MAYOR Ken Livingstone's plan to create cycling "superhighways" in London have been welcomed enthusiastically by leading councillors in Waltham Forest.

Some councils in the capital have complained that Mr Livingstone introduced his new strategy without consulting the boroughs most affected.

But council Leader Clyde Loakes has given his whole-hearted support.

He said: "This is great news. The expansion of cycling and walking will help reduce our impact on climate change and reduce traffic congestion.

"We know Londoners want to walk and cycle more.

"One in two people say that they want to walk for short journeys when they currently use their cars.

"Forty per cent of Londoners have access to a bike, but currently only one in eight use it regularly."

He went on: "With the introduction of a central London bike hire scheme with over 6,000 bikes allocated every 300 metres, cycling will be accessible to many more Londoners and will become a fully-funded part of the public transport network for the first time."

Cllr Richard Sweden said: "With growing concern over childhood obesity, schemes like this could make a radical change to the future of Londoners' health."