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Sir Keir Starmer backs segregated cycle lanes and says “pushback” tends to be short-lived

“There is always a pushback and then it settles down”

Sir Keir Starmer has said he is “supportive” of segregated cycle lanes, arguing that while there is always, “a degree of pushback,” the public generally accepts such measures eventually.

Camden Council is currently planning segregated cycle lanes on both sides of Haverstock Hill between Prince of Wales Road and the Royal Free Hospital.

This has brought predictable opposition from some local business-owners and several councillors, while cycling groups and the Royal Free Hospital have backed the plans.

The route lies within Starmer’s Holborn and St Pancras constituency.

Commenting on the scheme to Ham&High, the Labour leader acknowledged that not everyone was in favour, but expressed optimism that it would ultimately be accepted.

“Look, there’s mixed views. This has been filling up our email inbox,” he said. “I’m supportive of the schemes. I think that whenever they are introduced, they always cause a degree of pushback and then they settle down.

“We have to look at this – the council have to keep a careful eye on it – but since I’ve been an MP, for five years now, there’ve been a number of different schemes introduced. There is always a pushback and then it settles down. So let’s watch this one.”

Earlier this month, a government survey found that 65% of people in England support reallocating road space to cycling and walking in their local area, while separate research also found majority support for the capital’s low traffic neighbourhoods (LTNs) with only 19% of Londoners opposing them.

Experts have said that it is often a vocal minority who are fighting new cycling infrastructure.

Last month Starmer knocked a cyclist over in Kentish Town while performing a U-turn in his SUV.

The 58-year-old politician exchanged details with the cyclist, who needed hospital treatment for his injuries.

Starmer subsequently visited Kentish Town police station to give a statement to the Metropolitan Police, who are investigating the incident.

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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10 comments

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Bungle_52 | 3 years ago
1 like

If only the people who removed cycle lanes a few days after installing them would listen to Kier Stalmer we may have a chance.

By the way, his head is so big to accomodate his brain, most polititians don't suffer from this problem.

Avatar
RTB replied to Bungle_52 | 3 years ago
2 likes

Bungle_52 wrote:

By the way, his head is so big to accomodate his brain, most polititians don't suffer from this problem.

Including Starmer btw; no different, every bit as hypocritical and cynical, and another inevitable loser.  Perhaps his interest in this cycling initiative is to help him avoid punting any more cyclists in his 4x4.

Avatar
MarsFlyer | 3 years ago
10 likes

My local council Camden, are doing a good job with new infrastructure. It's nice to know that I don't need to hassle Kier asking for his support, as he's got plenty of other challenges holding the government to account.

BTW, I will be one of the residents to lose the parking spaces outside my house, however I am all for the change. The new lanes will be so much safer for cyclists going up the hill, and encourage active travel for the people of Belsize Park and Hampstead.

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ktache replied to MarsFlyer | 3 years ago
3 likes

Thank you Mars, but a little question, is it "your" parking space or is it merely a parking space that happens to be outside your house?

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BIRMINGHAMisaDUMP replied to ktache | 3 years ago
0 likes

Fair point. I do know that the whole of Camden is a CPZ so MarzFlyer will pay to park in Camden. So perhaps MarsFlyer means he / she is giving up their permit? 

Camden has installed some great infrastructure in the past six months. 

Avatar
MarsFlyer replied to ktache | 3 years ago
1 like

ktache wrote:

Thank you Mars, but a little question, is it "your" parking space or is it merely a parking space that happens to be outside your house?

I didn't say it was "my" parking space, but they are the parking spaces that are outside my home. I pay a parking permit for my small car for the CA-B CPZ and am not giving up my permit. I generally park on the side road and ever since this scheme has been announced, make a point of never using the spaces on the main road. One change that I have proposed to the councillors is to add a loading only space at the end of each side road, as the last thing that I want is inevitable delivery vehicles parking into the cycle lane.

Avatar
Sriracha | 3 years ago
2 likes

Well, if he can run the country as well, that gets my vote. But I don't understand why his head looks so large in that stock photo.

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Captain Badger replied to Sriracha | 3 years ago
5 likes

Sriracha wrote:

Well, if he can run the country as well, that gets my vote. But I don't understand why his head looks so large in that stock photo.

This body is very small, but this one is faaaar awaaay,

 

Aaah forget it Dougal!

Avatar
RTB replied to Sriracha | 3 years ago
1 like

Sriracha wrote:

Well, if he can run the country as well, that gets my vote. But I don't understand why his head looks so large in that stock photo.

Heaven forbid, have you seen some of mentally challenged lunks sitting behind him.  Gawd 'elp us.  Think the current lot are bad, and they are, just imagine how much lower it would all sink.

Add some strings to that photo and stick him in Thunderbirds or Stingray.

Avatar
Eton Rifle replied to RTB | 3 years ago
7 likes
RTB wrote:

Sriracha wrote:

Well, if he can run the country as well, that gets my vote. But I don't understand why his head looks so large in that stock photo.

Heaven forbid, have you seen some of mentally challenged lunks sitting behind him.  Gawd 'elp us.  Think the current lot are bad, and they are, just imagine how much lower it would all sink.

Add some strings to that photo and stick him in Thunderbirds or Stingray.

Hmm, let's see.
Public debt at almost unprecedented level, despite a decade of austerity.
Staring down the barrel of a No Deal Brexshit.
Intending to break international law.
Trade deal with Japan that's worse than the one we would have had as an EU member.
Bungled pandemic response.
Billions of public money shovelled into the pockets of cronies.
Jenrick corruptly assisting property developers.
Williamson ballsing up last year's A-levels.
£21bn spaffed on Defence yet refused to feed schoolkids until shamed into it.
Rapist Tory MP still allowed to vote remotely.
Spad breaks lockdown rules, yet doesn't get fired.
£12bn spaffed on track and trace system that doesn't work.
And now an incompetent, bullying Home Secretary being protected.

But yes, do explain how all this would be SO much worse under Labour...

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