Richard Bourne of Transport 2000 came into see me and have a chat about my intentions with the Committee for the next year and to brief me on Transport 2000’s take on this. Obviously, Richard is very keen on the so called ‘soft measures’ which include cycling and walking. I do my best on these (I am very keen on individualised travel plans myself) but flag up to him what I believe to be the real reason that cycling and walking are not getting their fair share of the booty – no one at Transport for London (in a really high-up position) champions those modes. They don’t really care about them. The right words are in the Mayor’s transport strategy but the budgets and the speed of progress show the true situation – bottom of the list. The TfL boys only really like the boys toys………

War appears to have broken out in Alexandra ward in Haringey about the money I secured from Transport for London (£100,000) which is to be spent mitigating the rat-running following their implementation of traffic lights on Colney Hatch Lane which coincided with a disastrous decision by the local Labour Council to close off Grosvenor Road. Residents have spent two years agreeing two options to go forward to an agreed area for consultation. One of the options closes further roads – the other is for general traffic calming but no closures. Some local residents have organised a public meeting to raise the ante on this.

There was a lot of heated temper in the room where three hundred had gathered – traffic measures always have a high attendance. I am not personally in favour of road closures – particularly when they are sticking plaster rather than holistic solutions – and the feeling of the room was for Option 1 – the calming. However, the organisers were

encouraging residents to vote against both – which although fine in principal – may result in the anti closure vote being split. That is also an option – which will send Haringey back to the drawing board – which is fine unless TfL withdraw the money as it has been on the table for nearly three years now.

I think the residents should now be left alone to vote as they see fit on the options on offer. The options are a long way from perfect, but there are two real problems. Firstly, Haringey Labour have refused to put any money into the project, only the TfL money is on the table and it isn’t enough to do a really good job. Secondly, there are just too many cars, used too often and going too fast – which is why I spend so much of my time campaigning for better public transport – it’s the only way we will ever get people out of their cars. If they haven’t got a viable alternative – they have no other choice.

Meeting with my new Vice-Chair of Transport Committee, Roger Evans. I think he will be more helpful as my Vice-Chair than his predecessor who never turned up to a ‘Chair’s Planning Meeting’ except once last year – to make trouble. We discuss some priorities for the Committee for the year – obvious ones like PPP not working (understatement!), Congestion Charging and holding Transport for London to account. I have my own list of other scrutinies I want to do – but will also seek suggestions from all of the committee members and the public. Good ideas are always welcome.