Cyclists invited to have their say on new London Cycle Superhighway

Consultation on London’s latest piece of cycle infrastructure – the next Barclays Cycle Superhighway – is now underway and Transport for London (TfL) is asking road users for their views.

The new Superhighway will run from New Cross Gate to Victoria and their are currently a number of proposals for what it should incorporate, including an ‘early start’ cycle facility at Vauxhall Bridge Road/Millbank where cyclists will be able to get ahead of traffic. Other proposals include an off-carriageway short cut for cyclists proposed at Vauxhall gyratory and over 3,000 new cycle parking spaces to be made available along the route.

TfL is seeking views on proposals on the route, which will link New Cross Gate, Peckham, Camberwell, Kennington, Vauxhall and Victoria – and hopefully boost cycle useage in the capital.

Safety is likely to be a key focus. The new Superhighway (CS5) is aiming to prevent turns of cars and lorries at some locations to reduce conflict with cyclists, extend the 20mph driving limit in New Cross and cycle safety checks ‘will be made available along the routes’.

The full public consultation that will run from today (December 3rd) to January 11th.

The Mayor and TfL are committed to delivering all 12 Barclays Cycle Superhighway routes by 2015.

According to a press statement from TfL, research has shown 80 per cent of Barclays Cycle Superhighway users agree they improve safety for cyclists. TfL will continue to provide free cycle training programmes for both cyclists and drivers which has seen 6,900 people receive free cycle training and a further 2,400 drivers of large goods vehicles receiving industry recognised training.

“Barclays Cycle Superhighways are a great way for commuter cyclists to travel into central London on safe, direct, continuous routes," TfL Surface Transport director of planning Ben Plowden. "A lot of work has been put in to ensuring these lanes are created using the themes emerging from the Better Junctions cycle safety review process to ensure the best possible improvements for cyclists.

"Since Barclays Cycle Superhighways were introduced in July 2010, the number of cyclists on all four routes during peak periods increased by an average of 77 per cent to September 2012. This is a great achievement and we hope that more Barclays Cycle Superhighways will encourage more people to take to two wheels in the capital. We want cyclists and people living along the proposed route to tell us what they think about the new Barclays Cycle Superhighway Route 5 and I would urge people to let us have their views.”