Public asked to comment on plans for new cycle route linking Greenwich to Woolwich

By Lachlan Leeming, BBC Local Democracy Correspondent

Ambitious plans aimed at overhauling transport in Greenwich – making travel safer for bikers and pedestrians – have been opened for public comment.

Transport for London (TfL) on Monday began consultation on the scheme, which would see a new, fully segregated cycle route added for 2.5 kilometres alongside the A206 between Greenwich and Woolwich.

Stretching from Anchor and Hope Lane to the Woolwich Ferry roundabout, the new cycle route would connect to Cycleway 4 and Greenwich Town Centre, creating a continuous route from Woolwich to Tower Bridge.

Members of the public are being consulted on work between Charlton and Woolwich which would include:

• A new two-way, fully segregated high quality 2.5km cycle way, which would run along the A206 Woolwich Road
• Six new pedestrian crossings with improvements to a number of others along the route, serving key local communities, schools, the Woolwich Ferry and Warspite Road, where a pedestrian was killed in a collision in 2018
• Extending the existing bus lanes
• Widening the pavement at a number of locations, to give people walking more space

Councillor Denise Scott McDonald, cabinet member for air quality, sustainability and transport, said the borough had embraced the move.

She said: “We welcome the plans to build a cycle way that would run between Greenwich and Woolwich. This is a great opportunity that will make it easier and safer for people to travel on foot, by cycle or public transport. These proposals will also support the council’s commitment to reducing air pollution and vehicle congestion.”

According to TfL, the proposals are an important part of the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan’s Transport Strategy. The plan aims to cut down on traffic as well as improving safety and air quality between Greenwich and Woolwich.

A public consultation held last year for Cycleway 4, which linked Tower Bridge with Greenwich Town Centre, saw more than 80 per cent of respondents support the move.

Pending the outcome of the most recent public consultation, TfL predicts work on the scheme could start in 2021 and would take around a year to complete.

Residents have been asked to provide their feedback by February 16, and can do so by filling in the survey at the Transport for London website or emailing consultations@tfl.gov.uk.

Transport for London will also hold four public drop-in sessions where people can view the proposals, speak to members of the project team and ask questions. They are on:

Wednesday, January 22, noon until 7pm, Triumph Room, Clockhouse Community Centre, Defiance Walk, Royal Arsenal, London SE18 5QL
Saturday, January 25, 12.30pm until 5.30pm, Greenwich Room, Clockhouse Community Centre, Defiance Walk, Royal Arsenal, London SE18 5QL
Tuesday, January 28, noon until 7pm, Greenwich Suite, The Valley, Floyd Road, Charlton, London SE7 8BL
Saturday, February 8, 11am until 4pm, Greenwich Suite, The Valley, Floyd Road, Charlton, London SE7 8BL