TfL sets out cycle route changes amid emergency Covid-19 response

Transport for London (TfL) has set out plans to make a series of  trial  changes extend the new Cycleway 4 route to enable safer essential journeys as part of an emergency response to the coronavirus pandemic.

TfL is asking people for their initial  feedback on the plans ahead of construction work starting in early March.

This follows the recent start of construction work on a further trial extension to the route in South East London, between Angerstein  Roundabout and Charlton.

Construction work on Cycleway 4 started in July 2019 and the first section of the route, completed in September 2020, is already connecting neighbourhoods in South East London to central London via a fully protected cycle route between Tower Bridge Road and Rotherhithe.

TfL is working to build  trial  schemes which enable more people to walk and cycle and help to maintain space on public transport for those who need it.

Trial changes planned for Tooley Street and Duke Street Hill as part of this emergency response include:

• 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
• The East bound arm of Tooley Street will be closed near the London Bridge Hospital and will become a  new  pedestrian space. It will mean the large numbers of people walking who exit from London Bridge station and cross Duke Street Hill will have more room and fewer roads to cross when travelling east
• Some changes for general traffic including a new left turn ban into Queen Elizabeth Street (except for local buses, taxis and cycles) which will reduce  the risk of road danger and protect people cycling from the potential of being injured by vehicles turning left

London Bridge is one of the capital’s busiest rail and Tube stations and TfL is anticipating an increase in people arriving at London Bridge station wanting to continue their onward journeys  by foot or cycle, when lockdown measures are eased and public transport capacity is used by those who need it most.

Tooley Street is on a key strategic cycling corridor and is in the top five per cent for current and future cycling demand in London.

TfL hope that by creating this  trial  extension to the Cycleway 4 route will help to maximise the role played by London’s existing cycle network in supporting  those who need to travel.

TfL recently started construction work on the second phase of an extension to Cycleway 4 between  Greenwich and Charlton, which will trial using cylinders to protect people cycling from motor traffic between the Angerstein Roundabout and Charlton.

This second phase builds on the 2km of trial cycle route that TfL previously completed in December 2020 between Greenwich and the Angerstein Roundabout.

This first phase  included  a protected route through the Roundabout, where a  man  was tragically killed cycling in 201

8. Several people have been seriously injured cycling along the busy route in recent years and the new infrastructure, which separates people on bikes from motor traffic, will give people confidence that they can cycle safely without having to mix with vehicles.

When this extension in Greenwich  is  complete, the new lanes will form part of an extended  Cycleway  4, which will connect Charlton and Greenwich.

Work  from Greenwich towards  central London also restarted in December 2020  along Creek Road. This includes the redesign of several junctions along Creek Road, a segregated two-way cycle track and the installation of new pedestrian crossings.

Will Norman, London’s Walking & 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.”