TfL has set out plans to make a series of trial changes the new Cycleway 4 route, in a bid to ‘enable safer essential journeys’ between London Bridge, Rotherhithe and beyond.
Cycleway 4 is the ‘first major protected cycle route’ in southeast London, currently running as two sections between Tower Bridge Road and Rotherhithe, and Greenwich and Angerstein Roundabout.
Construction work started in July 2019 and the first section of the route was completed in September 2020.
The trial changes centre around the London Bridge station area, and are part of TfL’s emergency response to the coronavirus pandemic.
They include:
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- Sections of light cycle segregation with wands in both directions, along Tooley Street and Duke Street Hill, as well as extended advanced stop lines for people cycling
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- The eastbound arm of Tooley Street will be closed near the London Bridge Hospital and will become a new pedestrian space.
- Some changes for general traffic including a new left turn ban into Queen Elizabeth Street (except for local buses, taxis and cycles)
While the trial changes are being delivered from March via experimental traffic orders, people are being invited to submit their initial feedback on the changes via the TfL website.
A more extensive engagement process will begin later once the changes are in place. TfL will use this engagement to help it decide whether it is necessary to make any changes to the trial scheme once it is in place, and whether it should stay in place permanently.
Will Norman, London’s walking and cycling commissioner, said: “Recent TfL data shows that many Londoners have turned to cycling during the pandemic as a way to exercise and make essential journeys, so it is vital that they are able to do so safely.
“The trial changes being made to extend Cycleway 4 will enable more people to cycle safely and easily around London Bridge and beyond, building upon measures already taken to extend the route between Greenwich and Charlton.
“I urge people to submit their feedback now and take part in the engagement, so we can ensure these changes work for all those living, working and travelling in the area.”
05 February 2021