The consultation by TfL earlier this year showed that the clear majority of people living in Westminster who responded were opposed to the cycle lane based on the fact that they believe it will do nothing to improve cycling or walking, indeed quite the reverse, and is also leading to significant congestion and rat running on Westminster’s roads.
Despite this, Westminster’s new Labour-led administration called for the cycle lane to be made permanent.
Westminster Conservatives have always believed that such schemes can only succeed where they are designed with local people, and they shouldn’t proceed unless the majority of people living in the local area support them.
Cllr Rachael Robathan, Leader of the Conservative Group at Westminster City Council, explains,
"Three years ago, Sadiq Khan installed the Park Lane cycle lane, and we finally, after three years, had a consultation on it so that Westminster people could voice their views on this. And what is staggering is that almost three-quarters of Westminster people have said that they don't support it. They don't think it will do anything to improve cycling or walking in our city.
"And they're really concerned about the rat-running and congestion that this scheme has caused. But disappointingly, Westminster City Council's new Labour administration has supported the cycleway, not reflected these views, and has called for it to be made permanent.
"So I'm saying yes, we need more cycle lanes and ways to improve cycling and walking around our city, but they have to work for local Westminster people.
"The views of local Westminster residents should be given priority in any scheme that is in our city and affects all of us every day."
