WANSTEAD: Councillors back bike route favoured by cyclists (From East London and West Essex Guardian Series)

WANSTEAD: Councillors back bike route favoured by cyclists

12:41pm Wednesday 3rd February 2010 in

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PLANNING for the final section of a major cycle route took another twist last night (Tuesday) after councillors backed the location favoured by bike riders.

Most members of Area Seven committee (Cranbrook, Newbury and Valentines wards)lent their support to 'route A' during a meeting yesterday evening - one of three proposals for connecting the Roding Valley Way from Redbridge Roundabout to Empress Avenue in Aldersbrook.

Their backing comes after councillor's in Area One opted for routes B and C instead during a meeting last week - as a concession to residents in Royston Gardens, Wanstead, who complained that route A would compromise their security by running behind their houses.

Route A is favoured by members of the Redbridge branch of the London Cycling Campaign (LCC) and was backed by half of those who responded to a public consultation on the plan.

The LCC claim routes B and C - which run close to the busy A406 - would be unpleasant for riders and put them at risk.

LCC members Gill James was at last night's meeting.

She said: "we are pleased Area Seven went for route A.

"It is the route we want and got the most support in the consultation.

"There was a long discussion about it (at the meeting) but they went for route A with the proviso that some kind of fence be put up at the back of the properties in Royston Gardens to protect them."

Council officers will now look in more detail at routes A and C before reporting back to the two area committees with their findings.