London’s first Quietway route, which will eventually become part of a network of radial and orbital cycle routes throughout the city, has officially opened.
The route, which links Greenwich and Waterloo, includes more than 2km of traffic-free paths for cyclists across four boroughs: Lambeth, Southwark, Lewisham and the Royal Borough of Greenwich.
For pedestrians there are new or improved crossing facilities and wider footways, in a bid to make the route safer and more attractive for walking.
TfL hopes that Quietways will help overcome barriers to cycling, targeting cyclists who want to use quieter, low-traffic routes and providing an environment for those who want to travel at a more gentle pace.
Each Quietway will provide a continuous route for cyclists with every London borough set to benefit from the programme. The routes will complement other cycling initiatives such as the Central London Cycling Grid, Cycle Superhighways and Mini-Hollands.
There are currently plans for six futher Quietways to be completed by spring 2017.
Sadiq Khan, mayor of London, said: “It is important that we make it safer and easier for Londoners to cycle across our city and we want the first of the Quietways to make a significant contribution towards that aim.
“I am already looking at what works best from the existing cycle schemes to ensure we deliver the best and safest road cycling network possible. Cycling leads to a healthier lifestyle, it helps to cut pollution and is a key part of my vision of the type of greener, more modern and affordable transport network we need in our city.”
Ben Plowden, TfL’s director of surface strategy and planning, said: “We’re really pleased to see the first Quietway open and ready for cyclists and pedestrians to use.
“The Quietway programme along quieter backstreets will help open up a whole new area of London for people walking and cycling and support non-polluting and healthy travel for commuting or leisure.”
16 June 2016