Ealing Council's Bike Hangar Rollout 'Inadequate, Belated'
Lib Dem opposition calls for a more 'fair and equitable' deployment
Cllr Gary Malcolm in front of a bike hangar on Valetta Road in Acton
September 6, 2024
The Liberal Democrat opposition has voiced criticism of Ealing Council’s deployment of bike hangars across the borough.
Letters have been sent out advising residents of the latest round of installations which may mean to a loss of parking spaces in some Controlled Parking Zones.
The opposition support the continued increase in provision of hangars as a way of encouraging carbon free travel but believes that the rollout is too slow.
In some wards including Southfield, demand for hangar slots significantly outstrips available supply.
Ealing Council installed its 100th bike hanger this March and has a target of reaching 150 by 2026. However, demand remains high, with over 2,600 residents on a waiting list and the Lib Dems want to see the process speeded up.
The council has committed to installing several new hangars in the coming months and has made these facilities affordable, charging only 70p per month, the lowest rate in London.
Councillor Gary Malcolm, Leader of the Opposition and Transport said, “Liberal Democrats say this shows Ealing Labour’s haphazard approach to encouraging more cyclists through inadequate, belated deployment of bike hangers in a random ad hoc way. Liberal Democrats want to see more bike hangers rolled out across the borough in a fair and equitable approach, assessing both the needs and importantly where the demand is taking place.”
An Ealing Council spokesperson said, “Giving residents somewhere affordable and safe to store their bikes is a key part of the council’s commitment to encouraging active travel, which is healthier and better for the environment. We have more than doubled the number of bike hangars across the borough in the past two years. We are well on the way to meeting our target to installing an additonal 150 hangars by 2026. A space in a hangar costs just 70p a month, which is by far the cheapest in London.
“The hangars are popular with residents and have all been suggested by the community. We are currently consulting communities on proposals for a further 25 hangars, to be installed over the coming months. We will continue to work with residents to increase the number of bike hangars and encourage active travel.”
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