With Kingston candidates out campaigning for the 7 May local elections, we’ve launched our Streets for Cycling campaign. We’re asking the leaders of each main party to pledge that, if elected council leader, they will deliver a safe, connected cycle network for people of all ages and abilities.

Transport for London has already identified five key Kingston routes with the greatest potential to shift local journeys to cycling, and will provide funding to build them. These routes would connect central Kingston to nearby centres such as Richmond and Wimbledon, link Surbiton with Norbiton and New Malden with Worcester Park, and improve connections between Chessington and Surbiton.

The new campaign builds on Kingston Council’s 2019 Climate Emergency declaration, which committed to reducing emissions and supporting more sustainable travel across the borough. It also comes at a time when major Kingston developments, such as the Cambridge Road Estate regeneration, are actively discouraging car dependency by limiting car parking provision.

We need as many residents as possible to let Kingston’s party leaders know why this issue matters and share what having a safe cycle network across Kingston would mean to you. It only takes a minute to email them via lcc.org.uk/campaigns/streets-for-cycling/