South East London boroughs - including Greenwich - have so far spent less than 10% of the money allocated to them by Transport for London for developing the London Cycle Network Plus (LCN+), a report to the Association of London Government has revealed.
LCN+ is a streamlined version of the London Cycle Network. The Mayor of London has allocated £6million this year to boroughs to build safe, high quality and high capacity facilities that will make a real difference to the numbers of people cycling. The 500 mile network is expected to be most suitable for commuter and other utility cyclists.
Greenwich, Bexley, Bromley, Lambeth, Lewisham and Southwark are singled out as the worst performing group of boroughs, spending just £49,000 together. They have been warned that failure to spend the money could mean it is returned to central Government coffers.
Though it may be possible for the Council to spend the money it has been allocated within the remaining months of the year, the omens are not good. The borough has under spent significantly in previous years. And, since the LCN+ is primarily on main roads, there may be more technical problems to sort out with this years programme.
A Greenwich Cyclists spokesperson commented: "If the Council fails to spend our allocation it would be a tragic waste of public funds and a further set back to our hopes for high quality cycling infrastructure in the borough. Councillors must act fast to recover this situation."
Greenwich Cyclists has written to Councillor Brooks, Deputy Leader of the Council, expressing concern about the issue and the lack of strategic planning on cycling within the authority. The Cycling Officer has also been asked to provide details of the LCN+ allocation and to explain what contingency plans are in place if the money cannot be committed this year.
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