Labour Party sign up to #ClimateSafeStreets Pledges

The Labour Party have signed up to our #ClimateSafeStreets pledges to take bold action to get to zero carbon roads by 2030. Check out current Cabinet member for Housing, Regeneration, and the Climate Emergency, Martin Whelton explaining why encouraging more walking and cycling is a key part of the Labour Party's plans to tackle climate change. 

Find out more about the measures that will cut road transport emissions fast and enable lots more walking, and cycling and email the other candidates here: https://lcc.org.uk/campaigns/climate-safe-streets-merton/

And here's what he had to say about the pledges:

"Over the past four years we have implemented several measures to actively promote active travel including the introduction of 28 school streets, four further permanent low traffic neighbourhoods which sees Merton having the second highest number at 34% in Outer London if we include historic ones. Many of our communities see first-hand the benefit they bring in reducing traffic and making them more friendly for pedestrians and cyclists. We will work further in developing active travel plans working alongside resident and transport groups and building the evidence base to undertake further measures, but also using the 68 Breathe London air quality sensors and Vicacity digital sensors which is the highest number in London.

Currently much of our funding for implementing measures comes from Transport for London which has been impacted due to their budgetary issues. We will look to use Community Infrastructure Levies, S106 along with using funds generated from  traffic fines on measures that improve the safety of pedestrians and cyclists.

In terms of junctions, we have seen some improvements to made to our most dangerous ones, we will look to work to tackle other ones subject to funding. We will also look to work with Transport for London who are responsible for traffic signals

We have seen already the first 19 bicycle sheds and subject to funding we will look to introduce more across Merton at a cost which is both reasonable and fair. The cost is already below many other London boroughs but we do recognise their popularity and the need for more to be introduced.

Tackling HGVs and freight movement requires a co-ordinated approach across London boroughs and we will look at working with London Councils and Tfl on ways we can reduce movements and promote shared mobility points."

 

Liberal Democrats sign up to #ClimateSafeStreets Pledges

The Merton Liberal Democrats have signed up to our #ClimateSafeStreets pledges to take bold action to get to zero carbon roads by 2030. Here's what Cllr Anthony Fairclough had to say about why the Liberal Democrats think that walking and cycling is an important part of tackling the climate emergency: 

 

 

“We must take the climate emergency seriously. The leadership of Merton’s Council needs to show courage, energy and the willingness to do things differently. And if things don’t work, it must be honest, listen to what went wrong and then act.

Ultimately, we want an open, competent and caring Council – one focused on winning both hearts and minds to its proposals and measuring the effectiveness of its actions.

In our manifesto, the Climate Emergency and Pollution is one of the 4 key challenges for any Council.

We believe that our manifesto is consistent with LCC’s asks. We hope you agree.” 

Find out more about the measures that will cut road transport emissions fast and enabling lots more walking, cycling and wheeling here and email the other candidates here: https://lcc.org.uk/campaigns/climate-safe-streets-merton/ 

 

Merton Park Ward Independent Residents (MPWIR) sign up to support #ClimateSafeStreets

The Independent candidates for Merton Park Ward Residents, Stephen Mercer and Ed Foley, have signed up to our #ClimateSafeStreets pledges to take bold action to get to zero carbon roads by 2030. Find out more about the measures that will cut road transport emissions fast and enabling lots more walking, cycling and wheeling here and email the other candidates here: https://lcc.org.uk/campaigns/climate-safe-streets-merton/

Merton Green Party sign up to support #ClimateSafeStreets

The Merton Green Party have signed up to our #ClimateSafeStreets pledges to take bold action to get to zero carbon roads by 2030. Find out more about the measures that will cut road transport emissions fast and enabling lots more walking, cycling and wheeling here and email the other candidates here: https://lcc.org.uk/campaigns/climate-safe-streets-merton/ or watch the video to hear about why the Green Party candidates think walking and cycling is important.

 

Merton needs Climate Safe Streets

We’re calling on the next leader of the council to make an urgent commitment to deliver #ClimateSafeStreets. Please email the candidates for leader today and urge them to play their part in tackling the climate crisis.

2022’s council elections are a vital point in London’s zero-carbon journey. Motor vehicles are the largest and most stubborn source of London’s emissions, and borough councils control 95% of the city’s roads. We need all our councils to act in the next four years and be bold – or it’ll be too late to get to zero carbon roads by 2030. That’s what’s needed for London and Merton to do their bit. That’s why we’re calling on the council’s next leader to commit to cutting road transport emissions fast and enabling lots more walking, cycling and wheeling.

We're asking candidates from the main parties to commit to five things over the course of their term:  

1. Develop an Active Travel Network and Delivery Plan for the Borough in the first 12 months and implement the top five highest priority interventions to the highest standards before 2027.
2. Make 75% of suitable residential areas in the borough safer and more appealing for walking and cycling. 
3. Improve at least 5 of the most dangerous junctions in the borough to high standards, provide pedestrian signals at all signalised junctions and improve facilities for pedestrians to cross the road where there are strong desire lines or existing safety risks.
4. Tackle high levels of congestion and HGV movements in the Borough by  cutting freight motor vehicle movements by at least 10% and Rapidly rolling out shared mobility points.  
5. Make it easier and cheaper to park a cycle than it is to park a car everywhere in the borough.   

Email the candidates  or click to read more about the asks.