Ealing Council has agreed an ambitious plan to provide a network of cycle routes in the borough over the next decade, to make it safer and easier for more people to get on their bikes.

The plan, which was agreed at a meeting of the council’s cabinet last night, Wednesday 22 January, is a significant step forward towards improving the borough’s cycle routes, giving people of all abilities the opportunity to cycle. It also aims to protect cycling infrastructure and routes when planning other borough developments.

The Cycle Network Plan shows the routes where the council will prioritise cycling infrastructure improvements. This includes new cycle lanes, clearer signs and road markings, segregated routes on main roads and safer routes through neighbourhoods and green spaces.

More than 1,000 residents, cycling groups and neighbouring boroughs responded to a public engagement survey last year, and the results helped to create the plan. This will form part of the borough’s new transport strategy, to be published this summer.

Significant cycle plans already in motion

Following public engagement and statutory consultation, detailed designs are being finalised for several major roads, including Park Royal Road in Acton and Boston Manor Road in Hanwell, with work due to start by April this year.

These schemes will be supported by the expansion of the council’s popular bike hangars, which will total 125 hangars this February, allowing more people around the borough to store their bikes safely. Plus, the council’s cycle training for school children and adults will continue and there will be more opportunities to rent cargo bikes for those who want to give them a try.

A healthier, safer and greener borough

Councillor Paul Driscoll, the council’s cabinet member for climate action, said ‘The borough is facing ongoing challenges with congestion and pollution, but the new Cycle Network Plan will go a long way towards mitigating this. With better connected, safer cycle routes across the borough we should start to see more people opting for this mode of transport and with that a decrease in the amount of congestion and pollution damaging our neighbourhoods.’

The Ealing Cycle Network is part of the council’s wider work to make the borough healthier, safer and greener by encouraging more people to travel actively and sustainably.