Support road.cc

Like this site? Help us to make it better.

news

Mayor and TfL accused of ignoring experts' recommendations on cycle safety at Bow roundabout

TfL advised in Jan 2010 to install traffic signals for cyclsits & separate cycle tracks at CS2 junction

Transport for London ignored recommendations that Bow roundabout needed to be made safer for cyclists by experts it commissioned over a year before two cyclists  were killed there it has been revealed by the London Cycling Campaign (LCC). The LCC is now demanding to know why TfL and the Mayor ignored their own experts' findings?

LCC chief executive Ashok Sinha said, “Documents show that Transport for London was clearly advised by its transport consultants, as well as by the London Cycling Campaign, to provide safe signalised crossings and off-carriageway cycle lanes at Bow roundabout.
“The Mayor has to explain why these measures were not carried out. We’re calling for an immediate redesign of the junction to reduce the road danger and prevent any more tragic deaths.”

According to the LCC Transport for London was given what it describes as "clear advice" by the civil engineering firm, Jacobs Consultancy in the implementation plan for Cycle Superhighway CS2. They recommended the installation of traffic signals specifically for cyclists and pedestrians, and that separate cycle tracks should be installed.

The LCC itself had advised as early as 2009 that something needed to be done about the roundabout to make it safer for cyclists. The organisation also contributed to the Jacobs' report and again warned of the need for alterations to be made in February of this year after seeing the design for the proposed Cycle Superhighway warning that the roundabout was a danger to cyclists.

Last week a 34 year old woman cyclist was killed at the junction when she was in collission with a tipper lorry, three weeks earlier Brian Dorling was killed at the same junction while cycling to work at the Olympic Park, this evening (Friday) a candlelit vigil was held at the roundabout in both their memories attended by members of Mr Dorling's family.

Transport for London is now apparently planning an urgent review of junctions, but as an LCC souce we spoke to commented "we need action on this junction right away and the straightforward options were outlined in this consultants report for TfL in Jan 2010".

TfL has a sorry record of ignoring it's own experts' reports when it comes to improving safety for cyclists and pedestrians on known blackspots having previously shelved recommendations regarding Blackfriars Bridge, the road layout around Kings Cross, and traffic on London's bridges.

 

road.cc's founder and first editor, nowadays to be found riding a spreadsheet. Tony's journey in cycling media started in 1997 as production editor and then deputy editor of Total Bike, acting editor of Total Mountain Bike and then seven years as editor of Cycling Plus. He launched his first cycling website - the Cycling Plus Forum at the turn of the century. In 2006 he left C+ to head up the launch team for Bike Radar which he edited until 2008, when he co-launched the multi-award winning road.cc - finally handing on the reins in 2021 to Jack Sexty. His favourite ride is his ‘commute’ - which he does most days inc weekends and he’s been cycle-commuting since 1994. His favourite bikes are titanium and have disc brakes, though he'd like to own a carbon bike one day.

Add new comment

7 comments

Avatar
fluffy_mike | 12 years ago
0 likes

It was a moving experience at the vigil last night, especially seeing the fortitude of the bereaved relatives who've been willing to put themselves in the media spotlight to highlight the danger at Bow

We must take our hats off to them for having the courage to do this at what must be an incredibly difficult time

There are some atmospheric photos on the LCC website

http://lcc.org.uk/articles/hundreds-turn-out-for-bow-vigil-but-transport...

Avatar
Paul M | 12 years ago
0 likes

What it needs is for the family of one or other of the two recent victims to pursue a claim for negligence/tort against TfL and seek damages against them. I have no idea how viable a civil claim against such a body is, and quite apart from the expense (depending on whether they use a contingent fee arrangement with a solicitor)they would have a very distressing time of it BUT the only thing which is ultimately going to get a body like TfL to sit up and take notice is to have their actions thoroughly exposed to teh light of day in a court of law.

I would make a contribution to a fighting fund, if asked.

Avatar
formereve replied to Paul M | 12 years ago
0 likes
Paul M wrote:

I would make a contribution to a fighting fund, if asked.

Well said Paul. I would do this too.

Avatar
OldRidgeback | 12 years ago
0 likes

It wouldn't be the first time TfL has ignored safety warnings. I've alerted TfL to the potential risks of a junction near my home and was told it had been assessed by an 'expert' and that it was fine. A few weeks later a driver lost control and a vehicle mounted the kerb. This was then followed by a pedestrian being struck by a bus running a red light. I've now been told the junction will be improved but that there is no budget available for the next financial year. It takes at least one fatality before the great and the good at TfL take any action.

Avatar
onlyonediane | 12 years ago
0 likes

Sadly this looks like a missed opportunity and safeguards were not introduced before this superhighway was commissioned. This must make very sad reading for the bereaved relatives. Also potentially a deserved banana skin for Boris Johnson in his attempt to get reelected. As a voter I will remember this gaffe and others when it comes to casting my vote!

Avatar
Tony Farrelly | 12 years ago
0 likes

Ta, headfirst I'd just changed that as you posted.

Avatar
headfirst | 12 years ago
0 likes

Title: *accused

Latest Comments