The Mayor has published results of a new survey that appears to show majority support among local residents for the cycle lanes, which were in place for just seven weeks before the council took them out. Fifty six percent of respondents said they were in favour of the scheme while 30% were opposed.

“The ripping out of the new cycle lanes last year was not just an unacceptable waste of money, but went against what everyone could see: that the safe space for cycling on Kensington High Street was working,” said Sadiq Khan. “Cycling numbers were up, bus journey times down, yet the council was swayed by a few loud voices committed to the status quo.”

Transport for London data shows that more than 3000 people were using the cycle lanes each day while they were in place, on a road described as a ‘casualty hotspot’ for those on two wheels. “I urge the council to make the right decision and work with TfL to reinstate the cycle lanes,” the Mayor added.

His call comes ahead of a fresh decision on the scheme by council leaders, which is due to be taken next week. This follows the launch of pre-action proceedings for a Judicial Review of the scheme’s removal by local campaign group Better Streets for Kensington & Chelsea.

The group’s chair Justin Abbott said: “Our view is that if the lanes are not reinstated it is pretty much inevitable we will proceed with the Judicial Review.”

He alleged that the council acted “not only hastily but unlawfully” by removing the scheme so soon after its installation. He added that the case for safe cycling along the route is supported by a broad range of local people and key stakeholders including Imperial College London and two major NHS Trusts.

“This isn’t just niche cycle lobby organisations calling for this,” he said. “It’s a cross section of the Kensington & Chelsea community.”

A Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Spokesman said: “We know the depth of feeling on both sides of the debate surrounding cycling on Kensington High Street. That’s why the council leader asked to look again at the decision to remove the cycle lane and officers have prepared a report with the most up to date views, data and four options for consideration by the leadership team on 17 March.”

The options include fully or partially reinstalling the temporary cycle lanes, developing plans for an alternative scheme to improve cycling provision in the long term, or staying with the original decision to remove the scheme.

(Photograph: Better Streets for Kensington & Chelsea)