Met Police chief warns cycle lanes are holding up emergency call-outs

BRITAIN’S top cop yesterday warned bike lanes are holding up police on emergency call-outs.

Met Police Commissioner Dame Cressida Dick said streets are now covered in bollards.

More than 60 miles of cycle lanes have sprung up over the past year in the capital.

Frontline officers have warned people could die because response times have slowed as a result of low-traffic neighbourhood schemes.

Dame Cressida said: “On occasion, it is harder for our officers to get through streets and roads that they previously could get through much faster.”

She added: “It is really getting quite difficult for them in some places and our response times will suffer.”

However, the Met chief also stressed traffic-free zones were safer for cyclists and pedestrians, and improved air quality.

She said the Met was having talks with Transport for London over instances where “there were real difficulties”.

One London cop said: “It won’t be long until someone passes away because some emergency services can’t get to somebody — whether it be police, ambulance or fire brigade.”

The Government has pledged to increase cycling.

But the High Court ruled in January guidance by London Mayor Sadiq Khan to promote the low-traffic schemes, was “irrational” and unlawful as it failed to safeguard access for taxis and disabled people.

The judge said authorities “took advantage of the pandemic” to create car-free zones.

Women not safe

LONDON does present a danger for women and girls, says police chief Cressida Dick.

Her confession comes after Mayor Sadiq Khan said he believed the capital’s streets were not safe for females in the wake of Sarah Everard’s killing.

Met commander Ms Dick admitted after a meeting with Mr Khan: “We broadly agreed on that point.”

She added: “I absolutely understand many women feel fearful.

“I would say the streets are not completely safe for everybody all of the time.”

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