The big rise in those killed or seriously injured (KSI) on London’s roads is extremely worrying [“1,220 killed or seriously injured in London road accidents over three months”, February 18]. KSIs are up 83 per cent for those cycling, far out of proportion to the welcome 7.5 per cent increase in cycling journeys.

Unless the Mayor, TfL and police get a rapid grip, there’s little chance London will become a “byword for cycling” or reach “Vision Zero” by 2041 as the Mayor promises.

London Assembly member Caroline Russell has revealed the Mayor is underspending on cycling. But the blame doesn’t solely fall on the Mayor.

Boroughs like Westminster must stop actively blocking cycling and walking projects. They might talk the talk, but what speaks louder is legal action to halt changes to the notoriously dangerous Swiss Cottage gyratory; blocking Lambeth Bridge roundabout improvements; and putting forward Strand/Aldwych proposals that completely ignore the needs of those on bikes.

The result? TfL’s data shows Westminster is the only London borough where cycling KSI risk rose in recent years. These serious collisions should not be seen as accidents (nor are they commonly the fault of cyclists). They come from a road system that doesn’t protect people properly, especially those walking and cycling. Further delays to making our roads safer by the Mayor or boroughs will only lead to more avoidable deaths and injuries.

Simon Munk

London Cycling Campaign

EDITOR'S REPLY

Dear Simon

It’s hard to disagree with you. It’s also great to see the London Cycling Campaign prepared to reflect the concerns of many cyclists.

As we near the third anniversary of Sadiq Khan’s election as Mayor, there’s not as much as was hoped in terms of new safe (ie segregated) cycling infrastructure. Yes, the CS6 cycle superhighway was extended towards King’s Cross and gaps were plugged in CS3 around Buckingham Palace. CS9 via Chiswick may finally happen, thanks to the diplomacy of cycling commissioner Will Norman. But CS11 from Swiss Cottage is as good as dead. Quietways were “built” by placing the occasional bollard but these are unsegregated. The Olympic Park has become the gold standard in how not to encourage cycling.

The casualty figures are provisional but alarming. It’s not only cyclists who are being killed or badly injured. A cycle route or road crossing is only truly safe if you’d let your child to use it. Forget Vision Zero: those who fail to grasp this have zero vision.

Ross Lydall, City Hall Editor

Independent MPs deserve respect

I DISAGREE with Mark Boyle [“Labour upstarts should not prevail”, The Reader, February 19] that few will sympathise with the defectors. Unlike many Labour and Conservative MPs who share their contempt for the fundamentalists running their respective parties, they have had the courage to make a principled stand. The sooner more MPs have the courage to join them — and in the light of Nissan and Honda’s thumbs-down to Brexit — the sooner we can put Theresa May’s deal to the country in a second referendum.

Stan Labovitch

I WHOLEHEARTEDLY back the Independent Group splitters. Luciana Berger, Chuka Umunna and the other six Labour MPs are heroes for standing up against the bigotry and bullying of the militant hard-Left.

All decent Labour MPs should look long and hard in the mirror, and decide whether they can, hand on heart, remain in such a repugnant political party.

Sebastian Monblat

Gauke’s prisons plan is welcome

Most of us are only too aware that the Government is a one-issue administration, namely Brexit.

Therefore, how pleasing is it to see Justice Secretary David Gauke announce that he wants to eliminate prison sentences of less than six months. I predict he will face heavy opposition from some at grassroots level but this is a fine proposal, and I wish him the best of luck.

Robert Boston

David Gauke’s proposal could be effective — though only if the correct infrastructure is put in place first.

Anne Kruse

Shamima must show remorse

As long as Shamima Begum shows no remorse about joining Islamic State she must not be allowed back home [“Should she be allowed to return?” February 19]. By choosing to leave the country to join the extremists she has not only betrayed the country but put the entire British Muslim community at great risk.

Hasanat Husain

We should show compassion for the sake of Shamima’s child. We should take the moral high ground and not act in the same way as the extremists.

Fateha Aftab