Ealing was named as one of eight boroughs to receive funding from TfL as part of the Mayor of London’s Mini-Holland initiative, it was announced yesterday.

Ealing’s cycling plans were described as ‘exceptional’, with TfL pledging a share of the £100million funding for the council to implement the plans. The exact amount of funding Ealing will receive is still to be confirmed.

Councillor Julian Bell, leader of the council, said;

“This is great news for cyclists in Ealing. After speaking with cycling commissioner, Andrew Gilligan, I am confident that we will get the TfL funding needed to deliver a sizeable proportion of our Mini-Holland bid. This will enable us to carry out the improvements in Ealing town centre and along the Uxbridge Road. But, our plan is to deliver the whole scheme, so we will also be looking to identify other funding that could be used to make Ealing’s full Mini-Holland bid a reality.”

Cycling is at the forefront of transport plans for the borough, and it is the council’s priority to transform Ealing into a friendlier and safer place for people to travel by bike. This funding announcement is fantastic news for the borough, and the council will continue to bid for additional money to carry out a full cycling-overhaul.

Councillor Bassam Mahfouz, cabinet member for environment and transport, added:

“Our Mini-Holland bid focused on creating transformational cycling highways in key locations throughout the borough, which would make it easier and safer for people to travel on two wheels.”

Ealing was named along with Kingston, Enfield, Waltham Forest, Bexley, Merton, Richmond and Newham as the recipients of the £100million funding pot. Kingston, Enfield and Waltham Forest are to receive up to £30million each to implement their full cycling plans.

Ealing was short-listed for the mini-Holland fund in September last year.