Saturday, December 14, 2019

Brent Council Bids For TfL Funding To Make Park Royal Industrial Estate Buses, Walking And Cycling Only.


Brent Council could spend more than £1 million to encourage sustainable transport around an industrial area.

Its cabinet agreed to support a bid for funding from Transport for London (TfL) for works in Park Royal.

If successful, a joint initiative involving Ealing Council and Old Oak Park Royal Development Corporation (OPDC) would promote greener and more efficient travel in the area.

The ‘liveable neighbourhood’ scheme would cost more than £11.5 million, with Brent Council contributing £1.1 million, Ealing Council providing £777,500 and OPDC offering £880,000.

Cllr Shama Tatler, who is responsible for regeneration, property and planning at Brent Council, said she was excited by the prospect of working on "the first industrial liveable neighbourhood".

"This would be the first of its kind to have a successful bid and it will transform the area – traffic flow and air quality will significantly improve," she said.

As someone who works in the area, Cllr Margaret McLennan, deputy leader of Brent Council, said she "completely supports" the proposals.

A cabinet report noted there is currently "poor and perceived unsafe access" within the industrial estate to encourage sustainable travel.

It outlined how most employees commute by car but, with improvements, many journeys could be completed by bus or bike.

According to the council, a liveable neighbourhood project would improve road access and safety at the site, create faster and more reliable public transport systems, install a joined-up cycle network and create more green spaces.

A similar bid for Park Royal was rejected in 2017 on the basis that there was a risk the project could not be completed and there was "insufficient information" about bus network improvements.

In this bid, Brent Council would be the lead local authority – and would manage any money granted by TfL – but it would be primarily delivered by OPDC.

TAXI LEAKS EXTRA BIT: 
After intervention from TfL which includes two virtually unused segregated cycle lanes, a new wider bus lane and a supposed intelligent four way traffic light system... Greenford Road Sudbury Hill now has traffic back ups from the Whitton Avenue, all the way back to the Harrow Road and beyond. 

Traffic gridlock not seen in the area before the so called improvements. It’s as if the planners just don’t have a clue what they are doing and have caused extra congestion resulting in more pollution in the area, defeating any supposed improvements for walking and cycling. 

If TfL continue with these projects, pedestrian and cycling in the area will only be possible with the aid of face masks to protect the public from the toxic air caused by the badly panned traffic changes 

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