The Labour Group amendment to support extending most cycle lane schemes, but to remove the temporary lanes on Old Shoreham Road in favour of identifying a viable, alternative local route, was successful at the Environment, Transport & Sustainability Committee tonight.

The Climate Assembly was clear that the path to a carbon neutral city required bringing residents with us on the journey, consulting and engaging with them, and ensuring we changed our plans accordingly when they gave us feedback.

This is what Labour did tonight.

We called for a consultation and we promised residents we would listen to them. They told us the lanes we installed on Old Shoreham Road were simply not working.

So, tonight we voted to remove them and find an alternative location for a temporary cycle lane scheme. We suggested officers begin by considering Portland Road and New Church Road, but also explore other nearby options.

There will now be an Urgency Sub-Committee in the next three weeks to finalise the removal of the temporary lanes on Old Shoreham Road, and we’ll be urging officers to crack on with finding an alternative that works for all road users.

Alongside our call to action around other routes, the Labour Group was pleased to vote to extend the cycle lane schemes on the A23 and Western Road, as well as the A259 (subject to proper engagement with local businesses and residents on the seafront).

In the meantime, we remain resolute in our desire to deliver on the recommendations of the Climate Assembly – as this is how we will get to carbon net zero and truly combat the climate crisis.

We’ll get there by listening to and working with residents, and of course, keeping our promises to them. We are pleased to report that at tonight’s Committee, this is exactly what we have done.