CYCLISTS campaigning for safer routes are “disappointed” after learning a superhighway linking Barnet, Brent and central London could be scrapped.

Transport for London say it would be “impossible” to create the new route as they have not come up with a plan to see the whole project through.

According to a report, the central London section is now being prioritised.

David Arditti, Brent Cyclists’ coordinator, who have lobbied Brent council to provide safer cycle routes, believes that central London is being prioritised over the outer towns.

“I think outer London is being neglected. Only 10-15% of the budget is being spent on outer London cycle routes,” he said.

“It is very disappointing, but it does not greatly surprise me, since we have had no clear plans for it or how it was to be integrated. It has been talked about for at least five years but nothing has come of it.”

Mr Arditti, who has coordinated Brent Cyclist’s for the last eight years, said he wants the next Mayor of London to commit to Brent Cross cycle routes, but neither Sadiq Khan or Zac Goldsmith have put forward any clear ideas.

Clive Gomes, Brent Cyclists’ campaigns coordinator, said: “Provisions for Brent Cross cyclists are almost non-existent.

“We are being completely ignored, we will continue campaigning and writing but it is all falling on deaf ears.

It is very dangerous to cross junctions in North Brent particularly, making it impossible to cross from north to south Brent without avoiding danger. if we want people to commute by bike, we need safer junctions.”

Mr Gomes and Mr Arditti agree that there are not enough cycle paths to connect towns in north west London.

TfL plans to spend £913m on cycling schemes by 2021/22.

Meanwhile, Darren Johnson, member of the Green Party, expressed his concerns that Mayor Boris Johnson is leaving too much in the hands of the next London Mayor.

He plans to put his own recommendations and questions to the Mayor of London at a meeting on January 20, asking the Mayor to provide assurance to Brent and Barnet cyclists that their needs will be met.

He said: “People in Barnet and Brent desperately need a safe, direct cycle route into the city so it is very disappointing that the Mayor has stopped planning the northern part of cycle superhighway 11, choosing to focus on the central London section only.

“Over his Mayoralty, Boris Johnson spent 80 per cent of the cycling budget in inner and central London and just 20 per cent in the suburbs. Boroughs like Barnet and Brent have had a raw deal.

“The next Mayor must see all of the superhighways routes through. That means both the inner and outer sections of every route. He or she should also seek powers from the government to take control of local roads where individual boroughs are scuppering plans for superhighways without good reason.”


Nigel Hardy, head of sponsorshop for surface transport at Transport for London said, “We’re planning on delivering Cycle Superhighway 11 as soon as possible and intend to consult with the public this spring on the inner section.

"We’re committed to improving facilities for cyclists all over London and it is our intention to extend Cycle Superhighway 11 into Barnet.”