1:02pm Monday 24th November 2008
By Tomasz Johnson
The Mayor of London has announced a £3.5 million grant to improve transport in the borough next year.
The cash injection, announced by Boris Johnson last week, will fund a number of projects across the borough.
£767,000 will go towards the replacement of the road surface on The Hyde, in Colindale, and Pricklers Hill, in Barnet.
£107,000 will pay for cycle training, with another £10,000 for additional cycle parking spots. £60,000 will pay for improvements to the East Finchley urban footpaths, which stretch from the North Circular to East Finchley tube station.
As well as funding for these specific projects, the grant includes £100,000 to be spent as Barnet Council chooses, designed to give local authorities greater freedom in choosing transport projects.
Boris Johnson, the Mayor of London, said: “When I was elected I promised I would be different and give greater freedom to the Boroughs. This is why this year I have introduced a £100,000 award for Boroughs to spend as they choose.
“Boroughs are being given greater freedom to develop and deliver the schemes they want, which means more choice over a range of key local schemes to improve town centres and cycling facilities, tackle the school run and improve local roads.
“I am awarding Barnet a budget of £3.5m next year for local schemes that will make travelling safer, more accessible and more environment-friendly, helping to improve the quality of life for people across the borough.”
The grant matches that given to the borough by former Mayor of London Ken Livingstone last year.
Part of that £3.5 million went towards improvements to the Golders Green junction with Finchley Road and resurfacing Burnt Oak Broadway to make it safer for cyclists and drivers.
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