West Berkshire Council hits back at poor cycling response claims

The comments follow allegations made recently that West Berkshire councillors had not responded to correspondence from the group urging them to commit to increased spending on cyclists.
Following the 47 letters that were sent to councillors at West Berkshire only Tony Vickers and Alan Macro have so far responded and signed up to the campaign.
On pledging his support Mr Macro wrote: “We really must do more to provide segregated cycling lanes so that people can cycle safely and confidently.”
Spokesperson for West Berkshire Council Peta Stoddart-Crompton said: “It is difficult for the council to respond to a call to increased spending on cycling when significant savings have to be made across all council services.”
“However, the council continues to support cycling related projects and teams up with partners wherever possible to maximise funding opportunities.”
The council would not provide specific details as to how it would address a government report issued last year that called for increased spending on cyclists to ten pounds per head.
However, a number of schemes are offered in attempting to address this shortfall such as the Urban Limits cycle safety event held July 22 and a cycle training scheme for children. The council are also implementing a bike hire scheme to be launched tomorrow (Tuesday).
As a method to help alleviate congestion in West Berkshire “cycling can certainly play a part” the council said. “We are always looking for opportunities to bid for funding to help to improve facilities for cyclists where our own funding cannot deliver all that we would want.”
Previously local resident Ed Burgess had successfully campaigned for the council to start using two variable message signs to display warnings to cyclists. Cycling charity Spokes, however, said that these signs are not the right solution.
The signs “attempt to tackle the symptom rather than the cause of the problem” said Gordon Oliver from the cycling charity.
“We feel that it would be far better to create cycle bypasses for these features, or to come up with a completely different design that does not place cyclists and motor vehicles into direct conflict.
“We would be more than happy to work with West Berkshire Council to come up with an effective solution and will raise this at the next Cycle Forum”.
According to the Local Transport Plan for West Berkshire cycling use is lower than it could be as a result of a lack of safe cycle routes, infrastructure and inadequate parking facilities.
The document also says that the cost benefits of cycling initiatives are often “undervalued” and these “could play an important part in providing value for money schemes”, including added benefits to health and general well-being.