We received the following email from Gareth Knight, Conservative party candidate for Canning Town South, which was originally sent direct to LCC.
Hi, I am a candidate in Canning Town South in Newham and I’ve just seen your website.
Firstly, my twitter handle is @GarethKnight and I’m more than happy for your members to contact me.
Secondly, I support your calls for dedicated cycle lanes on the Lower Lea Crossing and Silvertown Viaduct.Â
Finally, I would go far further than this and support a wholesale strategy to encourage residents in my ward to commute to Canary Wharf by bike, relieving pressure on the DLR and Jubilee Lines, including:
-secure cycle parking serving the developments on Western Gateway and Seagull Lane and the new developments off Hallsville Road;
-secure cycle parking for all new developments in the Canning Town area to be built as they are constructed;
-bike racks and cycle lanes on Western Gateway serving local shops, restaurants, the Emirates Air Line and the ExCel centre;
-the introduction of “Boris Bikes” to the Royal Docks area (they currently stop before they reach Newham);
-a cyclist hotline where reports of potholes, dangerous roads and dangerous drivers can be made so action can be taken quickly;
-mandatory cycle proficiency training for all local primary school children;
-an offer for adults to receive cycle proficiency training to increase confidence in cycling on London roads and reminders of the highway code as far as it affects cyclists.
I would actively encourage any of my colleagues on the council to identify similar opportunities to promote cycling in their wards, most notably around the Royal Docks and Olympic Park.
Newham has one of the worst reputations of any borough in London when it comes to being cycle-unfriendly and if elected, I would want to substantially shift that reputation as far as my ward is concerned.
I hope that explains my position!
Kind regards
Gareth Knight