Two-Way Cycling Proposal For One-Way Streets


Allowing cyclist to ride both ways down nine one-way roads

A consultation is set to take place later this year on whether cyclists could be allowed to ride both ways down nine one-way streets in Wandsworth.
 
Proposals to allow bikes to pass through five ‘no through road’ junctions could also be part of the listening exercise.
 
On September 16th councillors on the Strategic Planning and Transportation Committee backed plans to gauge local option on the roads affected. The executive will make a final decision on September 23rd.
 
If residents support the schemes the council could then develop detailed designs.
 
The nine roads where ‘contra-flow’ cycling facilities are proposed are:
 

  • Trinity Crescent, SW17 (Nightingale)
  • Flowersmead, SW17 (Nightingale)
  • Thrale Road, SW16 (Furzedown)
  • Abercrombie Street, SW11 ( Latchmere)
  • Atherton Street, SW11 (Latchmere)
  • Candahar Road, SW11 (Latchmere)
  • Cairns Road, SW11 (Northcote)
  • Furmage Street, SW18 (Earlsfield)
  • Harbut Road, SW11 (Fairfield)

All the roads being considered have relatively low traffic volumes and introducing two-way cycling should require minor changes to road signs and road markings.
 
The five ‘no through roads’ where changes are proposed to allow bikes through are:
 
  • Orbel Street / Surrey Lane, SW11 (St Mary's Park)
  • Swaffield Road / Brocklebank Health Centre, SW18 (Earlsfield/Wandsworth Common)
  • Thessaly Road / Battersea Park Road, SW8 (Queenstown)
  • Eltringham Street / York Road roundabout, SW18 (Latchmere)
  • Barmouth Road / Allfarthing Lane, SW18 (Wandsworth Common)

In most cases cyclists could be allowed to pass with the introduction of dropped kerbs and cycle route markings.
 
Cllr Russell King, Wandsworth Council’s transport spokesman, said: “These changes could make it easier and safer for cyclists to get around the borough and would be relatively simple to introduce. Before taking the proposals any further we need to find out what people living on these streets feel about the potential changes and give them a chance to raise their concerns. The benefits must be carefully weighed against the impacts.”
 
September 20, 2013