycle Superhighways, with three staff members also spending some of their time on project review and project closure activities for the two pilot routes that were completed in July 2010.
Boris Johnson (Chairman, TfL) and Peter Hendy (Commissioner, TfL)
Cycle Superhighways
Question No: 5 / 2011
Caroline Pidgeon
How many Cycle Superhighways are planned for the next financial year and at what cost?
Written answer from the Chair and the Commissioner
Two Barclays Cycle Superhighways are scheduled to open in financial year 2011/12: Route 8 (Wandsworth to Westminster), and Route 2 (Bow to Aldgate). The total combined budget for these routes is £22.6m, which includes infrastructure and supporting measures costs, as well as an allowance for risk and contingency.
Cycle Hire Scheme (2)
Question No: 112 / 2011
Caroline Pidgeon
Please provide a table showing how many cycle hire users have been incorrectly charged, per week, since the cycle hire scheme was introduced, and by how much.
Written answer from the Mayor
Data up to 31 December 2010, the latest date for which validated data is available, is set out in the document attached as Appendix C.
Although it is unfortunate that these errors have occurred, all billing errors have been rectified, and refunds issued to any customers who may have been incorrectly billed.
Cycle Hire Scheme (3)
Question No: 113 / 2011
Caroline Pidgeon
If a Borough or business was interested in opening a cycle hire docking station:
a) How much would it cost per docking station?
b) How would they go about it?
Written answer from the Mayor
Potential docking station locations require careful consideration to ensure they can be implemented to a high standard and can be integrated with the existing and/or planned network. Any organisation that is interested in hosting a Barclays Cycle Hire docking station should contact Transport for London, who will assess whether or not the proposal is feasible and complementary to the overall expansion and intensification plan. Clearly the cost of each site will depend on size and location but as an example, a docking station comprising 25 docking points would typically cost in the region of £70,000 to £100,000 to plan and install, as well as approximately £40,000 pa to operate and maintain, including all operational overheads.
Cycle hire scheme
Question No: 149 / 2011
Caroline Pidgeon
Please provide a table to show, per week since the scheme began, how many cycle hire bikes have been reported faulty and what are the mean causes of faults reported?
Written answer from the Mayor
The table attached as Appendix F provides details of the total number of repairs carried out by week since the launch of the scheme through to 28 November 2010, the last week for which data is available. The table also includes data on the top five reasons for repair.
Please note that this table includes maintenance undertaken as part of ongoing inspections completed by the service provider, not just those faults reported by users.
Bike hire docking stations in Marylebone
Question No: 215 / 2011
Murad Qureshi
If Waterloo rail station can get a 100 bike docking station on the hire scheme, why not Marylebone rail station as well?
Written answer from the Mayor
Although space around mainline rail stations within central London is limited, TfL and Network Rail will be exploring possible options for Barclays Cycle Hire docking stations at Marylebone station in the coming months. In the Marylebone area, members and casual users currently can use the nearby Harewood Avenue and Dorset Square docking stations.
Bike hire docking stations in Victoria
Question No: 216 / 2011
Murad Qureshi
If Waterloo station can get a 100 bike docking stations on the hire scheme, why not Victoria rail station as well?
Written answer from the Mayor
TfL is currently working with Network Rail to look to improving docking station provision at or close to main line rail terminals in London. TfL and Network Rail have been working in partnership to progress the implementation of a large Barclays Cycle Hire docking station at Victoria Station. The proposals are currently in the early stages and TfL aims to have the docking station implemented by 2012. Until then, members and casual users can use the nearby Ashley Place docking station.
Bike hire docking stations in Paddington
Question No: 217 / 2011
Murad Qureshi
If Waterloo rail station can get a 100 bike docking stations on the hire scheme, why not Paddington rail station as well?
Written answer from the Mayor
TfL is currently working with Network Rail to look at improving docking station provision at or close to main line rail terminals in London. TfL and Network Rail have been working in partnership to progress the implementation of a large Barclays Cycle Hire docking station at Paddington Station. The proposals are currently at the early stages and TfL aims to have the docking station implemented by 2012. Until then, members and casual users can use the nearby South Wharf Road and Winsland Street docking stations.
Cycle Safety
Question No: 232 / 2011
John Biggs
In July this year you were a signatory, along with TfL and the Freight Transport Association, to a Memorandum of Understanding. This committed the parties to working together to improve cycle safety in the capital. Please update me on what this has achieved, with particular reference to identifying specific locations and times where lorry routing might conflict with cycle routes.
Written answer from the Mayor
Plans for implementing the Memorandum of Understanding are currently being put in place by the FTA and TfL and through joint working on the TfL’s Cycle Safety Working Group, of which the FTA is a member. The FTA’s plans will be articulated in the FTA’s forthcoming cycling strategy which will include safety advice for cyclists and employers.
TfL has an ongoing programme to work with London’s businesses to review the time and frequency of deliveries through Freight Delivery and Servicing Plans (DSPs), with the aim of reducing the number of deliveries overall. TfL is also developing a Journey Planning tool for freight operators to reduce potential conflicts by enabling operators to plan their routes and avoid areas with high levels of cycling.
Trixi Mirrors and Cycle Safety (1)
Question No: 233 / 2011
John Biggs
Last July, TfL launched a number of initiatives aimed at reducing the number of cyclists killed or seriously injured in collisions with lorries. The 6-month Trixi Mirror Trial was one of these initiatives. Have the results of this trial been analysed and when will they be made public?
Written answer from the Mayor
The trial has been subject to various forms of monitoring and analysis. TfL will shortly be discussing the results of the trial with the Department for Transport, with the aim of gaining permission to retain the existing mirrors and to install further mirrors elsewhere in London. TfL will publicise the results of the trial following the conclusion of these discussions.
Trixi Mirrors and Cycle Safety (2)
Question No: 234 / 2011
John Biggs
Do you have any plans to extend this scheme to more areas in London?
Written answer from the Mayor
Extension of the Trixi mirror scheme will depend on the Department for Transport granting permission for the continued use of the mirrors. Subject to this, Transport for London is keen to extend the scheme to the remainder of the Barclays Cycle Superhighways programme and, potentially, other locations in London.
Aldgate Gyratory
Question No: 253 / 2011
John Biggs
In your reply to 4036/2010 you list the Aldgate Gyratory or Mansell Street as being in the top ten peak hour ‘pinch points’. How was this situation changed by the recent partial removal of the gyratory? In other words, has it worsened or improved?
Written answer from the Mayor
TfL’s analysis was based on the performance of this area of the road network after the implementation of the scheme that removed the gyratory. A direct comparison with the situation when the gyratory was in operation is not possible as the data sources have changed since that time.
While it is evident from observations that delays to traffic have increased post-removal of the gyratory, SCOOT traffic signal control has only just been implemented at the site, as the traffic signals have been operating on a fixed-time basis since the scheme was implemented. Signals fitted with SCOOT technology react dynamically to changing traffic levels, and can help to smooth traffic flow. TfL would expect traffic to flow more smoothly through this area once the SCOOT system has taken full effect.
Help us get on our bikes 2?
Question No: 258 / 2011
John Biggs
In your answer to 4070/2010 what steps did your office take to check the reply for accuracy? What further schemes do you have in preparation for extending segregated provision, aside from cycle superhighways, including, to be helpful, schemes delivered in partnership with Boroughs?
Written answer from the Mayor
In preparing the answer to 4070/2010, TfL used data collected from their own programmes and data supplied by the boroughs.
TfL is aware of a number of proposed off-road cycling schemes in addition to the Greenways programme mentioned in 4070/2010. These include the following TfL schemes: A316 cycle track in Richmond, A12 cycle track in Redbridge and Havering, A406 North Circular in Barnet and Enfield, and A232 at Beddington Sutton. In addition, boroughs are likely to be preparing a number of off-road schemes as part of their Local Implementation Plans (LIPs). However, boroughs are not expected to identify which of their LIP schemes involve segregated provision and so TfL is unable to provide details of these to me.
Cycle Hire scheme
Question No: 259 / 2011
John Biggs
While an attractive scheme, is this self-selecting (overwhelmingly white, male and middle-class in its usage), elitist and based on a flawed business plan?
Written answer from the Mayor
No. Barclays Cycle Hire has proven to be incredibly popular, with over 100,000 members and 2.3 million journeys made since its launch last July. Barclays Cycle Hire is a cheap and healthy way to travel and open to all members of the public from 14 years of age who are able to ride a bike. From 3 December 2010, the scheme was extended to casual users, who have already made over 57,000 journeys.
The scheme is to be extended to East London in time for the Olympics which will give even more people a chance to enjoy Barclays Cycle Hire.
Cycle-Pedestrian Collisions
Question No: 261 / 2011
John Biggs
In your answer to 4074/2010 you tell us that 139 such collisions causing injury to a pedestrian, including 1 fatality. What measures are you taking to reduce this number? In particular, what steps are you taking to reinforce the need of cyclists to act responsibly and on how many occasions have TfL encouraged prosecution of a thoughtless or reckless cyclist?
Written answer from the Mayor
Cyclists can be fined up to £2,500 for dangerous cycling, including cycling on the pavements and knocking over a pedestrian. Police officers issue Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs) to cyclists of up to £30 for offences such as jumping red lights or cycling on pavements. Between January and November 2010, the Metropolitan Police Service and City of London Police together issued over 10,500 FPNs to cyclists. London’s policing agencies are also responsible for prosecuting irresponsible road users. TfL does not hold data on the number of cyclists that have been prosecuted.
To further promote responsible road user behaviour, TfL now funds a specialist team of traffic police officers on bikes, dedicated to promote cycle safety and to crackdown on drivers and cyclists who break the rules of the road. To support this enforcement, the police are continuing their cycle safety educational events. TfL also promotes responsible road user behaviour to members of the Barclays Cycle Hire Scheme.
Biking Boroughs
Question No: 270 / 2011
John Biggs
In recent questions, you have referred to support that was provided at the beginning of last year to “kick-start” the Biking Boroughs initiative across 13 London boroughs. Can you now confirm what progress has been made as a result of that support and what plans are now in place to deliver objectives?
Written answer from the Mayor
In 2010, each of the 13 Biking Boroughs was given funding to develop a cycling strategy. These strategies were delivered in Spring 2010 and identified the actions the boroughs needed to take to achieve a step change in cycling locally. The strategies then informed the development of the boroughs’ Local Implementation Plans (LIPs). The LIPs were submitted to TfL in December 2010 and outlined the actions each borough will now take to improving cycling facilities and to increase cycling levels locally over the next three years. In addition, TfL is reviewing its own delivery programmes for 2011/12 to identify how they can support delivery by the boroughs in promoting cycling.
Greenways
Question No: 271 / 2011
John Biggs
Last month, in response to my question 4070/2010 about off-road or traffic-free routes for cyclists, you brought up TfL’s “ongoing programme to deliver ‘Greenways’ in London” stating that “Greenways provide attractive and traffic free environments for cyclists that make the most of London’s parks and open spaces.” You pointed out that “Greenways will play an important role for spectators accessing the Olympic venues during the 2012 games with eight legacy Greenways funded by the Olympic Delivery Authority and delivered by boroughs and TfL, linking into the Olympic Park and River Zone venues.” So would you now be willing to explain why the budget for greenways has been reduced and has become an unprotected spend area within each Borough’s LIP rather than a central investment in infrastructure for the benefit of all Londoners who choose to walk and cycle?
Written answer from the Mayor
The eight Olympic cycling and walking routes you refer to are fully funded and will be completed this summer.
In 2009 London Councils and I signed the City Charter, a central tenet of which was to give the boroughs greater flexibility over how to spend local transport funding and to allow them to make spending decisions in line with local priorities. Consequently, TfL has significantly simplified the number of funding streams to the London boroughs and any ‘ring-fencing’ of funding for borough Greenways schemes would be contrary to this objective. It is now down to the discretion of local decision makers to decide what level of funding should be invested in Greenways within their borough. TfL will continue to fund Greenway improvements that sit outside of boroughs’ jurisdictions.
Cycling in Walthamstow Central
Question No: 282 / 2011
Jennette Arnold
For the past 18+ months, the cycle phase signals at the junction of Hoe Street/Selborne Road in Walthamstow Central have had hoods placed over them, and there is a sign that says ‘cyclists dismount’ next to a sign indicating a cycle lane.
When one of my constituents complained to TFL, she was advised they were in consultation but when she checked at her local cycle group meeting she learned that they had not been consulted. Will you please reassure my constituents that the cycle phase signals will be reinstated?
Written answer from the Mayor
The cycle phase at this site was reinstated on 12 January 2011; this followed some redesign of the facilities with the Borough following the modernisation of the signals.
Cycle Parking stands
Question No: 290 / 2011
Valerie Shawcross
How many new cycle parking stands have TfL funded and installed since May 2008. How many are in secure facilities?
Written answer from the Mayor
TfL monitors cycle parking delivery based on the number of cycle parking spaces delivered to inform progress towards my target to provide an additional 66,000 cycle parking spaces by 2012. Usually there are two spaces for every stand installed. TfL monitors progress towards my target on a financial year basis.
Between 1 April 2008 and 31 March 2010, over 40,000 cycle parking spaces were delivered across the Greater London Authority area by TfL and its delivery partners including the boroughs, Network Rail, train operating companies and private developers. Cycle parking spaces were delivered on street, at stations, schools and workplaces, at residences along cycle superhighway routes, and at new developments having been secured through the planning process on planning applications which are referable to me.
All spaces funded by TfL are secure, in that they allow both the frame and the wheel of the bike to be secured to the parking stand with a cycle lock or locks. At least 5,600 spaces have been provided in a facility with restricted public access. There are likely to be many more than this in practice, as TfL does not have a record of whether cycle parking stands that have been provided to workplaces are located within secure facilities, though the expectation is that they would be. Similarly TfL receives only a record of the number of stands delivered by boroughs with TfL funding, but not their precise location.
Pedestrian crossing removals
Question No: 410 / 2011
Valerie Shawcross
You are aware of my concerns over TfL’s plans to remove up to 145 sets of traffic signals as per the list of sites supplied to me last year. Please give an update on the status of each of these sites, including which proposals have been dropped, which have gone ahead and which remain under consideration.
Written answer from the Mayor
TfL has not yet met all of the London boroughs to discuss the individual traffic signal sites which have been proposed as potential candidates for removal. However, many of the boroughs have been receptive to the general principle and these discussions are ongoing.
So far, one set of signals on Shepherd’s Bush Road has already been removed by the London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham; and the Boroughs and TfL have agreed to progress the removal of 12 signal sites. 26 sites have been removed from the list and will not be progressed for removal. 14 new sites have been identified for potential removal by Westminster City Council (11) and the London Borough of Ealing (3). 132 sites therefore currently remain on the list of sites for potential removal. TfL will publish an in-depth update by mid February.
Signals will be replaced with other measures on borough roads only if the borough decides that is what it wants to do. Local consultation will be undertaken in all cases before a final decision is taken.
Barclays Cycle sponsorship
Question No: 4021 / 2010
Valerie Shawcross
How much money have Barclays actually paid to Transport for London to date in terms of sponsorship for a) the Cycle Superhighways and b) the Barclays Cycle Hire Scheme?
Answer from the Mayor
£3,407,500 has been received by TfL to date, under the sponsorship agreement for Barclays Cycle Superhighways and Barclays Cycle Hire. The full value of the sponsorship is up to £25m, lasting until July 2015.
Boris Johnson (Chairman, TfL) and Peter Hendy (Commissioner, TfL)
TfL Journey Planner and cyclists
Question No: 38 / 2011
Valerie Shawcross
I have been contacted by a cycling constituent who has been in lengthy correspondence with TfL about the poor service provided by the TfL online journey planner relating to journeys taken by bicycle. My constituent reports that when she tried to use the journey planner for a journey from Stockwell to the West End, the default option for cycling did not use safe back streets but main roads. My constituent asked if there was an issue with the software used for the journey planner as it seemed unable to give safer options – as recommended by the London Cycle Campaign and other cyclists with detailed knowledge of London’s roads. My constituent is concerned about novice cyclists being put off – or in the worst case scenario being involved in an accident – by being sent on to busy main roads by the TfL planner. I’m also told cycling on these roads – including on the CSH can prove hair-raising even for experienced cyclists. Can the Journey Planner be reviewed with a view to ensuring that safe and quiet routes are always Written answer from the Chair and the Commissioner
TfL’s cycle journey planner at http://cyclejourneyplanner.tfl.gov.uk gives cyclists three different route recommendations depending on the type of cycling they want to undertake:
Easy: Prefer quiet back streets and sign-posted routes. The speed is 16km/hr.
Fast: Prefer fastest, most direct routes. The speed is 20km/hr.
Leisure: Prefer quiet back streets, canals and parks routes. The speed is 12km/hr.
Easy and Fast routes are designed to be quicker routes (at 16km/h – the Department for Transport’s standard cycling speed – and 20km/h respectively) for cyclists who want to get to their destination more directly. Leisure routes are slower, less direct routes (at 12km/h), most suited to cyclists who are less concerned with speed and prefer a scenic route. Where there is no suitable alternative the routes do use busier roads, particularly for Easy and Fast routes which are more direct. They will often recommend using the Cycle Superhighways as these provide cyclists with safer, faster and more direct journeys into the city.
If the route is then printed by the user, the map shows other suitable roads around the recommended route, which they could use to find an alternative if they wish. For example, the map highlights quieter roads recommended by cyclists, and routes signed for cyclists.
In addition to the online Journey Planner, TfL publishes 14 paper maps called London Cycle Guides, covering the whole of the greater London area. These show all the different cycling route options in the local area, many of which have been ridden and recommended by cyclists. They can be ordered from the website at http://www.tfl.gov.uk/roadusers/cycling/11682.aspx.
Boris Johnson (Chairman, TfL) and Peter Hendy (Commissioner, TfL)
Kender Street traffic works
Question No: 46 / 2011
Valerie Shawcross
Further to my question to the Mayor number 4034/2010, please can TfL update me on the outcomes of their discussions with Southwark Council’s road safety team after local residents raised concerns about safety impacts of the Kender Street works on their area?
Written answer from the Chair and the Commissioner
The Kender Street Triangle scheme was completed on 29 October and will result in smoother traffic flows in the area, reduced traffic congestion, improved road safety, improved bus journey reliability and better access for residents and visitors.
Following discussions with Southwark’s Road Safety team TfL has carried out some further works at the Queens Road junction with Lausanne Road to amend the eastbound lane destination markings. These works, previously identified by TfL, had been delayed due to adverse weather conditions experienced in November and December.
TfL is aware of some concerns over traffic volumes on St Mary’s Road which are perceived to have resulted from the new traffic layout at Kender Street. TfL will be undertaking post-implementation surveys in the spring of this year to determine the success of the Kender Street scheme as a whole. This will include an analysis of whether traffic flows have increased significantly on St Mary’s Road.
With all major traffic schemes there will be a period of time where traffic adjusts to the new road layout. Therefore, TfL is not proposing to make any significant alterations to the scheme at this time.