London's cyclists miss out on £41 million as Conservatives refuse to back budget amendment

Conservative London Assembly Members have refused to back a motion proposed by the Green Party’s Jenny Jones that would have seen £41 million added to cash available for cycling in the capital. Ms Jones has described it as “a great opportunity missed.”

As we reported last week, the proposed amendment to Mayor Boris Johnson’s budget would have taken spend on cycling in London to 2 per cent of Transport for London’s budget, in line with the proportion of journeys made by bicycle in the city.

London Cycling Campaign had urged Londoners to write to their Assembly Members to lobby them to back the motion, with more than 20,000 people doing so.

Ms Jones said on Twitter this morning: “Can't get the amendment thru to fund #cycling properly. Tories pretend sympathy but won't vote for it.

“We cld have done all the amendments in 4 mins. @MayorWatch Propose, 2nd, move to a vote.

“Assembly Tories all voted against #cycling amendment. Cld have made a difference.

“A great opportunity missed ...”

Green Party press officer Ian Wingrove added: “Conservatives on cycling budget "not saying never" Willing to work on future schemes even if they go "beyond" the Mayors budget.”

The motion, which would have taken total spend on cycling in the coming financial year to £145 million, had the backing of Labour, Liberal Democrat and Green Assembly Members, who together hold 16 of the 25 seats.

However, a majority of two thirds – 17 members – is required for a motion seeking to amend the mayor’s budget to be passed.

The motion was one of a number of proposed changes to the budget tabled this morning, none of which was passed.

Spectator contributing editor and Guido Fawkes blogger Harry Cole took to Twitter to ask the London Assembly Labour group, which holds 12 seats, “So you screwed this morning up?”

Jumping in to reply, Ms Jones said: “We failed @MrHarryCole But that doesn't mean we screwed up. It's Boris who's screwing Londoners.”