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A call was made today for Boris bikes to be extended to a London borough with one of the highest rates of cycling in the capital.

Liberal Democrats want the hire scheme, brought in by former mayor Boris Johnson, to undergo its third expansion, taking it to Richmond.

Set up in central London in 2010, it was extended east to Canary Wharf for the 2012 Olympics and then west to Hammersmith, Fulham and Wandsworth three years ago.

Sarah Olney, the Lib-Dem candidate in next week’s Richmond Park by-election, said: “I’ve been overwhelmed by the huge support from local residents for bringing cycle hire into the heart of Richmond. This plan would cut congestion, improve air quality and reduce overcrowding on public transport.”

Transport for London requires boroughs to pay about £2 million towards expansion costs. London Assembly member Caroline Pidgeon said: “Liberal Democrats have always been passionate about transforming London into a truly cycling city.”

Richmond’s draft cycle strategy aims to increase the number of journeys, currently at seven per cent. Peter Buckwell, cabinet member for highways, said TfL and scheme sponsors Santander “were not keen to push it further”. He added that the council hoped that Brompton folding bikes would be available for hire at stations such as Twickenham, Hampton and Teddington.