LCC launches 'photo petition' as it steps up Blackfriars Bridge 20mph campaign

The London Cycling Campaign (LCC) has stepped up its efforts to overturn plans to scrap a 20mph speed limit reinstated on the capital’s Blackfriars Bridge with the launch of a ‘photo petition,’ and is urging cyclists to send in pictures so it can put pressure on Mayor Boris Johnson to reconsider his decision.

The speed limit has been put in place while roadworks were carried out on the bridge, which is viewed as being particularly hazardous to cyclists. However once the works are over, the temporary speed limit of 20mph will be removed.

Some 2,000 people signed an LCC petition protesting the decision, and last week the Greater London Assembly (GLA) was due to vote on a motion proposed by the Green Party’s Jenny Jones and supported by Liberal Democrat and Labour Assembly Members to have the lower limit maintained.

However, the debate and vote did not take place after Conservative Assembly Members walked out shortly before it was due to commence, ostensibly in protest at their perceived under-representation on GLA committees.

Labour Assembly Member John Biggs said afterwards: “It is absolutely outrageous that Conservative members of the London Assembly cannot even be bothered to debate this very important issue. Only last week there was another accident on the bridge. Conservative members should not play games where the safety of vulnerable Londoners is concerned.”

LCC says it is “urging everyone who cares about people-friendly public spaces and reducing road danger to add their picture to our ‘20mph Blackfriars’ photo petition.

“It only takes a minute, and when we’ve enough photos we’re going to show them off in a very public place in a highly visible but obviously still legal kind of way.”

Pictures should be sent in a blank email to blackfriars-photo [at] lcc.org.uk, together with your caption in the subject line.

You don’t need high-end kit, a picture taken on your phone’s camera will be perfectly adequate, and LCC will add the picture to its Flickr photostream.

“This is your big chance to tell the Mayor ‘face to face’ that he must grant Londoners the freedom to cycle and walk by making our streets safer,” continues LCC.

“This freedom starts with keeping Blackfriars Bridge 20mph, and means the Mayor taking on the traffic-management bureaucrats who sacrifice our safety to keep more cars moving faster.

“Your photo will be stronger if it includes a message, or maybe your bike, your friends or your kids,” it adds.

LCC says that maintaining the 20mph limit is just the first step in its campaign regarding Blackfriars Bridge – the next will be pushing for a redesign of the road layout there to make it safer for vulnerable road users.