£8 million bid to improve local transport

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Mon 4th Aug 2003

Southwark's Liberal Democrat council has agreed a £8 million bid to London's Mayor to improve transport in the borough.

The Council decided at its Executive meeting last Tuesday to include the following measures in its Spending Plan (Transport) for 2004/2005:

• £2 million for roads maintenance

• £2 million for local road safety schemes, 20 mph zones and home zones

• £0.7 million for area based schemes

• £0.6 million for bridge strengthening

• £0.5 million for controlled parking zones

• £0.4 million for 'Safer Routes to School'

• £0.4 million for walking

• £0.4 million for cycling

• £0.4 million for accessibility

The Borough Transport Plan is presented annually to Transport for London, the body overseeing all transport issues in the capital.

Councillor Richard Thomas, Liberal Democrat Executive Member for the Environment and Transport, said:

"This Transport Plan, if accepted by Transport for London, will make a real difference to people's quality of life in Southwark.

"The Council will be able to make a start catching up on the road repairs needed across the borough and make our roads safer for children and residents by slowing traffic down.

"Residents wanting a Controlled Parking Zone in their area, after full and improved consultation, to prevent commuter parking will also have a dedicated sum set aside to bring in new schemes. Community Councils will also get the chance to influence schemes to improve transport in their area."