A cycle superhighway between Oval and Pimlico has been proposed in a bid to keep cyclists safe on one of London's most dangerous gyratories.
Transport for London launched a consultation today (July 9) to find out which of three route options people would prefer for the Barclays Cycle Superhighway between the famous Oval cricket ground and Vauxhall Bridge Road on the northern side of Vauxhall Bridge.
The continuous two-way and separated track will take cyclists through Vauxhall gyratory and across Vauxhall Bridge, removing one of the most significant barriers to cycling in London. There will also be more space for pedestrians, with around one sq km of new footpath.
The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, said: “In my Cycling Vision I promised the worst and most dangerous junctions would be made safe for cyclists. Vauxhall is the first. In the same week London hosted the Tour de France , I am perhaps even more excited by this scheme, which will help ordinary cyclists every day for years to come.”
With around 3,000 cyclists using the bridge per rush hour alone, cyclists make up almost a quarter of the traffic at that time in the morning and evening. However cyclists have to manoeuvre multiple times in the middle of often fast-flowing traffic.
Westminster City Council is asking for opinions on three routes between Pimlico and Belgravia on the other side of the bridge:
- Option One: cyclists in both directions travel using contra-flow cycle lanes on Belgrave Road, Eccleston Street and Belgrave Place
- Option Two: northbound cyclists travel on Belgrave Road, Eccleston Street and Belgrave Place while southbound cyclists would travel on Lyall Street, Elizabeth Street and St George’s Drive. Segregated tracks and new traffic signals will be built to separate cyclists from coaches near Victoria and Bulleid Way coach stations;
- Option Three: as option two, but southbound cyclists turn right from Lyall Street into Ebury Street, then use Cundy Street, Ebury Square, Ebury Bridge, Sutherland Street and Lupus Street.
Heather Acton, Westminster City Council's cycling boss, said: “We are committed to the important task of making cycling in London easier and safer and will continue to work closely with TfL to do just that. A huge number of residents, businesses and road users will be directly affected by these proposals, and this consultation gives them a real chance to shape the future of the area.”
The new cycle track would require two sections of general traffic lane removed as well as a short section of bus lane.
TfL's analysis shows the scheme would mean some delays for motorists and bus users but traffic management, enforcement and debottlenecking other parts of the route to reduce delays.
The consultation launch comes two days after Wandsworth Council announced plans for a Nine Elms to Pimlico cycling and pedestrian bridge but this plan is nothing to do with the Nine Elms development.
People have until August 17 to respond to the consultation available here .
