Sky and GSK back West London Cycle Superhighway plans

Two of West London’s biggest employers – the broadcaster Sky, and pharmaceutical firm GSK – have backed plans for a Cycle Superhighway that will run from Kensington Olympia to Brentford.

Moreover, Sky – which until last year sponsored British Cycling, and still backs the UCI WorldTour team that bears its name – has called for the route to be extended to Hyde Park Corner in the east, and Heathrow airport in the west.

Both companies are signed up to the Cycling Works West website, which highlights how employers in the area are in favour of the planned infrastructure.

Bella Vuillermoz, director of Osterley-based Sky, said: “Like many organisations in London a growing number of Sky’s employees cycle to work, but an even larger proportion of our employees would cycle to work if they felt comfortable and safe on the roads.

“Sky has a long and passionate history with cycling, we have a professional cycling team and our partnership with British Cycling resulted in over 1.7 million more people now cycling regularly compared to 2008.

“We harness our passion through to our colleagues by providing excellent facilities to make it easier to cycle to work; free cycle servicing and discounted parts from our onsite cycle shop, showers, drying rooms, lockers, cycle parking and a Cycle to Work initiative with over 1,000 participants.

“However, we recognise that safe cycle routes are vital to increase the take up of cycling as a commuting option in outer London,” she continued,

“In light of this, Sky welcomes TfL’s CS9 proposals; as a Cycle Superhighway connecting Hounslow to central London, it will provide a continuous connection for more of our staff and visitors.

“In addition to the current plans, we would also like to see the original plan of extending the route to Hyde Park in the east, and Heathrow Airport in the west developed and progressed.”

Catherine Warwick-Wilson, UK Transport Development Manager at GSK which has its global headquarters in Brentford, said: “Safe cycle routes are vital to continue to attract increased take up of cycling as a commuting option in outer London.

“A Cycle Superhighway connecting Hounslow to central London will provide a continuous connection to retail and transport hubs for more of our staff and visitors therefore GSK are happy to support TfL’s CS9 proposals.

“In addition to the current plans, we would like to see the original plan of extending the route to Hyde Park in the east and Heathrow Airport in the west developed and progressed,” she added.

Other organisations backing the plans include the housing association L&Q, the charity Middlesex Association for the Blind, and creative agency Now Comms.