Some are angry at the removal of their car parking spaces.
Shop owners in Wandsworth have been left furious after parking spaces outside their businesses were being replaced with ‘Boris Bikes’ docks without prior consultation.
As part of Wandsworth Council’s ‘Travel Choices’ campaign, aiming to increase transport options in the borough, the council is working with the Mayor of London to extend the Boris Bike zone into parts of Battersea, Wandsworth Town and Putney by the end of 2013.
However, local traders have been left angered by lack of communication from the council in regards to parking spaces around their businesses are being taken away.
Although the council state “each resident will be notified a few weeks before work start to enable them to report major issues in their area”, traders claim this has not been the case.
Derek Waddington, owner of Broadway Bathrooms on Upper Richmond Road, Putney, said there are several traders on the road affected and none were informed of the planned works.
“We weren’t told. Ever. They (construction workers) just appeared last week.”
According to Mr Waddington, eight parking bays on the road used by customers have been replaced by the new bike docks.
He said: “The worst thing is we pay the taxes towards this. It’s a 220million project. They say the bikes will reduce pollution, but our customers now need to drive around looking for new places to park. It’s actually increasing pollution.”
Laura Addington, 43, a mother-of-two in Putney, said she is surprised not all residents were informed about the work.
“I think the idea of increasing bike users is great but in reality, it is the residents who have to put up with the noisy construction works,” she said.
“I came out to take my kids to school and saw men digging up holes in our street. We weren’t warned about it what-so-ever. And to find out the works will go on until at least Christmas is a real stab in the back.”
The docks are being installed to provide safe and secure cycle parking facilities across the borough, however, will not be available to use until December 2013.
In addition, the council is working with Transport for London to secure a complete redesign of the Wandsworth One Way System on roads for cyclists
For more information regarding planned works in Wandsworth Borough and the ‘Travel Choices’ campaign, visit http://www.wandsworth.gov.uk/travelchoices
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