Potential sites for Boris bikes sparks mixed reception (From Wandsworth Guardian)

Potential sites for Boris bikes in Wandsworth sparks mixed reception

1:00pm Friday 28th September 2012 in News By Alexandra Rucki

Potential sites for Boris bikes in Wandsworth sparks mixed reception

A list of potential sites for Boris Bikes in Wandsworth has sparked angry responses from people who either do or don't want them near their homes.

Yesterday a map was published on the Wandsworth Council website showing where the 60 Barclays Cycle Hire docking stations could be built.

People in Battersea, Putney, Wandsworth Common and Northcote Road areas could all be making use of the bikes when they are built in 2014.

But the announcement has provoked anger from a number of different communities, with some residents objecting to them being installed in their roads while people south of the borough feel they have been neglected.

The sites have yet to be confirmed and a number of public meetings are taking place in a fortnight about the scheme which could cost the cash-strapped council £2m.

Council leader Ravi Govindia said: "It's fantastic to see this exciting project moving forward.

"We've fought long and hard to secure this expansion and we will continue to press for a borough-wide roll out in the months ahead. The job's not finished until every household in Wandsworth is covered by this scheme.

"Boris bikes will help more people to take up cycling, reduce car use and ease congestion on our buses, tubes and trains.

"The bikes are convenient, fun, help reduce air pollution and are much cheaper than other forms of public transport. They will be a great addition to our transport system."

But Hannah Wood, 23, of Blackshaw Road, said she was disappointed to find out there will be no docking stations built in Tooting.

She said: "Tooting has been completely overlooked despite always being rammed with traffic.

"I was really hopeful we’d get some outside the tube stations and Tooting Bec Common. It seems TfL don’t care about people living increasingly south of the river."

A number of Battersea neighbours are petitioning the council and TfL to leave off building docking stations outside their homes, fearing parking chaos.

Lorraine Richards, of Petergate, Battersea, said she already experiences difficulty parking because people use the street to avoid paying for parking.

She said: "I am fuming. We are having enough trouble with parking as it is.

"People living alongside the river have space over there, it is absolutely ridiculous we can't park.

"People are scared to go out because you can't get another space.

"They will get vandalised. A couple of people have said they are going to slash the tyres."

The scheme could set back the council £2m if councillors vote through proposals at future council meetings.

A series of public meetings are taking place on October 6 in Putney Exchange Shopping Centre, Putney High Street, 4-6pm, October 9 in Asda, Lavender Hill, Battersea, 12-2pm and October 9 in Southside Shopping Centre, Garratt Lane, Wandsworth, from 4-6pm.

Anybody with comments on the consultation can email transportation@wandsworth.gov.uk