Brent Cycling Campaign: More questions than answers in Brent's Climate Strategy Update

From Brent Cycling Campaign 

We are pleased to see things moving forward over climate, particularly with the ongoing commitment to school streets, the proposal for "Sustainable Neighbourhood" pilots, and the funding of community groups working in this field. However, this update 2022-2024 leaves us with more questions than answers.

 

The Brent Climate Emergency Strategy 2021-2030 has a dedicated chapter on Transport with the following objective: "By 2030, petrol and diesel road journeys will have at least halved in the borough, being driven as close as possible to zero, with an accompanying increase in journeys made by residents through cycling, walking or public transport." This will not happen by itself if no measures on the ground are introduced to support residents with switching transport modes for at least some of their journeys, if not the majority. 

 

The strategy also mentioned that transport was the "second most important theme that should be prioritised in the eyes of the Brent Climate Assembly as a means of tackling the climate emergency". It also clearly laid out that road transport was one of the biggest sources of carbon pollution in Brent. We are therefore surprised to see the lack of proposals for transport. Cargo bike trials for businesses, and space for parking cycles are important but if there is hardly anywhere to ride that feels safe and convenient, whether you are 7 or 77, this will not amount to a significant change in transport behaviour.

 

Earlier this year, the Mayor of London outlined what would be required if London were to achieve decarbonisation by 2030: "In order to meet the climate change targets, car traffic must reduce by at least 27% in London by the end of the decade." To achieve this, we need safe space for cycling which is consistent, linked up, safe and inclusive. We need a network of safe routes to schools, to high streets, to hospitals and GPs which are children-friendly and inclusive. We need Climate Safe Streets. 

 

Our question is: where is the urgency to tackle transport? Where is the joined-up thinking? According to the delivery plan to be presented to cabinet on Monday, there will only be two years left for the current administration to build the environment Brent residents will need to choose active travel and move away from car reliance. If by 2026, we do not see the infrastructure in place to support residents transitioning away from motor vehicles, it will be too late. 

 

 

 

 

 

Never mind climate change, let's save some money....

Environmental groups across Brent angered at Brent Council’s decision to cut key Environment posts will be holding a protest outside Brent Town Hall on Monday 12^th July.   They have requested speaking rights at the Council Executive meeting to voice their concerns.

 

Brent Campaign against Climate Change, made up of environmental, trade union, political and community groups across the Borough are infuriated that Brent Council have cut two posts in Environment and Culture, including a new Climate Change Officer post.  The campaigners believe the post, which would have would oversee and deliver the Borough’s Climate Change strategy, should be exempt from the cuts which will otherwise seriously impede the Council’s work to deliver a sustainable agenda.

 

Brent’s Climate Change strategy was launched at an event in Wembley in December last year.  A strategy steering group was due to be set up comprising public services, businesses, voluntary sector and community group representatives, but this new post was the only paid one on the committee.  The other places are entirely voluntary, non-expert and do not carry any authority.  The steering group is yet to be set up and the officer post, due to be recruited last year, was put on hold due to a recruitment freeze across the Council this Spring, and has now been axed.  This work is instead being designated to existing staff, which campaigners believe will compromise what can be achieved.

 

Ken Montague, Chair of Brent Campaign against Climate Change said:

Brent Council really need to get their heads round the seriousness and urgency of the problem facing us. Climate change is happening now and it won't wait till they've balanced their budgets.  This is a short sighted decision which shows that Brent is not planning for the future.

 

We should save the planet not the bankers.  Brent Council must lead the way and not give way to Con Dem budget cuts.

Brent Councillors don't have to answer to us. They will have to answer to their grandchildren.

Steffi Gray, of Brent Friends of the Earth (FoE), who is hoping to address the Council meeting said:

This is outrageous.  Brent have spent forty thousand pounds of our council tax hiring consultants to come up with this strategy, but have now pulled the plug on any further money to actually deliver the scheme.  What’s more they have made a big deal of signing up to the 10:10 campaign to reduce emissions by 10% in 2010, but this target is actually LESS than the amount they agreed to previously.

We want Brent Council to get serious about climate change, but we fear these cuts will put a sustainable agenda at risk.  Given the urgency of climate change, this post should be a priority and be made exempt from the cuts.

 

Shahrar Ali, Brent Green party spokesperson for planning and environment added:

We need to take urgent action on climate change mitigation locally. The Brent climate change strategy called for a full-time officer to work with other agencies and the public - today, not the day after tomorrow. Failure to recruit the post is environmentally irresponsible. We are calling for all newly elected councillors to see sense, for the sake of current and future generations.

 

Brent Council faces two hundred staff cuts in September, whilst Council tax has been frozen for the coming year.  The decision was made without consultation with community groups who had previously been involved in shaping the Borough’s climate change strategy.

 

Members of Brent FoE, Brent Green Party, Brent Red-Green Forum, Brent and Harrow Socialist Workers Party, Brent Socialist Resistance, and  Transition Kensal to Kilburn will be outside Brent Town Hall in Wembley from 6.30pm on Monday 12^th July.  The Council executive meeting starts at 7.15pm.