Lord Berkeleyasked Her Majesty's Government:
In respect of the six-week closure of the cycleway alongside Constitution Hill, what risk assessment was made of the danger to cyclists of having to use the main carriageway; why no alternative routes have been provided; what steps are being taken to restrict the speed of traffic during this period; and whether consideration was given to offering incentives to contractors in order to complete the resurfacing of this cycleway in fewer than six weeks. [HL2395]
§ Lord McIntosh of HaringeyConstitution Hill and the off-road cycle track that runs alongside it in Green Park are the responsibility of the Royal Parks.
In the period during which the cycle track is being widened, cyclists will be expected to dismount or to cycle on the road. Many cyclists use the road even when the cycle track is available for use. The speed limit on the road is 30 mph. In the circumstances, it was not considered necessary to provide an alternative off-road cycle route for the period of the resurfacing works, nor to reduce the speed limit on the road any further.
The work on the cycle track is being carried out by Westminster City Council and paid for by a grant from Transport for London. The Royal Parks has not considered offering incentives to contractors in order to complete the works in fewer than six weeks.