CYCLING
Moving up
a
gear
There has never been a better
time to get on your bike. Emilie
Armstrong found out more about
a landmark safety trial, a new cycle
hub and upcoming events, plus
plans to transform Ealing’s town
centre into a ‘mini-Holland’.
Mini-Holland
Back in March, Ealing was named as
one of eight London boroughs to
receive funding from Transport for
London (TfL) as part of the Mayor of
London’s Mini-Holland initiative.
TfL praised Ealing’s plans and said
it would grant ‘substantial funding’ –
which could be up to £15million – to
deliver several of the key components
outlined in the original bid. The design
team is now working out the final details
of the plans, which will aim to transform
the borough into a friendlier and safer
place for all people to travel by bike.
New segregated cycle lanes
throughout Ealing town centre are
expected to form the basis of the
mini-Holland improvements. A 20mph
speed limit could also be introduced in
the town centre, along with a cyclefriendly roundabout at The Grove
junction and improved connections
through to Haven Green.
30
around ealing
Summer 2014
In Southall, a new shared pedestrian
and cycle bridge linking Avenue Road
and Merrick Road may be built, while
cycle-friendly routes away from the
main roads – known as ‘quietways’ –
will also be created between Ealing
and Southall town centres.
Ealing Cycling Campaign is
working with the council as
key parts of the plans are
developed.
Councillor Bassam
Mahfouz, cabinet
member for transport
and environment,
said: “Our miniHolland plans would
revolutionise travel in
Ealing by making it safer
and more appealing for
all levels of cyclists. We’ve
worked exceptionally hard
to secure as much funding
as possible, and will continue
to do so until our entire mini-Holland
scheme is implemented.”
Pending funding being received and
consultation carried out, work on the
scheme is due to begin in late 2015.