On the Shepherds Bush blog, Chris has a response from Hammersmith & Fulham confirming they too will be providing support “in a variety of ways including developer funding through section 106 and in kind support such as officer time and use of premises.”
As Chris reports, that support totals £2m.
So far that’s at least £6m being collected from local councils for a scheme Boris and Barclays derive huge PR benefits from. I know others are also asking awkward questions of their local councils.
Transport for London meanwhile owe me some answers, including on how much LIPs and Section 106 money they know boroughs have provided and also how much boroughs contributed to the original scheme and the expansions.
I’ve also asked what publicity – on cycle hire posts and marketing materials – boroughs receive in return for their cash. So far it seems much less than Barclays get as part of their secret sponsorship deal.
When TfL respond I’ll let you know.
Update: TfL have sent the following statement which answers most, but not all, of my questions:
“Since its launch in July 2010 the Barclays Cycle Hire been an enormous success, with more than 10m customer journeys made and extensions planned for both east and west of the original central London scheme area. Boroughs where the scheme is extending have seen the success and benefits of the original scheme, and are keen to contribute towards this proven and cheap way to get around the capital.
“London Borough of Tower Hamlets has agreed to provide funding of £2m for the £40m eastern extension, which will blanket the borough with a new mode of transport which local people can use for work and social activity for as little as 12p per day. Both TfL and London Borough of Tower Hamlets believe Barclays Cycle Hire will significantly boost cycle usage in this part of the capital. As a partner in bringing the scheme to the borough, the Tower Hamlets name and logo will be alongside those of the Mayor and TfL on all docking stations in the extended area.”
The scheme TfL calls “an enormous success” last year saw sign-ups plummet to just 800 in December while an internal TfL report warned of rising dissatisfaction amongst users.
