Mayor fails to consult boroughs on walking and cycling strategy 

London Councils has criticised the Mayor of London and Transport for London for failing to consult the boroughs on the 'Walking and Cycling' strategy launched today (Monday).

Commenting on the launch, chairman of London Councils' Transport and Environment Committee, Councillor Daniel Moylan, said:

"The capital's boroughs are responsible for 95 per cent of London's roads, so it is frankly appalling that they were not consulted on this new strategy. Once again we are deeply frustrated with Mr Livingstone's disregard for the boroughs - just because he presides over a 'personal fiefdom' doesn't mean that he should act like a despot.

 London's boroughs are committed to encouraging people to use greener ways of getting around the capital such as walking and cycling, and have invested considerable sums of money promoting both in recent years. London Councils is also providing £1.2 million over the next four years to commission sustainable transport schemes.

We will happily consider any proposals put forward, by the Mayor or anyone else. But it is tragic that, by his high-handed contempt for London's democratic councils, he is introducing so much political controversy into an area where it has always been possible to work collaboratively with cycling organisations in the past. While some ideas announced today may be sensible, others will prove difficult to implement in practice.

I don't think much of this will happen. Why should the boroughs listen to Mr. Livingstone when he has long since stopped talking or listening to them? He seems to be believing his own rhetoric about London being his personal fiefdom. If he truly wants his strategy to succeed, he should suspend the proposals, take the time and decency to consult with the boroughs, and then work up a strategy in partnership that will actually work for the capital."