Tooting: 111 more bike hangars to be added in borough, but 'thousands more residents waiting'

Over 100 new bike hangar locations have been added in Wandsworth borough, but that is not enough according to a Labour councillor.

Six bicycle spaces are available at each hangar, meaning this move will provide spaces for 666 bicycles across the borough, with 111 set to be added.

All are subject to a final consultation with residents, but if it gets the all-clear, it would more than double the current amount in the borough and take the total of hangars to nearly 170.

However, Earlsfield's Labour councillor Jo Rigby is asking for more. While she is encouraged by the news, she says that Wandsworth borough is playing up and that there are thousands more residents waiting for hangars.

Wandsworth Council's transport spokesman, John Locker, reiterated that the council are keen to support cycling as part of its commitment to tackling climate change.

Where the hangars will go

A big chunk of the new hangars will be appearing in Balham, Tooting and Earlsfield. Below are the areas where you are likely to see the hangars appearing in the future (some locations with more than one hangar).

Balham and Tooting

Broxash Road; Cathles Road; Cavendish Road; Dinsmore Road; Hillier Road; Kyrle Road; Ramsden Road; Ravenswood Road; Shipka Road; Byrne Road; Carminia Road; Dafforne Road; Elmfield Road; Huron Road; Stapleton Road; Fernthorpe Road; Ribblesdale Road; Salterford Road; Avarn Road; Chasefield Road; Franciscan Road; Sellincourt Road; Airedale Road; Boundaries Road; Gosberton Road; Nevis Road; Oakmead Road; Tantallon Road; Brudenell Road; Garratt Terrace; Khartoum Road; Mandrake Road.

Earlsfield

Aldren Road; Atheldene Road; Delia Street; Freshford Street; Littleton Street; Steerforth Street; Tranmere Road; Waldron Road.

Putney, Southfields and Wandsworth

Schubert Road; St John's Avenue; Felsham Road; Norroy Road; Astonville Street; Longfield Street; Merton Road; Penwith Road; Ravensbury Road; Aslet Street; Bucharest Road; Fieldview; Godley Road.

Battersea and Clapham Junction

Vardens Road; Abercrombie Street; Eckstein Road; Gayville Road; Honeywell Road; Leathwaite Road; Kelmscott Road; Mallinson Road; Shelgate Road; Wakehurst Road; Montefiore Street; Queenstown Road; Warriner Gardens; Altenburg Gardens; Fontarabia Road; Forthbridge Road; Gowrie Road; Sugden Road; Jedburgh Street; Trott Street; Thirsk Road.

How much they will cost

The hangars are priced at £72 per year.

They will be prioritised to residents who:

- Live on the street (or adjacent one) where the hangar is provided

- Demonstrate high levels of local support

You can find out more and register interest on the Wandsworth Council website.

'We're in a climate crisis and we need to move faster'

Jo Rigby told Nub News that more needs to be done - and fast. She also claims that other boroughs are ahead of Wandsworth in this regard.

She said: "Wandsworth Tories spent four years trialling two bike hangars, paid for by TfL, to see if they worked; the final report was never published.

"In this time, neighbouring boroughs cracked on with delivering much needed cycle storage to residents, we are now playing catch up.

"We know that lack of cycle storage is crucial in enabling cycling.

"These new hangars are welcome; we still have thousands more residents waiting.

"There are 64 people waiting for a space in the 6 bike hangar on my street - we're in a climate crisis and we need to move faster."

Wandsworth Council's response

Despite Rigby's comments, John Locker, the transport spokesman and councillor for Thamesfield, has said that making it easier for cyclists is a key part of the council's commitment to tackle climate change.

He said: "We've received many requests from residents who want bike hangars in their streets. Having analysed these requests and evaluated suitable locations close to where the demand exists, we have drawn up a list of 74 new locations where we now plan to install hangars, subject to final consultation with residents.

"We are keen to support cycling which is why we have made it easier for people to request hangars via our website. It is especially important for residents who don't have gardens or enough room inside their homes to securely store their bikes.

"Making it easier for local people to switch to two-wheeled transport is a key element of our commitment to tackle climate change which will be at the heart of all town hall policies between now and 2030."

Have a story in Tooting you'd like to share? Get in touch! Email [email protected], call 07557513104 or tweet @TommyJJourno [I]

[I] Find all the latest news from Tooting on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.