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Covid bike and walking schemes do not delay ambulances, trusts say

FOI responses also reveal no schemes introduced without relevant service being consulted
Low-traffic neighbourhoods, popup cycle lanes, widened pavements and other walking and cycling schemes introduced in response to the Covid-19 pandemic have not hindered ambulance response times, a series of freedom of information requests has revealed.
Ambulance trust responses to FOIs submitted by the charity Cycling UK revealed that no such schemes were implemented without the relevant trust’s knowledge and that no delays to emergency response times had been identified because of them.
Four of the 10 UK trust responses expressed support for measures to boost walking and cycling for health, prevent road traffic injury and to protect the environment.
Emergency measures to make active travel safer were implemented to avoid a rush to private cars as public transport capacity was reduced by coronavirus. However, some raised concerns the measures could lead to delays to emergency services.
Duncan Dollimore, head of campaigns at Cycling UK, told the Guardian: “What those freedom ofinformation requests have revealed is that there is no evidence to support the argument that cycle lanes delay ambulances.
“It wasn’t just one of those cases where it was left unclear by a vague freedom of information response; they were very clear: they don’t have any problem with them, and they support these schemes.”
However, that was not how it was reported in the media last year, added Dollimore, referring to reports in the Daily Mail and Telegraph that ambulances were being delayed.
The FoI requests, which were submitted in November, asked ambulance trusts to identify any active travel schemes introduced without their consultation, any that caused emergency response delays and any outstanding problems relating to such schemes. The trusts were also asked whether they supported the principle of such active travel measures, or their withdrawal.
Ten of the 12 UK ambulance trusts responded, two of whom said they did not hold the relevant information. Seven of the other eight that answered all questions said they were not aware of any problems with active travel schemes or concerns about delays from drivers. Several trusts added that they worked with councils on schemes’ designs to mitigate problems.
Only East of England ambulance trust described a problem with a locked barrier in Cambridge, although Cambridgeshire county council said no lockable barriers were installed in its Covid walking and cycling response and suggested this could be part of past counter-terrorism measures, adding that alternative routes were available.
Four ambulance service trusts – East Midlands, London, South Central and Yorkshire – expressed explicit support for active travel schemes in their FoI responses, while spokespeople for West Midlands and North West told the Guardian they supported such schemes and were not aware of any causing delays. No trust supported the withdrawal of measures.
A West Midlands ambulance service spokesperson said: “To date, our crews have not reported any detrimental issues caused by the changes to road layout whilst responding to 999 calls. However, should such a situation arise, we are confident that we would work with the relevant council to resolve these.
“We are supportive of LTNs
A North West ambulance service spokesperson said: “Our ambulance crews are advanced drivers and trained to deal with a range of conditions including traffic congestion … we welcome any traffic arrangements that promote road safety and reduce the amount of accidents that occur, and we work with councils to find a compromise over any road layouts or changes that may cause us difficulties.”
David Williams, the deputy director for operations at East Midlands ambulance service, said: “We welcome the introduction of cycle lanes because they are there to help keep cyclists safe and therefore help prevent road traffic collisions.”
Research has found that having protected cycle lanes reduces the odds of cycling injuries by 40%-65%, while LTNs have been found to reduce injuries for all road users by 70%.
Analysis of fire service response times in LTNs in north London between 2012 and 2020 found no evidence of delays within the schemes and slight improvements to response times on boundary roads.
Dollimore said: “There should be engagement and consultation, but I think one of the lessons for local authorities also is not to be panicked into reacting and pulling out schemes, or thinking that schemes don’t work on the back of, say, sensational media reports.”
“The claim that cycle lanes were causing mayhem and disaster for ambulances was manifestly untrue.”
source: Laura Laker
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BENEFIT AGM approves 10%...
- March 27, 2025
BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the company’s headquarters in the Seef District.
During the meeting, shareholders approved all items listed on the agenda, including the ratification of the minutes of the previous AGM held on 26 March 2024. The session reviewed and approved the Board’s Annual Report on the company’s activities and financial performance for the fiscal year ended 31 December 2024, and the shareholders expressed their satisfaction with the company’s operational and financial results during the reporting period.
The meeting also reviewed the Independent External Auditor’s Report on the company’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024. Subsequently, the shareholders approved the audited financial statements for the fiscal year. Based on the Board’s recommendation, the shareholders approved the distribution of a cash dividend equivalent to 10% of the paid-up share capital.
Furthermore, the shareholders endorsed the allocation of a total amount of BD 172,500 as remuneration to the members of the Board for the year ended 31 December 2024, subject to prior clearance by related authorities.
The extension of the current composition of the Board was approved, which includes ten members and one CBB observer, for a further six-month term, expiring in September 2025, pending no objection from the CBB.
The meeting reviewed and approved the Corporate Governance Report for 2024, which affirmed the company’s full compliance with the corporate governance directives issued by the CBB and other applicable regulatory frameworks. The AGM absolved the Board Members of liability for any of their actions during the year ending on 31st December 2024, in accordance with the Commercial Companies Law.
In alignment with regulatory requirements, the session approved the reappointment of Ernst & Young (EY) as the company’s External Auditors for the fiscal year 2025, covering both the parent company and its subsidiaries—Sinnad and Bahrain FinTech Bay. The Board was authorised to determine the external auditors’ professional fees, subject to approval from the CBB, and the meeting concluded with a discussion of any additional issues as per Article (207) of the Commercial Companies Law.
Speaking on the company’s performance, Mr. Mohamed Al Bastaki, Chairman BENEFIT , stated: “In terms of the financial results for 2024, I am pleased to say that the year gone by has also been proved to be a success in delivering tangible results. Growth rate for 2024 was 19 per cent. Revenue for the year was BD 17 M (US$ 45.3 Million) and net profit was 2 Million ($ 5.3 Million).
Mr. Al Bastaki also announced that the Board had formally adopted a new three-year strategic roadmap to commence in 2025. The strategy encompasses a phased international expansion, optimisation of internal operations, enhanced revenue diversification, long-term sustainability initiatives, and the advancement of innovation and digital transformation initiatives across all service lines.
“I extend my sincere appreciation to the CBB for its continued support of BENEFIT and its pivotal role in fostering a stable and progressive regulatory environment for the Kingdom’s banking and financial sector—an environment that has significantly reinforced Bahrain’s standing as a leading financial hub in the region,” said Mr. Al Bastaki. “I would also like to thank our partner banks and valued customers for their trust, and our shareholders for their ongoing encouragement. The achievements of 2024 set a strong precedent, and I am confident they will serve as a foundation for yet another successful and impactful year ahead.”
Chief Executive of BENEFIT; Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi commented, “The year 2024 represented another pivotal chapter in BENEFIT ’s evolution. We achieved substantial progress in advancing our digital strategy across multiple sectors, while reinforcing our long-term commitment to the development of Bahrain’s financial services and payments landscape. Throughout the year, we remained firmly aligned with our objective of delivering measurable value to our shareholders, strategic partners, and customers. At the same time, we continued to play an active role in enabling Bahrain’s digital economy by introducing innovative solutions and service enhancements that directly address market needs and future opportunities.”
Mr. AlJanahi affirmed that BENEFIT has successfully developed a robust and well-integrated payment network that connects individuals and businesses across Bahrain, accelerating the adoption of emerging technologies in the banking and financial services sector and reinforcing Bahrain’s position as a growing fintech hub, and added, “Our achievements of the past year reflect a long-term vision to establish a resilient electronic payment infrastructure that supports the Kingdom’s digital economy. Key developments in 2024 included the implementation of central authentication for open banking via BENEFIT Pay”
Mr. AlJanahi concluded by thanking the Board for its strategic direction, the company’s staff for their continued dedication, and the Central Bank of Bahrain, member banks, and shareholders for their valuable partnership and confidence in the company’s long-term vision.
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