Redbridge cyclists win out over NIMBY neighbours in East London cycle route row

Cyclists in North East London were given a boost last night after local councillors backed their choice of route for a major cycle way being planned in the London Borough of Redbridge, one of three options put forward to connect the Roding Valley Way from Redbridge Roundabout to Empress Avenue, Aldersbrook.

As reported on road.cc last week, the route preferred by members of the Redbridge group of the London Cycling Campaign has come under criticism from local residents in Royston Gardens, Wanstead, who claim that it would create a security risk to their houses, which the proposed route would run behind.

That led to the proposed path, known as Route A, being rejected last week by members of Redbridge Council’s Area One committee, who instead gave their support to alternative Routes B and C.

Yesterday evening, however, a majority vote by the Area Seven Committee, which represents the Cranbrook, Newbury and Valentines wards, chose Route A as the preferred option, which is also supported by half of the respondents to a public consultation on the scheme.

According to the website of the Wanstead Guardian, Redbridge LCC members support Route A because the other two choices would involve cyclists having to travel alongside the A406 North Circular Road, exposing them to traffic fumes and creating danger for riders.

LCC member Gill James, who attended yesterday evening’s meeting, told the newspaper: “We are pleased Area Seven went for route A. It is the route we want and got the most support in the consultation.”

She continued: "There was a long discussion about it (at the meeting) but they went for route A with the proviso that some kind of fence be put up at the back of the properties in Royston Gardens to protect them."

The next stage in the process is for council officials to examine Routes A and C in further detail, after which they will report their findings to the two area committees concerned.