Changes to Cycle Lane to Wandsworth Town to Be Made Permanent
Cycleway 8 provides a link with Chelsea Bridge
'Significant increase' in cyclists since changes made on Cycleway 8. Picture: TfL
Transport for London (TfL) has announced that it intends to make a temporary cycle scheme introduced during the pandemic permanent.
The segregated cycle lanes and new section of bus lane between Chelsea Bridge and Wandsworth town centre saw a ‘significant increase’ in cyclists on Battersea Park Road with an average of over 2,000 using it on weekdays.
It claims that results from the trial found that, overall, there was no noticeable disruption to bus journey times and no “significant problems” for general traffic flow as a result of the changes.
This contradicted feedback given by people responding to the consultation on the changes. Over half of those who gave an opinion either way said that traffic wasn’t flowing as well and that congestion had increased. Only 15% of respondents believed that traffic congestion had reduced.
325 people responded to the consultation which took place in the second half of last year with 43% saying they were cycling more and 45% saying that they felt the scheme had made it safer to walk or cycle.
TfL will now supersede the Experimental Traffic Order that was used to install the route with a permanent one which will mean that it will no longer be subject to continual review.
Measures introduced include the widening of cycle lanes on Battersea Park Road and light segregation in some sections as well as extending advanced stop lines at junctions. Battersea Park Road was also made a 20mph zone. New widened cycle lanes were provided on York Road with light segregation in some sections and a new section of bus lane was provided, operating 24 hours a day. The scheme also banned turns from York Road into York Place and a 20 mph speed limit was introduced on York Road.
Feedback given by respondents to the consultation. Picture: TfL
Will Norman, London’s Walking and Cycling Commissioner, said: “We’ve seen a huge rise in walking and cycling over the past two years as more and more Londoners enjoy using sustainable ways to get around the capital. To maintain this success, we are continuing to make our roads safer as we build a better London for everyone. I’m delighted that these cycle schemes have been made permanent, enabling even more Londoners to choose greener, cleaner and healthier modes of transport.”
As part of the long-term funding settlement agreed between the Government and TfL at the end of August, TfL is required to “continue to deliver” active travel schemes that encourage walking and cycling.
The Department for Transport has ringfenced around £80 million of funding per year for TfL to deliver such schemes.
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September 7, 2022