Havering Has The Lowest Level Of Protected Cycle Track In London As Borough Slips Lower In The Healthy Streets Scorecard.

News From Havering Cyclists, Emma Hawkins:

As a member of the Labour Party, Havering Cyclists and a local resident in Romford, I found this year’s Healthy Streets Scorecard disappointing, but not surprising. Havering has slipped again in London’s rankings, falling from 29th to 31st out of 33 boroughs. https://www.healthystreetsscorecard.london/

Romford Labour has repeatedly raised concerns about the borough’s over-reliance on cars, lack of safe active travel options, and missed opportunities for cleaner, more inclusive infrastructure. The numbers now confirm it. Havering has the lowest cycling rates in London, with just 3.2 % of residents cycling once a week. There’s been no meaningful increase in protected cycle lanes, or 20 mph zones. Meanwhile, car ownership remains high and car-free households have dropped to the lowest proportion in London.

Havering has the lowest level of protected cycle track in London at only 0.5% of road length. Whist shared paths in parks seem safe and pleasant cyclists mixing with walkers, children playing and dogs is dangerous for all concerned. Despite clear cycle markings on the tracks in Lodge Farm Park I sustained a complex fracture of my wrist when a child playing went straight into the bike.

There has been some progress in rolling out school street schemes, but these are only useful if they result in a modal shift away from car travel towards more cycling and walking. I spent time with Councillor Keane at Globe Road earlier this year and the amount of traffic at school closure time was terrifying. 

As an ex-NHS consultant, I am mindful of the negative impact on people’s health of inactive lifestyles, as well as the problems of poor air quality and the tragedy of every road traffic fatality. Recent statistics published in the Havering Daily have highlighted the alarming rates of obesity in this borough. A drastic move away from a car dominated culture is long overdue. 

Let’s stop tinkering at the edges. It’s time Havering took real steps toward becoming a borough that prioritises people over pollution.

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