A coroner has warned TfL over the dangers of the blue paint used on the Capital’s cycle superhighway (CS) network, stating that unless action is taken ‘there is a risk that future deaths will occur’.
Reported by the Evening Standard on Monday (13 Mar), Dr Fiona Wilcox has called for ‘an urgent review’ of all areas treated with the paint, and for it to be replaced with a higher grip surface.
In response, TfL said that newer Cycle Superhighways, such as CS3 (East-West) and CS6 (North-South) are substantially segregated and have very little, if any, blue surface.
Leon Daniels, TfL’s managing director of surface transport, said TfL is ‘carefully considering’ the issues raised, and is ‘confident’ the cycle superhighway network is improving the safety of London’s roads.
According to the Evening Standard report, Dr Fiona Wilcox has issued TfL with a ‘prevention of deaths report’ months before she concludes an inquest into the death of motorcyclist Milan Dokic, who crashed in Battersea Park Road in March 2016 after losing control of his bike in wet conditions. Mr Dokic had entered the CS8 lane, one of the first non-segregated superhighways, to undertake a van.
Dr Wilcox said: “These concerns are too urgent to wait until the full hearing of the evidence to be addressed.”
In her report to TfL, Dr Wilcox wrote: “The CCTV clearly shows the motorcycle losing grip and sliding along the road. Sadly, Mr Dokic came off and hit a bollard, sustaining injuries that led to his death at the scene.”
She said she was due to hear evidence in another death “in slightly different circumstances” in Battersea “where low grip on the CS may have played a part”.
Leon Daniels, TfL’s managing director of surface transport, said: “Our thoughts are with the family and friends of Milan Dokic. We’re preparing our response to the Coroner and carefully considering the issues raised. We are confident our cycle superhighway network is improving the safety of London’s roads.
“We are working hard to tackle the dangers on London’s streets. We are investing in safer cycle lanes and junctions, working with boroughs to introduce more 20mph limits, removing the most dangerous Heavy Goods Vehicles from the Capital and continuing our road safety education and enforcement programmes.”
Photo: TfL (via Flickr)
15 March 2017