Below is the latest correspondence I sent to the Mayor about the proposed cycle route on Burdett Road, dated Monday 13th January 2019.
Dear John,
First, let me thank you for arranging the meeting with TFL today. Unfortunately, due to a severe bout of flu, I will not be able to attend today. However, I would like to raise the following points that I should believe should be raised with TFL.
First, the consultation that was carried out by TFL was flawed and deliberately discriminated against the BAME community in Tower Hamlets, who are directly affected by the proposed cycle route. The feeling on the ground is that TFL deliberately made it difficult for BAME communities to participate in the consultation. This is backed up by empirical evidence on the ground, the consultation being run in Ramadan, no local BAME organisations were consulted. In fact the TFL officials conducted meetings, in a clandestine manner, with groups who they deemed were sympathetic to the proposals on the basis of demographics. This is a direct breach of the Public Sector Equaity Duty under the Equalities Act.
Second, due to the above, there is no buy into the proposals from the local community. As it is seen that TFL have deliberately discriminated against the local community on the basis of their ethnicity.
Third, this is not a car versus cycling debate, as a large number of BAME residents cycle for a living as delivery cyclists. Something, which has not been, unfortunately, picked up in the Councils cycling strategy or engagement on cycling issues. This is about a public body, in this case, TFL perceived to be deliberately discriminating against working-class and BAME residents who are directly affected by the proposed cycling route.
In order to move forward can you please ask the following to TFL:
How many BAME officers do they have on their consultation team?
How many if any of these BAME officers were assigned to the consultation in Tower Hamlets?
Do TFL admit that the consultation could have been carried out in a more inclusive and transparent manner, given the above concerns?
If so, as a matter of moving forward, can another consultation be carried out, with BAME TFL officers, in a proactive manner and outreach to the local BAME community?
With Regards,
Cllr Puru Miah
Mile End
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