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Ealing Council has moved to assure residents that improving the safety of cyclists is among its top priorities.
Campaigners took to the streets on 28 October to voice concerns about the safety of cyclists on Ealing’s roads, following the death of Claudia Manera, who lost her life while travelling on a bike in west Ealing.
The collision, which involved a lorry on Uxbridge Road, is currently under investigation by police with the council’s full support.
Ealing Council leader Cllr Julian Bell and Cllr Bassam Mahfouz, cabinet member for transport, environment and leisure, both attended the protest and say they fully support improving the safety of cyclists in the borough.
As part of Transport for London’s Liveable Neighbourhoods scheme, Ealing Council says it has submitted a bid to make ‘significant improvements to the area’ including road safety and cycling measures.
Ealing’s Cycling Commission is described as the ‘first of its type’ in the country and one of its key recommendations is to improve safety on Uxbridge Road.
Cllr Julian Bell said:
“Every death on our roads is a tragic loss to our community so increasing the safety of the borough’s roads is a top priority for us.
“Last week, on the day of the launch of our traffic-free path along Ruislip Road East, I rode with London’s walking and cycling commissioner, Will Norman to the junction and raised our concerns with him and discussed our bid for Liveable Neighbourhoods funding from TfL.”
Cllr Bassam Mahfouz said:
“I’m deeply saddened by the tragic death of Claudia last week and I send my sincere condolences to her family and friends. It’s very upsetting to know a person enjoying riding their bike has passed away.
“I want Ealing’s roads to be the safest in London and we are doing all we can to achieve this. As a cyclist, I am very aware of how the road design and layout has a big impact on how safe people feel.”
09 November 2017