Fears have been raised that the planned cycle path running along the Westway flyover could be ditched by the capital’s new mayor.
London Assembly Member (AM) Caroline Russell is concerned at reports the route from Paddington to Acton , which forms part of the east-west Cycle Superhighway, may be ditched because of opposition by Westfield Shopping Centre.
And she called on Sadiq Khan to honour his manifesto pledge to continue with the superhighways programme and invest in new routes.
The Green AM said: “The Mayor promised he would make London a byword for cycling around the world. Scrapping plans for the only safe cycle route between west London and the city suggests he is going to struggle to fulfil his promise.
“The Westway cycle superhighway has huge support, as seen in the public consultation. If the Mayor has scrapped the route for good reasons, he needs to make them clear and bring forward something much better, not just cancel it.
Mayor urged to think again
“The newly-built sections of superhighway in central London have been a massive success and huge numbers of people are using them daily. I urge the Mayor to look at the evidence and think again.”
Transport for London's planned Westway cycle track would take up one of the six existing traffic lanes on the A40 flyover between Westbourne Bridge and Wood Lane, White City , with a concrete barrier topped with a glass panel separating cyclists from traffic.
It would form part of the first of two schemes, and see a continuous segregated route from Paddington to Wood Lane. The second scheme would improve existing cycling facilities between Wood Lane and North Acton and connect to the first scheme to form a continuous route.
A spokesman for the Mayor told getwestlondon: “Sadiq wants to make London a byword for cycling around the world and is committed to making it a safer and easier choice for Londoners.
“Transport for London is still analysing the consultation responses on extending the East West Superhighway via the Westway and absolutely no decisions have been made.”
He continued that Mr Khan had pledged to continue the Cycle Superhighway Programme, investigating new routes and learning the lessons from earlier schemes, with a focus on segregated provision where appropriate.
