A new hard line adopted by Boris Johnson’s government is going to make it harder to address the very real issues created by Sefton’s planned cycle lanes. That’s the view of Cllr John Pugh who has called for a cross-party working group to be et up “to restore sanity” before further steps are taken.
Cllr Pugh says new government guidelines will be issued urging councils ‘to leave schemes in place’ and councils that don’t use the funding available for cycle lanes could find future funding for highways cut back while Liverpool City Council are already feeling the financial impact of removing the West Derby Cycle Lane after residents complained about resulting traffic congestion.
Cllr. Pugh expressed disappointment too about a reply he has received from cycling minister, Chris Heaton-Harris, to his recent request that the government scrutinises properly how their cycling money is being spent.
“It looks like so long as the Council has gone through the proper formalities of consultation, the government does not care how daft the scheme is or how strong the opposition. This is a toughening up in government attitudes.
“The minister in suggesting that the Council should not respond to the ‘ loudest voices’ gives no indication of whose voices should count. So long as the consultation is done and dusted the government will gladly write out the cheque. It’s a carry-on regardless approach. https://road.cc/content/news/boris-johnson-urges-councils-crack-ltns-280641
“We seem stuck between those who want to ignore the issue of cycling safety and greener transport and some decision-makers at Council and Government level who have turned a tin ear to practical objections to half-cock schemes. It’s depressing.”