Hove MP supports cycling campaign

Celia Barlow calls for integrated green transport solutions

Celia Barlow MP is keeping up the pressure on Southern Railway to reverse their ban on bikes at peak times. The company’s decision was slammed by the Local Government Association as harming the environment by pushing more cars on the road.

The Hove and Portslade MP praised the City’s transport policy and asked the Local Government Association to find ways to coordinate local projects with the train company. Shona Johnstone, Transport Spokesperson of LGA Environment Board, criticised the ban on bikes in her reply. She said: “It is certainly very frustrating when you see train operators banning bikes from trains which then immediately pushes more traffic on to the roads.”

Celia Barlow MP also met representatives of the Transport Minister Derek Twigg MP and Brighton and Hove Councillor Gill Mitchell to support the “Cycling England” project to invest more money in cycling facilities in Brighton and Hove. At the meeting, Celia hailed the policy and repeated her call for an integrated strategy to provide environmental-friendly transport facilities. The City is receiving a total of £1.5m in funding from 2006 to 2008 to promote several cycling initiatives.

Celia Barlow MP said: “Southern’s decision is out of touch with the rail customers’ wishes and needs – and it is now absolutely clear it is harming the environment. It is high time we develop a joint-up transport strategy, linking up public transport, trains and bicycles. The Cycling England project in our City is a welcome first step in this direction.”