We're calling on Merton Council to develop an Active Travel Network and Delivery Plan for the Borough in the first 12 months and implement the top five highest priority interventions to the highest standards by 2026.
2022-2026 is a vital stage in London’s zero-carbon journey. Motor vehicles are the largest and most stubborn source of London’s emissions, and borough councils control 95% of the city’s roads. We need all our councils to act in the next four years and be bold – or it’ll be too late to get to zero carbon roads by 2030. That’s what’s needed for London and Merton to do their bit.
That’s why we developed specific, personalised asks for each London borough council in the 2022 council elections to cut road transport emissions fast and enable lots more walking, cycling and wheeling.
Find out how they’re doing…
Checking in on London borough council progress in 2023 - how well are London's boroughs doing to progress Climate Safe Streets? Find Merton's results.
ASK 1. Active Travel Network
We're calling on Merton Council to develop an Active Travel Network and Delivery Plan for the Borough in the first 12 months and implement the top five highest priority interventions to the highest standards by 2026.
ASK 2. Low Traffic Neighbourhoods
We're calling on Merton Council to make 75% of suitable residential areas in the borough safer and more appealing for walking and cycling.
ASK 3. Safe Junctions
We're calling on Merton to improve at least five of the most dangerous junctions in the borough to high standards, provide pedestrian signals at all signalised junctions and improve facilities for pedestrians to cross the road where there are strong desire lines or existing safety risks.
ASK 4. Sustainable Freight
We're calling on Merton to tackle high levels of congestion and HGV movements in the borough by cutting freight motor vehicle movements by at least 10% and rapidly rolling out shared mobility points.
ASK 5. Secure Cycle Parking
We're calling on Merton to make it easier and cheaper to park a cycle than it is to park a car everywhere in the borough.
Pledged
Since 2018 we have implemented several measures to promote active travel including the introduction of 28 school streets, four further permanent low traffic neighbourhoods, giving Merton the second highest number in Outer London if we include historic ones. Many of our communities see first-hand the benefit they bring, reducing traffic and making them more friendly for pedestrians and cyclists. We will work to develop active travel plans alongside resident and transport groups, building the evidence base to undertake further measures, also using the 68 Breathe London air quality sensors and Vicacity digital sensors across the borough. Read more.
Pledged
We must take the climate emergency seriously.
The leadership of Merton’s Council needs to show courage, energy and the willingness to do things differently. And if things don’t work, it must be honest, listen to what went wrong and then act.
Ultimately, we want an open, competent and caring Council – one focused on winning both hearts and minds to its proposals and measuring the effectiveness of its actions.
In our manifesto, the Climate Emergency and Pollution is one of the 4 key challenges for any Council.
We believe that our manifesto is consistent with LCC’s asks. We hope you agree.
Statement provided
Conservatives have championed improvements to our local walking and cycling infrastructure in our last few budgets, however, the ruling Labour party did not share our concerns and our proposals were voted down.
A future Conservative administration will focus on new, safe, walking and cycling routes in Merton as part of our commitment to active travel. We will review safety for all road users and look at how our transport network can be improved to make it safer for everyone.
Much of the HGV movements in the borough is across A roads that are controlled by TfL, we know that this is an ongoing problem in many areas of Merton and we will work with other London boroughs and lobby the Mayor of London for improvements that help residents in their daily life.
Did they pledge?
Cllr Mark Allison, Merton Labour Party (won)
Merton Green Party
Cllr Anthony Fairclough, Merton Liberal Democrats
Merton Park Ward Independent Residents
Merton Conservative Party
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Council and climate
PDF document with the council's climate plans & what we're asking the next leader to do in more detail.
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Merton Cycling Campaign group's website and contact details.
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