Here at RCC our engagement with the council tends to be:

• Responding to consultations on proposed cycle infrastructure schemes and, if they affect cyclists, road safety traffic schemes.
• Pushing for more and better cycling infrastructure.

It’s hard work but someone’s got to do it.  

But this is not the only way to get things done …Councils take seriously and respond to proposals put forward by groups of residents.  It’s all well and good for a London Borough Cycling Campaign to ask the Council to create an LTN or instal Anti Rat Run measures on the ‘Plagued by Through Traffic Estate’ to reduce through traffic, make crossings safer for children on their way to school and the streets generally more cycling and waking friendly (it would, wouldn’t it).  It’s another matter, though, if the residents of the Plagued by Through Traffic Estate ask for these things themselves.  And it’s even better if the residents can enlist the support of their local councillors, an important part of whose role is to represent the wishes of their constituents. 

Does any of this apply to Redbridge?  We think it might. We think we have come across a road safety scheme (a new crossing of a busy road) that was developed in response to local demand (a petition and lobbying of Councillors).  To their credit, council officers, when working up the scheme, saw and took the opportunity to incorporate some new and useful cycle infrastructure.

So, it might be that your street WhatsApp group, your school gate friends or your fellow football parents, think something should be done to make things better and safer for cycling and walking in your area.  If so, why not have a go at approaching the Council?  Officers and Councillors might well agree with you and the Councillors will certainly want your votes.  If you do decide to have a go and if there is anything we can do to help, we will.  For example, we might be able to tell you what other Councils in other parts of London have done in similar situations.

As ever we can be contacted by email and here’s the link to how run a petition
https://www.redbridge.gov.uk/about-the-council/petitions/