Borough's decision to not renew Lime deal questioned

CYCLING IN HOUNSLOW HAS NOW DROPPED SAYS CRITIC

- By PHILIP JAMES LYNCH Local democracy reporter

Linden Grigg hopes to become a Conservative councillor in Chiswick next year

A PROSPECTIVE West London councillor has slammed Hounslow Council’s handling of bike hire provision in the borough, claiming its decision to part ways with Lime has caused a huge drop in cycling rates.

Linden Grigg, a 25-year-old parliamentary aide who hopes to become a Conservative councillor in Chiswick next year, says the council’s decision to switch away from Lime has caused “chaos”.

Hounslow Council chose not to renew its contract with the e-bike provider in August, citing the need for stricter enforcement as a reason for the decision. Forest and Voi are now the firms serving Hounslow with e-bikes.

Initially, riders could not use Lime bikes in the borough at all, and would feel their bike come to a stop as they entered Hounslow. This led to a build up of dumped Lime bikes on bridges in and out of the borough, causing what Mr Grigg described as a “safety risk”.

This has since been changed so riders can pass through the east of Hounslow when travelling between neighbouring boroughs.

Speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS), Mr Grigg said he believed the decision was made as a way to raise the most money, rather than the best service for residents - something the council refutes. He added: “I think the council needs to get their story straight on this.