Feedback from the public is vital to making the changes work and Transport for London (TfL) is asking people to comment on the changes via their website
Construction work is planned to start next month. The trial changes, along the A23 between Oval and Streatham as well as on the CS7 cycle route between Oval and Elephant & Castle, will open up these two key cycling corridors.
Cllr Claire Holland, Deputy Leader of Lambeth Council (Sustainable Transport, Environment and Clean Air), said: ”This is good news for our borough and furthers our aims of reducing danger for people who cycle as well as boosting bus journey efficiency.
“Changes to main roads in Lambeth, together with area-wide low traffic neighbourhoods on our local streets, are the only way we make Lambeth into a borough whereby everyone has access to affordable and safe mobility options.
“I would encourage people in Lambeth to feed back to TfL on how the changes are working whilst the experimental schemes are in place.”
The changes are a vital part of TfL’s response to the coronavirus pandemic.
The A23 between Oval and Streatham is a vital link between some of southwest and central London, but it can be a very busy and intimidating environment for people cycling, particularly the huge numbers of people across London who have begun or restarted cycling during the coronavirus pandemic. From March, TfL will be:
- Widening bus lanes at stops to make it easier for people cycling to safely pass stationary buses
- Creating separate traffic signals for cyclists at key junctions in Brixton to give people cycling an earlier green light, and creating larger advanced stop lines for people cycling at other junctions
- New restrictions on a limited number of left turns for motor vehicles along the corridor to reduce conflict with people cycling
- Longer bus lanes will match the existing 24-hour trial operation to enable essential cycle journeys at all times, as well as improved bus times
The changes have been designed to benefit both people cycling and people using buses, with bus journeys set to be made quicker for people travelling through the area. The planned changes have been designed for rapid delivery and people cycling in the area will be able to use the upgraded route after four weeks of construction work, in April.
TfL will also be moving forward with further upgrades to the key CS7 cycle route, which is one of the most heavily used routes in London and has been improved during the coronavirus pandemic to support thousands of essential journeys in southwest London and beyond. The latest changes, between Oval and Elephant & Castle, will include:
- New cycle wands to segregate the existing cycle lanes on the westbound and southbound approaches to the Camberwell New Road/ Kennington Park Road junction
- New two-stage turn road markings for cyclists turning right at Camberwell New Road/Kennington Park Road/Harleyford Street junction, and early release signals for cyclists on the Camberwell New Road and Harleyford Street arms of the junction
- Wider bus lanes to make it easier for people to cycle in them
- Some changes to parking and loading bays on Kennington Park Road and Newington Butts
- A restricted left turn from Kennington Park Road into Kennington Lane (westbound) for all traffic except cyclists and Emergency Services, to reduce the likelihood of conflict between motor vehicles and people cycling
- New and longer bus lanes will match the existing 24-hour trial operation to enable essential cycle journeys at all times
Further engagement will begin later once the changes are in place and all feedback received from now onwards will be taken into consideration as part of this.
TfL will use this engagement to help it decide whether it is necessary to make any changes to the trial scheme once it is in place, and whether it should stay in place permanently.
Will Norman, London’s Walking & Cycling Commissioner, said: ”I’m really excited to share our next set of plans that will make sustainable transport safer in Southwark and Lambeth.
“Throughout the pandemic we have seen a significant increase in cycling as a form of essential travel and exercise, despite a huge drop in the number of journeys being made with Londoners staying at home.
“Protected cycle lanes, restricted turning movements and wider bus lanes will all reduce road danger for people riding bikes in this area.
“These changes will also extend cycling routes in southwest London and its surrounding areas, building on our growing cycle network. It’s really important we hear how these trial changes work for those travelling around the area, so I urge people to provide their feedback on the TfL website.”
To feedback please visit:
- A23 Lambeth to Oval scheme at https://consultations.tfl.gov.uk/general/a703929d/
- CS7 upgrade scheme at https://consultations.tfl.gov.uk/general/e9fd1791/
