Scheme includes 'transformative' change for cyclists in town centre

Ealing Council have been told that they are to receive backing for key components of their 'mini-Holland' scheme to boost cycling in the borough. Last month the Council were informed that their plan was not one of the ones selected to receive full funding from Transport for London (TfL) but they are still to receive money which will lead to changes in local cycling facilities which are described as 'transformative'. Other funding sources are being considered to implement the scheme in full.

In a letter addressed to Ealing’s leader, Councillor Julian Bell, London’s cycling commissioner, Andrew Gilligan, and managing director of surface transport for TfL, Leon Daniels, said Ealing would receive ‘substantial funding’  – which could be up to £15million – to deliver several of the objectives set out in the bid submitted to the Mayor of London last September.

In the letter, the TfL officials praised the council for identifying the one-way system in Ealing’s town centre as the borough’s key problem in cycling.   It read:  “ Few routes in the centre of the borough are possible without passing through the town centre, which is currently rather intimidating for cyclists. The borough’s town centre proposal creates the possibility for transformative change and we will work with you to deliver it.”

The letter also mentioned that it was keen to support the implementation of the council’s proposed Uxbridge Road cycle route, as well as a number of quietway routes and the link to the new A40 superhighway.

Councillor Julian Bell said: “This is an immensely positive step towards revolutionising travel in Ealing by making it safer and more appealing for all levels of cyclists.  We are doing everything we can to secure as much funding as possible from the Mini-Holland pot to carry out our cycling improvement plans. We will also be looking to identify other funds from TfL and from sources such as s106 to deliver the entire Mini-Holland bid.”

Last month, Ealing was named along with Kingston, Enfield, Waltham Forest, Bexley, Merton, Richmond and Newham as the recipients of the £100million Mini-Holland funding pot. Kingston, Enfield and Waltham Forest are to receive up to £30million each to implement their full cycling plans. The exact amount of funding Ealing will receive is still to be confirmed.

April 9, 2014