Lib Dem Transport Proposals Will Benefit Royal Borough Says Kingsley

12.00.00am GMT Mon 15th Dec 2003

Jennifer Kingsley, Liberal Democrat councillor for Kensington and Chelsea, today welcomed the publication by Mayoral candidate Simon Hughes of his Transport Policy Paper.

The Paper contains a range of transport pledges for the whole of London to be implemented under a Hughes mayoralty.

Cllr. Kingsley said:

"Simon's plans for London are good news for the Royal Borough and should finally provide us with the kind of joined-up thinking on transport that has been lacking for so long."

On the plan by Mr. Hughes to implement better signage on key walking routes, Jennifer Kingsley commented:

"Kensington and Chelsea should be a paradise for people on foot. We have some of the capital's most famous sights and landmarks, and a rich and varied cultural identity. However, too many people are not confident enough to explore the best that the borough has to offer.

"Simon will fund our borough to make walking a pleasure and free up public transport from the burden of carrying so many very short journeys."

Cllr. Kingsley welcomed the plan by Mr. Hughes to improve the facilities for cyclists, saying:

"As a keen cyclist myself, I am pleased that the Liberal Democrats would implement more secure covered cycle racks in key locations such as railway stations. A standardisation of racks and locking facilities will take the guess work out of everyday journeys, and improved central London cycle routes with colour-coded signage will benefit the many residents of Kensington and Chelsea who use this environmentally-friendly form of transport."

Responding to the announcement by Mr. Hughes that he would use satellite technology to improve service information and management of bus fleets, Cllr. Kingsley said:

"The Liberal Democrat plans are coherent because we believe in using Brighton-style satellite technology for both easing car congestion and improving bus transport.

"A huge number of key bus routes run through our borough, but too many people are left waiting at the bus stop, relying upon inaccurate information on the 'Countdown' screens.

"Simon's plans for satellite positioning technology would mean accurate real-time information at bus stops and an end to the 'why do three buses come a long at once' syndrome."

"The Lib Dems would also implement reliable automatic announcement systems on-board to help bus passengers identify each stop."

Welcoming Simon Hughes' announcement that he would extend late night running on the London Underground on certain days of the week, Cllr. Kingsley commented:

"It makes perfect sense to run the tube until 2am on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. Currently, people rush out of our Borough's bars at the same time in order to catch the last tube home. The result is that for about one hour, our narrow streets are filled with noisy merry makers, causing distress to those who are enjoying a quiet night. Allowing people to slow down and enjoy themselves without the hassle of missing their train, should ease this problem enormously.

"In addition, the news that Simon would place police on trains and stations at night must be a source of comfort for the many residents who feel unsafe and intimated when travelling home late."

Responding to Simon's plans for motorists, Cllr. Kingsley said:

"Simon has demonstrated that the Liberal Democrats in London are not anti-motorist. Our entire approach to transport is to be anti nobody, however you choose to make your journey in the capital.

"As Mayor, Simon would review all bus lanes in order to revise hours of operation where necessary so as not to unnecessarily irritate other road-users. Scrapping the penalties that motorists currently receive simply for wishing to turn left or right is another welcome move."

Concluding, Cllr. Kingsley said:

"Any transport policy for London is going to be incredibly important to the quality of life in our borough. I am delighted that our party is consistently thinking ahead of the rest, and are unafraid to combine common-sense measures with radical thinking in order to improve the transport experience for thousands upon thousands of local residents."