Cyclists have welcomed a bid to seek a judicial review on the decision by Stephen Byers to block plans to use newly-built cycle routes on Tooting and Wandsworth Commons.
Wandsworth Council is now waiting to hear from the High Court on the former transport secretary's ruling not to allow cyclists to use the lanes because he was not satisfied the routes were part of the public highway.
The council has called the decision "absurd" and like saying "we'll allow you to build a house but we won't allow you to live in it."
Simon Merret, chairman of the Wandsworth Cycling Campaign (WCC), praised efforts to get the routes up and running.
He said: "The routes would provide a safe and environmentally-friendly way for children to get to school and commuters to get to work but have become mired in a legal and bureaucratic muddle."
Mr Byers rejected the routes back in May saying legally the council was not the highway authority for the paths.
Local cyclist and WCC member David Martin added: "This is ridiculous. If Wandsworth is not the highway authority for land in Wandsworth then who is?"
July 9, 2002 10:00
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