Cars RECLAIM Kensington High Street cycle lane

Cars today reclaimed a loathed west London cycle lane after bollards were removed following a backlash from drivers and local businesses. 

Workmen finished ripping out the plastic barriers on Kensington High Street this weekend, despite progress being disrupted last week when XR supporters glued themselves to their van. 

The cycle lane became the unlikely battleground in the row between cycling zealots and drivers angry about congestion. 

Greeting the news today, Charlie Mullins, CEO of Pimlico Plumbers, told MailOnline: ‘What a great thing they’ve done. It was a total mess-up from day one.

‘It cost thousands to install and caused more congestion and pollution. Traffic has been at a standstill, it’s been a disaster. 

‘It’s about time that businesses stood up for ourselves because things can’t continue like this. The Kensington cycle lane has been causing big delays for our drivers.

‘If the people who need to move around to London for work can’t get in then businesses will shut down.’ 

Hugh Bladon, from the Alliance of British Drivers, said: ‘This is excellent news. We’ve got nothing against making cycling safe but reducing road space so even emergency vehicles can’t get through is just monstrously stupid.’  

Workmen finished ripping out the plastic barriers on Kensington High Street this weekend. Today drivers were seen using the lane on the eastbound route 

The lane as it appeared before the bollards were removed following a backlash from drivers and local businesses

The lane as it appeared before the bollards were removed following a backlash from drivers and local businesses 

On Saturday, the row took a bizarre turn when it was revealed that Boris Johnson’s £95,000-a-year cycling tsar told the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea not to rip out the lane – and even pledged to send his boss along to be pictured riding down it.

Andrew Gilligan made the outlandish offer as he desperately pleaded with transport chiefs over the Kensington route amid nationwide fury at the new £250 million bike lanes that have caused major congestion and blocked emergency vehicles in traffic across the country.

His move came as Labour’s London Mayor, Sadiq Khan, last week threatened to seize control of the road from the Tory-controlled local authority, reinstate the lane and force council chiefs to repay the £300,000 of public money used to put it there in the first place.

Meanwhile, Nigel Farage has vowed to field candidates against every councillor who backs Boris Johnson‘s ‘green roads’ push. 

The Brexiteer lashed out at the £250million ‘covid’ cycle lanes and other ‘trendy’ environmental projects – saying they ‘cannot be justified’ as the economy faces disaster.

Mr Farage insisted Reform UK – the rebranded name of the Brexit Party – will take on all politicians who persist with the schemes in local elections in May. 

And recent reports indicate that the level of a toxic car exhaust pollutant dropped across parts of south London following the scrapping of Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTN).

Low-traffic neighbourhoods make air pollution WORSE, report indicates

The level of a toxic car exhaust pollutant dropped across parts of south London following the scrapping of Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTN), according to a report.

Levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) were higher at 11 south London streets when residential roads were closed and dropped when seven Wandsworth Council schemes were halted, The Telegraph reports.  

Four weeks of analysis revealed in a council review show that pollution levels were higher on main roads where congestion had shot up considerably, often coming to a complete stop during rush hour.  

The borough had brought in seven LTNs in August amid a Government drive to promote walking and cycling following the lockdown

Trials were halted in September because of the ‘impact on access for the emergency services’ and ‘significant and sustained traffic congestion on the main roads was identified, raising concerns about pollution’, according to the 25-page report. 

The report says that the LTNs led to ‘an unexpected and unacceptable outcome that required the council to take the decision to pause, step back and review’ them. 

It comes amid claims that Boris Johnson went ‘ballistic’ in a row over a controversial cycling lane – and his cycling tsar pledged to send the Prime Minister riding down it if council leaders agreed not to remove it.

Levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) were higher at 11 south London streets when residential roads were closed and dropped when seven Wandsworth Council schemes were halted, The Telegraph reports.  

Four weeks of analysis revealed in a council review show that pollution levels were higher on main roads where congestion had shot up considerably, often coming to a complete stop during rush hour.  

The borough had brought in seven LTNs in August amid a Government drive to promote walking and cycling following the lockdown

Trials were halted in September because of the ‘impact on access for the emergency services’ and ‘significant and sustained traffic congestion on the main roads was identified, raising concerns about pollution’, according to the 25-page report. 

The report says that the LTNs led to ‘an unexpected and unacceptable outcome that required the council to take the decision to pause, step back and review’ them.  

The row over the removal of the bollards in High Street Kensington has triggered an almighty political row. 

London Mayor Mr Khan was expected to apply to convert the busy West London road into a ‘red route’, which would wrestle its management from the Tory local authority and hand it to Transport for London, which he runs from City Hall. 

Under section 14B of the Highways Act 1980, the Mayor can direct that Transport for London take control of any road ‘where expedient’. 

But in an open letter, Kensington councillor Johnny Thalassites warned: ‘Threatening us with legal action or financial penalties will make no difference to our decision, London boroughs aren’t here to be bullied into submission through sanctions.’  

If Kensington Council objects, the final decision would be made by Transport Secretary Grant Shapps, who has previously blasted Mr Khan for his use of the cycle lane policy in the capital and admitted the scheme has caused problems for drivers.

However, in another twist, former BBC journalist Mr Gilligan claimed in an extraordinary phone call that the Prime Minister had gone ‘ballistic’ after Kensington and Chelsea Council axed the trial scheme after seven weeks, following a petition signed by 3,000 residents. 

A source said: ‘He said the PM is personally interested in the scheme and is going ballistic about it. He said if we keep the lane, he would get Boris to come and do a cycle ride down it.

‘We thought this couldn’t be true, we thought the PM would be more busy than that, but that’s what Gilligan said.’  

The cycle lane became the unlikely battleground in the row between cycling zealots and drivers angry about congestion. Pictured is a car using the former bike lane today

The cycle lane became the unlikely battleground in the row between cycling zealots and drivers angry about congestion. Pictured is a car using the former bike lane today  

The bollards have now been removed, as has the white line marking the lane on the eastbound route - pictured today

The bollards have now been removed, as has the white line marking the lane on the eastbound route – pictured today 

The cycle lane roadmarkings remain in the westbound direction, but are expected to also be removed (picture taken today)

The cycle lane roadmarkings remain in the westbound direction, but are expected to also be removed (picture taken today) 

During an extraordinary phone call, former BBC journalist Andrew Gilligan claimed that the Prime Minister (pictured in July) had gone 'ballistic' after Kensington and Chelsea Council axed the trial scheme after seven weeks, following a petition signed by 3,000 residents

During an extraordinary phone call, former BBC journalist Andrew Gilligan claimed that the Prime Minister (pictured in July) had gone ‘ballistic’ after Kensington and Chelsea Council axed the trial scheme after seven weeks, following a petition signed by 3,000 residents

Extinction Rebellion supporters tried to prevent contractors from removing bollards on High Street Kensington which marked out the pop-up cycle lane during the Covid-19 lockdown

Extinction Rebellion supporters tried to prevent contractors from removing bollards on High Street Kensington which marked out the pop-up cycle lane during the Covid-19 lockdown

Mr Gilligan was previously appointed Cycling Commissioner for London under Boris Johnson’s mayorship in 2013. In 2019, he was appointed transport adviser by Mr Johnson, based in the Downing Street policy unit.[

The Prime Minister’s intervention appears to contradict comments made by his Transport Secretary, adding more confusion to an increasingly bitter row. 

He has previously expressed his support for greener policies – with fiancee Carrie Symonds a noted environmental campaigner.  

The Kensington cycle lane is one of several across the country to be removed. 

Nigel Farage vows to field candidates against EVERY local councillor who backs Boris Johnson’s ‘ridiculous’ push for ‘green roads’ 

Nigel Farage has vowed to field candidates against every councillor who backs Boris Johnson‘s ‘green roads’ push. 

The Brexiteer lashed out at the £250million ‘covid’ cycle lanes and other ‘trendy’ environmental projects – saying they ‘cannot be justified’ as the economy faces disaster.

Mr Farage insisted Reform UK – the rebranded name of the Brexit Party – will take on all politicians who persist with the schemes in local elections in May. 

The intervention comes amid growing frustration with what critics say is an attack on motorists from the government.

Mr Johnson has committed to banning all new sales of diesel and petrol cars by 2030 – apart from some hybrids – despite concerns that it will make driving the ‘privilege of the wealthy’ and technology is not yet ready. 

Over the summer Grant Shapps announced an £250million ’emergency active travel’ fund to widen pedestrian paths, increase cycle facilities and create car-free streets.

However, a survey has found one in four councils dropped road closures and bike lanes after local opposition. 

According to the Sunday Telegraph, levels of nitrogen oxide fumes plummeted in low traffic neighbourhoods in London when road closures were axed.

Wandsworth Council research suggested traffic congestion and pollution was merely being shifted to main roads, which are often closer to poorer neighbourhoods.

Writing in the same newspaper, Mr Farage said: ‘This country simply cannot afford to blow money on trendy ”green” projects like this. 

‘The OBR has forecast that the economy will contract by 11.3 per cent this year while borrowing will reach £394billion – 19 per cent of GDP, the highest level in peacetime history. 

‘I don’t think anybody has really begun to digest what this will mean for Britain’s economic future.’

Mr Farage said the volume of cyclists using many of the new cycle lanes was ‘so low that they cannot be justified’. 

‘In far too many cases, all the lanes and road closures have succeeded in doing is cause traffic jams, therefore increasing pollution and triggering huge frustration in a population that has had about as much as it can take for one year,’ he went on. 

‘Do the councils responsible realise the sheer hatred that their rules and regulations inspire among taxpayers? 

‘Many of the schemes are not just environmentally counterproductive, they are also downright dangerous, preventing ambulances and fire engines from reaching emergencies quickly. 

‘This seems not to have occurred to the ”experts” on whom Mr Shapps allegedly relied when he gave the green light to this ridiculous plan.’

Seizing an opportunity to make political capital, Mr Farage said: ‘My new party will stand candidates against any and every local councillor who backs these new cycle lanes and road closures in next year’s local elections. 

‘If measures to improve the environment really are necessary, they can only be introduced sensibly.’

An analysis by the Telegraph found that more than one in four local authorities involved in the green roads project has scrapped or reduced schemes.

Of the 110 councils listed as having participated in Grant Shapps’ ‘green transport revolution’, 31 have since downscaled. 

The  level of a toxic car exhaust pollutant dropped across parts of south London following the scrapping of Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTN), according to a report.

Levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) were higher at 11 south London streets when residential roads were closed and dropped when seven Wandsworth Council schemes were halted, The Telegraph reports.  

Four weeks of analysis revealed in a council review show that pollution levels were higher on main roads where congestion had shot up considerably, often coming to a complete stop during rush hour.  

The borough had brought in seven LTNs in August amid a Government drive to promote walking and cycling following the lockdown

Trials were halted in September because of the ‘impact on access for the emergency services’ and ‘significant and sustained traffic congestion on the main roads was identified, raising concerns about pollution’, according to the 25-page report. 

Extinction Rebellion activists last week blocked council workers as they tried to remove bollards between traffic and the bike lane.

The Left-wing demonstrators, who infamously disrupted the distribution of UK newspapers including the Mail and the Times in September, glued themselves to a work van which was removing the bollards that have caused weeks of misery for drivers navigating the the west London borough. 

The controversial lanes, which cost more than £300,000 and were installed in a bid to encourage people back to their offices, had sparked uproar among commutes and locals. 

Residents noted the affluent west London borough had subsequently suffered increased congestion and longer bus times. 

People also complained the cyclists were regularly speeding through red lights at pedestrian crossings. 

In a letter, Cllr Thalassites, Lead Member for Planning, Place and The Environment, wrote: ‘Last night, workers from our contractor Conways were forced to halt work on removing the temporary cycle lane from Kensington High Street, by Extinction Rebellion.

‘The action taken will have cost our residents money, was conducted purely in self interest, and was nothing more than another PR stunt.

‘They saw an opportunity for themselves, and decided to hijack a local issue and debate.

‘However, the reason I am writing today is to say I have the utmost respect for the school teachers, families, and commuters who have dedicated themselves to fighting for something they believe in over the last few days, and I respect and admire the way they have done it. Especially when passions are clearly running so high.

‘This is what Londoners do, we welcome free speech and fair debate. But this is also about balance.’ 

Council insiders said they did not want to install the cycle lane in the first place but were coerced into it by Mr Gilligan. 

A source said: ‘We were being forced to do things for which we were being obliterated by our own residents, because No 10 said we will get something worse if we didn’t. We did it because we felt a bit intimidated, and a bit bullied.’

Last night, Mr Gilligan denied bullying or intimidating anyone.

Steve McNamara, of the Licensed Taxi Drivers’ Association, said: ‘It’s become clear to us that some Government Ministers don’t even know the extent of Gilligan’s involvement in these new cycle lanes and there is no one holding him to account.

‘But as a special adviser to the Prime Minister on transport matters, there are only two possibilities: either the PM is aware, and approves of Gilligan’s machinations, or he is unaware of what has gone on. Which is it?’

A former colleague of Mr Johnson at The Spectator magazine, Mr Gilligan served as Cycling Commissioner for London between 2013 and 2016, despite accusations of ‘cronyism’. He was instrumental in rolling out the so-called ‘Boris bikes’ for hire across London.

In 2004, he resigned as a reporter for the BBC – along with its director-general and chairman – after he reported that the Prime Minister at the time, Tony Blair, had ‘sexed up’ a dossier claiming that Iraq dictator Saddam Hussein could fire missiles at Britain in 45 minutes.

Cyclists ride down Kensington High Street in protest of closure of cycle lane, December 1

Cyclists ride down Kensington High Street in protest of closure of cycle lane, December 1

Mr Gilligan quit after the Hutton Inquiry said his claims were ‘unfounded.’

Last night, Labour MP Rupa Huq said: ‘It’s fine for Boris to go cycling, but he has got other more pressing items in his in-tray at the moment, like Brexit and the pandemic.

‘As a regular cyclist, I am up for cycle lanes, but these pop-up ones can be a bit haphazard and disjointed. 

‘A permanent, dedicated and fully segregated network of lanes covering all the major arterial routes is what London needs.’

Policy adviser Andrew Gilligan in January

Policy adviser Andrew Gilligan in January 

Robert Goodwill, a Conservative MP and former Cycling Minister, said: ‘These are decisions that need to be made by local people, not Mr Gilligan in No 10. When some of these schemes were introduced, they were always seen as temporary measures because of lockdown and the fact that people were not using public transport.’

A spokesman for No 10 said he would not comment on whether there had been an offer to have the Prime Minister cycle down Kensington High Street and that Mr Gilligan had ‘no recollection’ of it.

He said: ‘Mr Gilligan had a brief and civil conversation last week with a councillor from the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, in order to ask him to send over the evidence on which the council had acted, which he did.’

He added there was ‘no threat made over funding, nor was the tone of the conversation ‘bullying’ or ‘intimidating’.

The unpopular High Street Kensington scheme, which was introduced in September to get people back to their offices, saw the council receive £313,000 in funding from Transport for London’s Streetspace fund.

Chariots Of Fire actor Havers, who is a local Kensington resident, said after the council’s U-turn: ‘This is a fantastic result that will save lives because ambulances could not get through to reach patients in dire need.

‘It will also cut all that nasty pollution from cars stuck in horrendous traffic jams for hours. I now hope that other councils see sense and do the same. Everybody I speak to is angry about these cycle lanes.’ 

The council said it axed the £300,000 bike lane after scores of complaints from residents, businesses and disability groups

The council said it axed the £300,000 bike lane after scores of complaints from residents, businesses and disability groups

Politicians have also criticised the scheme, with local Tory MP Felicity Buchan and London Assembly member Tony Devenish both declaring they ‘hadn’t worked’ and instead increased congestion.

Will Norman, the Mayor of London’s walking and cycling commissioner said the council had blocked three major safety schemes and he would look to recover the money so it could be spent on other areas in the capital. 

He told the Evening Standard: ‘They eventually agreed to do this [the Kensington scheme] but they are taking it out before it’s even finished. People are dying on these roads. I’m so angry about it. There have been so many collisions and serious injuries that there needs to be a safe route across west London.’  

The backlash comes after the council, which initially opened up the lanes to encourage visitors back to the High Street, said they would remove the lanes following concerns over congestion, bus journey times and loading. 

Action Disability Kensington and Chelsea also raised concerns about taxis and cars being unable to drop passengers off safely at pavements. In a clip posted to Twitter Ms Buchan, the MP for Kensington, said: ‘We’re on the verge of Kensington High Street and we’ve come to see the traffic this morning. 

‘I very much wanted the cycle lane on Kensington High Street to work but unfortunately it just hasn’t.

‘It hasn’t worked for pedestrians, it hasn’t worked for the elderly, it hasn’t worked for the disabled. So very reluctantly, I am asking the council to take out the cycle lane on Kensington High Street.’ 

Who is Andrew Gilligan? 

Andrew Gilligan is a former BBC journalist who in 2003 claimed on the Today programme that the Blair Government had ‘sexed up’ a report to exaggerate Saddam Hussein’s ‘weapons of mass destruction’.

Mr Gilligan left the BBC in 2004 after the outing of biological weapons expert Dr David Kelly as his source on the dossier.

In the ensuing furore Dr Kelly took his own life, prompting the Hutton Inquiry and the resignation of the BBC’s chairman Gavyn Davies, its director-general Greg Dyke, and Mr Gilligan, who was offered a job at The Spectator by then editor Boris Johnson.

Between 2007 and 2009, Mr Gilligan presented a fortnightly programme for Press TV, the Iranian government’s English-language TV channel.

In 2013, Mr Johnson, who had become the Mayor of London, was accused of cronyism when he appointed Mr Gilligan as his Cycling Commissioner.

In 2019, he was appointed transport adviser by Mr Johnson, based in the Downing Street policy unit.

London Assembly Member Mr Devenish added: ‘I’d like to thank our residents and residents’ associations for working with RBKC to actually look at this scheme.

‘It was a good idea but I’m afraid it hasn’t worked. And now we need to take it out as soon as possible.’ 

In a joint statement, the politicians also said: ‘TfL has always placed RBKC under immense pressure to implement a cycleway scheme, and have threatened to take over Borough roads. It is now clear that TfL severely miscalculated the impact of such schemes, which require careful analysis.

‘We would fully encourage RBKC to explore expanding their highly successful Quietways programme, and we note the success of other measures such as on Portobello Road. Anything that is done to promote active travel must be safe, fair, and balanced for all road users, including the elderly, children, and disabled. 

‘We would like to see the cycle lane remain until the end of the current lockdown on December 2. 

‘However, we believe that this scheme needs to be removed swiftly as soon as we exit lockdown, to allow businesses along the High Street a period of unimpeded business, in the run-up to Christmas, and following the very real difficulties they have faced during the coronavirus restrictions. 

‘Kensington High Street is simply not the correct location, and we must act in the interests of our constituents.’   

Speaking on the decision Cllr Johnny Thalassites, Lead Member for Transport, said: ‘The cycle lane was a trial scheme to help those hopping on bikes during lockdowns and encourage shoppers to the High Street. Businesses and residents have told us loud and clear that they believe the experiment has not worked. We are listening.

‘By removing the temporary lanes as lockdown lifts, we hope to help get the High Street moving again and give our local economy the best possible chance of a good December.’

Tom Frost, Chair of Kensington Business Forum, said: ‘We support any project which helps our business community and commend the Council’s efforts to design and implement the temporary cycle lanes so quickly under a government directive.  

‘Like many others, we hoped the initiative would be a success. Unfortunately it has not helped our High Street businesses attract customers at a vital time for them, so it is good news that the lanes will be removed. 

‘As a community we must protect our local business operators and the temporary cycle lanes have given us valuable information for potential future schemes.’

Michael Stone, Chairman of Kensington and Chelsea Chamber of Trade and Commerce, said: ‘The cycle lane in its current form is detrimental to business on Kensington High Street and beyond, and we support its removal. 

‘The pre-Christmas trading period is vital to many businesses and I encourage everyone to stay safe, shop locally, and support your local business comm