WHEN bus and bike lanes make these ways of travel safer and quicker, valuable road space is freed up for remaining vehicles, especially ambulances and other emergency services.

Sadly, last summers’ pictures of congestion being blamed on cycle lanes were very misleading.

This was because the London cycle lanes don’t join up across different boroughs, so it can be hard to plan an entire safe journey.

Also, during the height of the pandemic, many Londoners were avoiding public transport and driving, which was the reason for the congestion. Even with these limitations, traffic counts several months on are showing big improvements from these schemes.

Meanwhile, down on the south coast, our three towns of Bournemouth Christchurch and Poole, with Poole leading the way on cycle improvements, have been able to bid successfully through being one council for money to upgrade routes right across the area to make walking cycling and bus use better safer options.

The very successful improvement of Poole Quay this summer has worked so well because ambulances etc can still come in and out of the road at one end, as is usual in most low traffic neighbourhoods.

As can be seen from Google Maps, properties there have rear access as well, so have the best of both worlds with deliveries and taxi access at the rear, and a lovely motor traffic free area at the front for customers. Those arriving by car have the multi-storey car park available.

I would urge everyone who has now had a chance to see how well the cycling and walking improvements are working that were brought in by BCP council, whether by the Unity Alliance or the current Conservative administration, to show your support in the upcoming local council elections.

Whoever is making decisions in the future needs to know that a cleaner greener future, with emptier, more efficient roads for everyone, including the remaining drivers, is an important vote winner.

SUSAN STOCKWELL
Britannia Road, Poole