Imagine wide traffic-free routes dedicated to cyclists through the centre of London. Sounds like a dream? It may well become reality if the new Segregated Cycle Superhighway proposed by Transport For London gets the go-ahead.
Two routes are proposed, heading East-West and North-South and passing right through the middle of the capital. They would involve the construction of dedicated, mostly kerb-segregated cycle ways, a redesign of numerous road junctions, plus restrictions on access, parking and loading for motorised vehicles at various points along the routes.
The majority of the routes will use one lane or part of a lane on existing roads, and construct a kerb-bounded segregated pathway for cyclists. In some areas, for example around parliament square, the segregation will be removable for ceremonial and state occasions. Some sections of the segregated cycle superhighways will involve ‘Quietways’, back-street cycle routes along quiet roads.
Boris Johnson, the Mayor of London, said: “Bikes already make up 24 per cent of all rush-hour traffic in central London – hundreds of thousands of journeys every day that would otherwise be made by car or public transport. Because this isn’t just about cyclists. Getting more people on to their bikes will reduce pressure on the road, bus and rail networks, cut pollution, and improve life for everyone, whether or not they cycle themselves.”
Councillor Heather Acton, Cabinet Member for Sustainability and Parking at Westminster City Council said: “We are fully supportive of the Mayor’s vision to make cycling safer and easier in the capital and have worked closely with TfL on these proposals. However, the exact details of the routes are yet to be decided and we would encourage all residents and road users to give their views in response to this consultation.”
The consultation is now in progress, and if all goes well there are plans for work to start on the section between Tower Hill and Paddington in early 2015, with completion in 2016. You can have your say until the 9th November.
The East-West Segregated Cycle Superhighway
Running between Tower Hill and Acton, this segregated cycling superhighway will pass through Canary Wharf, Victoria Embankment, pass Parliament Square, through Hyde Park and over the Westway Flyover.
The North-South Segregated Cycle Superhighway
Starting at Elephant & Castle, this proposed route would connect with the existing Cycle Superhighway 7. It will run through St. George’s Circus, up Blackfriars Road and across Blackfriars Bridge where it would connect with the East-West Cycle Superhighway. From there it moves on to Kings Cross via Farringdon Road.
To find out more about each of the proposed segregated cycle superhighways, see the proposed routes and to have your say, visit the Cycle East-West page or the Cycle North-South page.
What do you think of the proposed Segregated Cycle Superhighways? Let us know in the comments section below.
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