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Sadiq Khan‘s TfL as we speak sparked a backlash after officers started work to take away Millbank’s beloved palm tree roundabout to make manner for cycle lanes, MailOnline can reveal.
The beloved tree is taken into account a London landmark and sits proudly in the course of a roundabout on the north facet of Lambeth Bridge, close to Westminster.
Work has now began to raise the palm and relocate it to Churchill Gardens in Westminster, in an eco-move that TfL insists will make the roundabout safer for cyclists.
Tony Devenish, City Hall Conservatives London Assembly Member for West Central, slammed TfL for beginning work on the roundabout, saying a cycle lane might have been put across the tree.
‘So, so silly TfL. The Palm is a very talked-about Millbank characteristic. You might have simply made cycle lane adjustments & stored the tree,’ he mentioned.
The palm tree is a ‘widespread’ Millbank characteristic and sits in the course of a roundabout on the north facet of Lambeth Bridge
Councillors have hit out at TfL after they began development on the roundabout
Tony Devenish, City Hall Conservatives London Assembly Member for West Central, took to social media to slam TfL for beginning work on the roundabout
The tree is taken into account a London landmark and sits on the north facet of Lambeth bridge
‘Anyone in native politics is aware of you mess with London’s bushes at your peril. Well finished Cllrs Harvey & Short for attempting to make @Sadiqkhan & co see sense.’
Mr Devenish added: ‘We all help bettering the protection of cyclists on London’s roads. But the choice to take away this widespread palm tree, a notable London landmark, is tone deaf.
‘We want extra palm bushes in London, not much less. Surely, it isn’t past the boffins at TfL to design a cycle lane that improves the protection of cyclists whereas additionally defending this much-loved tree.’
London Traffic Watch wrote on X: ‘Reduced capability round Millbank Circus as a result of @TfL eradicating the a lot beloved palm tree.’
People on X have responded to the tree’s removing, with one particular person writing: ‘I really like that tree! Always admire it each time I see it.’
Work has now began to raise the palm and relocate it to Churchill Gardens in Westminster, in a transfer TfL says will make the roundabout safer for cyclists
The tree might be moved from the Millbank roundabout to Churchill Gardens in Westminster
People took to X as we speak to touch upon the tree’s removing, with one calling it a ‘shame’
Another mentioned: ‘They cannot do this that is a nationwide treasure.’
A 3rd wrote: ‘Leave the tree alone.’
In April 2015 a famend artwork designer was killed as she cycled to work when a lorry reduce left and ran over her on the roundabout.
James Kwatia, 42, hit Moira Gemmill, 55, to loss of life as she cycled up Lambeth Palace Road on the morning of April 9.
Kwatia was discovered not responsible of inflicting her loss of life by careless driving in 2017.
MailOnline has contacted Westminster City Council for remark.
Helen Cansick, TfL’s Head of Healthy Streets Investment, mentioned: ‘Work to cut back hazard at Lambeth Bridge is a crucial a part of our plans to avoid wasting lives and guarantee no one is killed
or severely injured at London’s most harmful junction. The palm tree is being moved to a brand new location within the native space, following cautious consideration, in an effort to enable this important work to go forward.’