TfL has published a report on its consultation into a scheme to make it easier to walk and cycle in Nine Elms, with 60 per cent strongly supporting the new cycling infrastructure.

The changes will bring a mix of protected and mandatory cycle lanes to the area, as well as improvements to the Queenstown Road junction and improved pedestrian crossings. 

Wandsworth Council and local developers are funding the work. 

The eastern end of the Nine Elms area has seen significant development in recent years, including a new station on the Northern line. The changes would help connect the new and existing neighbourhoods west of Nine Elms to London’s growing network of high-quality Cycleways. The changes are being funded by Wandsworth Council and local developers, with funding from both playing an essential role in making recently developed areas better places to live for both new and existing residents. 

The plans for Battersea Park Road will deliver the following: 

· 150m of protected cycle tracks with physical segregation in response to feedback on earlier designs which had a mix of advisory and mandatory cycle lanes with no physical protection 

· Improvements at Queenstown Road junction, including: 

· early release on all arms of the junction so that people cycling can move off before general traffic 

· dedicated cycle lanes guiding people cycling across the junction going both east and west 

· a cycle gate for people cycling eastbound

· New 20mph limits along the whole of Battersea Park Road 

· Improved ‘straight across’ pedestrian crossings at the junctions with Queenstown Road and Prince of Wales Drive 

· New bus shelters featuring real-time bus information for stops serving Battersea Park station 

· One-way entry to Meath Street from Battersea Park Road 

· Relocation of existing loading and parking arrangements from the main road to the side roads 

Feedback from people who responded to the consultation showed that 67 per cent believed the scheme would encourage many or some more people to cycle, with 53 per cent saying the same about walking. The consultation also showed that 60 per cent of respondents strongly supported the proposed new cycling infrastructure the scheme would deliver. 

Battersea Park Road links directly with the CS8 cycle route, which is in the top five per cent of routes in London with the greatest potential for people to cycle. The proposals on Battersea Park Road will build on recent upgrades to other cycle routes in the area by connecting the existing Cycleways of CS8 in Battersea to CS5 in Vauxhall, through Nine Elms and onwards to Wandsworth town centre. People walking will benefit from straight across signalised crossings and improved public spaces. 

Helen Cansick, TfL’s Head of Healthy Streets Investment, said: “We’re determined to ensure that everyone in London can walk and cycle safely, and these changes will be an important new addition to the capital’s network of high-quality Cycleways, as well as making it easier to walk and cross this busy road. I’d like to thank everyone who took part in the consultation for their feedback, and we’ll continue to work on our plans for Nine Elms to ensure people have even better options for accessing the area sustainably and affordably.” 

Councillor Clare Fraser, Wandsworth Council Cabinet Member for Transport, said: “These plans help support this key area of Battersea and will provide transport improvements to cycling and bus infrastructure as well as pedestrian crossings. I’m also pleased to see that the whole of Battersea Park Road will be 20mph under this scheme. 

“TfL has developed these plans in response to feedback from local residents, businesses and schools, which is crucial to shape the future of our streets. We want better local walking and cycling routes so that people feel confident about choosing more sustainable travel options, which are also healthier and cheaper to use.” 

 

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