Speed bumps and cycle lanes escape worst cuts

Published: 12th November, 2010
by TERRY MESSENGER

THE budget for street safety features such as traffic lights and speed bumps has escaped the severe spending cuts being inflicted on other public services.

Islington’s Labour council leader Councillor Catherine West revealed that money for street safety features across London would be reduced by 13 per cent over the next four years.

That compares with an average cut in local authority spending of 27 per cent.    

Conservative Mayor of London Boris Johnson announced the reduction at a meeting with Cllr West, who chairs the London Councils’ transport and environment committee.

She said: “Boris is telling us we should be grateful. It’s not as bad as it could be, but it’s still significant.    

“These are the things which people really care about – things like cycle paths, pedestrian crossings, bus stops, speed bumps and the like.

“If you don’t look after your roads, your pavements and your paths, you do end up with more accidents. Hopefully, this won’t lead to more fatalities.”

The Mayor said cash provided by Transport for London to London’s 32 boroughs for street works will be reduced to £146million next year – down from £155million – with further reductions until 2015.