Image: TfL
TfL says work to transform the roads around Hammersmith gyratory will reduce danger to vulnerable road users at one of London’s most intimidating junctions.
The changes, developed in partnership with Hammersmith & Fulham Council, hope to build on the ‘huge increases’ in cycling seen in the Capital since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The key change is a new, protected two-way cycle track on the north side of Hammersmith gyratory.
TfL says the new Cycleway will open up safe and attractive cycling across west London to Gunnersbury, Chiswick, East Acton, North Acton and Ravenscourt Park.
Other changes include:
- Cyclist-specific signals at junctions to separate cyclists and motor vehicles
- Improvements for pedestrian safety at all junctions with side roads, including raised level crossings and more footway space
- New pedestrian crossing signals with ‘countdowns’ at the crossings of King Street, Beadon Road, Shepherd’s Bush Road, Queen Caroline Street, Hammersmith Road and Butterwick
- A new parallel crossing at the Butterwick junction to allow westbound cyclists to join the two-way cycle track
TfL says transforming roads such as the Hammersmith gyratory is essential to giving people walking and cycling the confidence to travel safely, as part of its Vision Zero goal of eliminating death and serious injury on the road network.
There were 30 collisions on the gyratory in the three-year period to December 2020, of which five involved someone cycling.
Julie Lewington, head of projects and programmes at TfL, said: ”Walking and cycling are absolutely essential to a more sustainable future for London and we know that there has been huge demand for cycling since the start of the pandemic.
“We’re determined to ensure that all Londoners have access to safe cycling routes and the changes at Hammersmith gyratory will make a big difference to people walking and cycling through this key artery in west London.
“We’ll continue to work with the Capital’s boroughs to make the case for more investment in schemes like these which enable more people to walk and cycle.”
14 July 2022