Work starts on two new London cycle superhighways

Work has started on the delivery of two new Barclays Cycle Superhighways in London. The routes from Wandsworth to Westminster and Bow to Aldgate are scheduled to become fully operational in the summer of 2011 and pilot studies  indicate they will lead to a 25 increase in cycle journeys along their length.

Barclays Cycle Superhighways give cyclists clearly marked, direct and continuous cycle routes into central London. The work which started yesterday will involve resurfacing to provide a smoother journey for cyclists, and kerb improvements at Armoury Way on the Wandsworth to Westminster route.

As well as creating highly visible blue cycle lanes along both of the new routes at a minimum of 1.5m wide, other works scheduled to make it easier and safer to commute by bike include:
• Introducing 24 new Advanced Stop Lines at junctions along both routes, providing a space for cyclists to wait at lights ahead of the queue of traffic;
• Making modifications to 30 junctions along both routes to make them safer for cyclists, for example at the junction of Cambridge Heath Road and Whitechapel Road. Subject to a successful trial along the pilot routes, TfL is planning to install cycle safety mirrors known as ‘Trixi’ mirrors at this location. Proposals also include upgrading the traffic signal equipment, and assessing the possible removal of existing left-turn slip roads;
• Providing a quicker and safer way for cyclists to travel across the Bow Roundabout on the Bow to Aldgate route;
• Introducing a clearly marked diversionary route so that cyclists can avoid the busy junction of Battersea Park Road and Queenstown Road on the Wandsworth to Westminster route;
• Introducing mandatory cycle lanes wherever possible, including along 25 per cent of the Wandsworth to Westminster route.

The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, said: “The two pilot Superhighways routes are a-buzz with cyclists following the blue lanes to get to and from work each day. These two new routes are set to give thousands more Londoners a taste of commuting by bicycle on our Superhighways, which provide cyclists with faster, safer, direct, continuous routes into central London.”