Southwark pours green paint on Boris’s blue cycle superhighway

Last month we reported that the Mayor's proposed 'cycle superhighway' between South Wimbledon and the City of London would include a section in SE1 between Elephant & Castle and Southwark Bridge.

The first two 'superhighways' – in reality an upgrade of existing cycle routes – are due to be completed by next May.

The scheme includes an upgrade to the western cycle bypass at the Elephant & Castle as well as new blue markings on Southwark Bridge Road.

The move to divert funding from other cycling projects has not been universally welcomed by cycling organisations.

Southwark to Boris: We don't want your blue paint on our roads

Southwark Council has criticised the Mayor's plan to paint the new routes blue rather than the usual green and has vowed to press Transport for London to change its plans.

Backbench Lib Dem councillor Richard Thomas tabled a question at last week's Council Assembly asking for confirmation that the council would not be implenting "Boris's recent whizzy idea of blue cycle lanes".

"The London Cycle Network is currently a green route and is in line with the national cycle highways scheme," says Cllr Paul Kyriacou, Southwark's executive member for environment.

"My view is that we should stick with this so as not to confuse cyclists and other road users by using blue.

"Instead Transport for London should be looking to enhance the current cycling infrastructure.

"I will be having further discussions with Transport for London to express my concern with the implementation of blue cycle lanes as it is not something I want to see on any of our roads."