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Anti-cycling Facebook pages part of propaganda network run by Boris Johnson allyCanary Wharf at night (copyright Simon MacMichael)

Anti-cycling Facebook pages part of propaganda network run by Boris Johnson ally

Lynton Crosby’s firm also ran Square Mile Cycling group which aimed to have Cycle Superhighway redirected past Canary Wharf Group rival
by Alex Bowden
Fri, Aug 02, 2019 13:01
9

A lobbying firm run by political strategist and Boris Johnson ally, Lynton Crosby, ran two fake grassroots Facebook groups, Londoners for Transport and Unblock the Embankment, which wanted to rip up Cycle Superhighway 3 (CS3) along London’s Embankment. These campaigns were reportedly funded by Canary Wharf Group, along with another fake grassroots group that was run by CTF called Square Mile Cycling which was pushing for cycle infrastructure through the City of London’s financial district instead.

The Guardian reports that Londoners for Transport and Unblock the Embankment were “astroturfed” pages – groups looked after by staff at Crosby’s firm CTF but which were falsely presented as grassroots movements.

The two campaigns are said to have been funded by long-time Cycle Superhighway opponent Canary Wharf Group. Questioned on this by the newspaper, the property firm declined to comment.

During rush hour, CS3 – which takes up one lane of the four-lane road – carries more traffic than the other three lanes put together, but Canary Wharf Group has always been solely concerned with the impact on motor traffic.

Former London cycling commissioner Andrew Gilligan wrote that it opposed the scheme from the outset, but feared lobbying against it publicly due to widespread support.

The pro cycling group Square Mile Cycling does not on the face of it appear to fit with that anti-cycle infrastructure position, but the group sought to divert cyclists through the City of London’s financial district instead.

Square Mile Cycling Facebook group

The plan, it seems, was to disrupt motor traffic in the Square Mile – the main rival of Canary Wharf Group.

The Square Mile Cycling Facebook group has now been deleted, but it was known about by local campaigners and its influence was real.

At one point the group handed out flyers.

Between November 2018 and January 2019, the City of London consulted on its draft Transport Strategy. Proposals to get more people cycling include limiting motor vehicles – or even removing them altogether – on key routes at busy times, as well as building protected cycle lanes.

Over 500 people submitted template responses to the consultation through the Unblock the Embankment website, while more than 1,500 people submitted template responses via the Square Mile Cycling Campaign.

In a Facebook post, Square Mile Cycling said: “A huge thanks to the over 1,500 people who’ve responded so far to the City’s cycling plans and our priority route in particular.”

Canary Wharf Group has been contacted for comment.

London
Canary Wharf
Canary Wharf Group
Lynton Crosby
CS3
CTF
Londoners for Transport
Unblock the Embankment
Square Mile Cycling
Alex Bowden

Alex has written for more cricket publications than the rest of the road.cc team combined. Despite the apparent evidence of this picture, he doesn't especially like cake.

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9 comments

Avatar
yupiteru | 5 years ago
5 likes

Yes, but it is no surprise is it, the corrupt Tory Bastards will do anything to get their way, surely this is no secret by now?

Oh and by the way BORIS IS A HOT STEAMING DOG TURD, really, it's a fact, honest, GOD HELP US - what has this country become?

I keep dreaming that BORIS is prime minister, then when I wake up, I think, Jesus that was a bad dream and then I realise it's true and not a dream and then I think, no I must really still be asleep and dreaming that I am awake, then I think, yes I am most definately asleep dreaming, because I once dreamt that my anus was a stargate and when I woke up that wasn't true, or was it.....................?

Avatar
leqin replied to yupiteru | 5 years ago
3 likes
yupiteru wrote:

BORIS IS A HOT STEAMING DOG TURD

excuse me but thats a insult to dog turds

Avatar
brooksby replied to yupiteru | 5 years ago
4 likes
yupiteru wrote:

Yes, but it is no surprise is it, the corrupt Tory Bastards will do anything to get their way, surely this is no secret by now?

Oh and by the way BORIS IS A HOT STEAMING DOG TURD, really, it's a fact, honest, GOD HELP US - what has this country become?

I keep dreaming that BORIS is prime minister, then when I wake up, I think, Jesus that was a bad dream and then I realise it's true and not a dream and then I think, no I must really still be asleep and dreaming that I am awake, then I think, yes I am most definately asleep dreaming, because I once dreamt that my anus was a stargate and when I woke up that wasn't true, or was it.....................?

In all fairness , "Boris Johnson" doesn't exist. He's just a character created by Alexander "Al to his friends and family" Johnson.  Basically, it's a bit like if the Tory Party had elected Frank Sidebottom or Lily Savage. Now that would have been trippy...

Avatar
burtthebike replied to brooksby | 5 years ago
0 likes
brooksby wrote:

In all fairness , "Boris Johnson" doesn't exist. He's just a character created by Alexander "Al to his friends and family" Johnson. 

Boris Johnson, The Apprentice.

Avatar
ConcordeCX replied to yupiteru | 5 years ago
5 likes
yupiteru wrote:

Yes, but it is no surprise is it, the corrupt Tory Bastards will do anything to get their way, surely this is no secret by now?

Oh and by the way BORIS IS A HOT STEAMING DOG TURD, really, it's a fact, honest, GOD HELP US - what has this country become?

I keep dreaming that BORIS is prime minister, then when I wake up, I think, Jesus that was a bad dream and then I realise it's true and not a dream and then I think, no I must really still be asleep and dreaming that I am awake, then I think, yes I am most definately asleep dreaming, because I once dreamt that my anus was a stargate and when I woke up that wasn't true, or was it.....................?

"Chuang Tzu was a philosopher in ancient China, who, one night went to sleep and dreamed that he was a butterfly. He dreamt that he was flying around from flower to flower and while he was dreaming he felt free, blown about by the breeze hither and thither. He was quite sure that he was a butterfly. But when he awoke he realised that he had just been dreaming, and that he was really Chuang Tzu dreaming he was a butterfly. But then Chuang Tzu asked himself the following question: "was I Chuang Tzu dreaming I was a butterfly or am I now really a butterfly dreaming that I am Chuang Tzu?""

my view of this whole business is as follows. It is the night of 4 June 1975. When I wake up I will vote for the first time in my life, as I only turned 18 a couple of days ago. I will vote remain, and we will become Europeans forever, have a cafe culture, and nibble olives instead of drinking Brook Bond tea in the Tudor Tea Rooms and eating Walls pork pies that are full of gristle and disgusting jelly.

 

 

Avatar
bigmoose | 5 years ago
5 likes

Follow the money. Every time. Tells you everything you need to know. Which is often creepy, corrupt stuff like this.

Avatar
dobbo996 | 5 years ago
5 likes

Seriously dodgy shit indeed and blatant manipulation. As you say, nothing will come of this report. Crosby and Canary Wharf Group are well-connected and therefore untouchable.

Avatar
OldRidgeback | 5 years ago
3 likes

More lying from a chum of Boris Johnson, why should we be surprised?

Avatar
EddyBerckx | 5 years ago
4 likes

Seriously dodgy shit.

Nothing will come of this. Money + power....

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