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£1million wasted on scrapped cycle schemes

11 February 2021

The Times has reported that £1million of public money has been ‘wasted’ on cycle-friendly road schemes which have now been discarded, following complaints from residents and local businesses.

Investigation found that almost one in ten ‘low-traffic neighbourhoods’ have been scrapped within just a month of being put in place.

Westminster council spent almost £138,000 on design, engineering and consultation fees for such a scheme, only to be scrapped before it was even implemented because it was causing congestion. 

Auto Express found that 25 out of 138 schemes had been altered, and 13 removed altogether after emergency services complained about lack of access.

In the case of low traffic neighbourhoods (LTNs) in Ealing, the chief executive of London Ambulance Service (LAS) wrote to the head of the council, “I appreciate you were under the impression that the LAS had been fully consulted on LTN schemes ahead of implementation, but, sadly, I am afraid this was not the case.”

One incident in Ealing saw paramedics delayed attending a call-out, and unable to park near a 95 year old patient’s home, meaning she had to be transported “some distance” in the rain to the ambulance. 

The Metropolitan Police said that the LTNs “could also create a crime ‘hot spot’ where criminals will use these types of closures to evade police”.

The Department for Transport said, “Well-designed cycling and walking schemes can bring environmental and health benefits for everyone. It is essential that proper consultation is undertaken with local stakeholders before they are introduced.”

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