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The Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has this morning officially opened an extension to Cycle Superhighway 6. He rode on the cycleway alongside London’s cycling and walking commissioner Will Norman.
Khan, said:
“I’m delighted to be formally opening the extended Cycle Superhighway 6 – a high-quality route that enables people to cycle safely all the way from Kings Cross to Elephant and Castle, connecting key cycle routes through the heart of central London.
“On top of new segregated cycle track, eight junctions have also been transformed to reduce road danger for pedestrians and ensure all road users benefit from the new scheme.
“With London’s growing population and the continued damaging effects of air pollution on Londoners, it is essential we build the infrastructure to enable more people to walk and cycle as part of their everyday routine."
Dr Ashok Sinha, London Cycling Campaign’s CEO said: “People can now cycle from Elephant and Castle to Kings Cross without encountering dangerous road conditions, taking away the fear of collisions that stops many more people from enjoying the convenience and pleasure of getting around by bike.
“Today’s opening is a big step by the Mayor and TfL towards creating a London-wide network of safe, comfortable cycle routes, which will cut congestion, reduce air pollution and help people live healthy and active lives. It is also an important step towards fulfilling the Mayor’s pledge to triple the mileage of main road cycle tracks during his term.”
The extension to Cycle Superhighway 6 is a 2.5km route between Farringdon and King’s Cross, and the extension means that Cycle Superhighway 6 now connects Elephant & Castle all the way up to Kings Cross, passing through key transport hubs such as Blackfriars and Farringdon stations. The total length of CS6 is now 5km. The extension includes separated cycleways on on Farringdon Road
The new route, delivered in partnership with Islington and Camden councils, further expands London’s growing cycle network, including connecting to the recently launched Quietway 2, and linking to upcoming cycle and pedestrian improvements on Clerkenwell Road, Judd Street, Euston Road and Midland Road.
An analysis from Greater London Authority found that if every Londoner walked or cycled for 20 minutes a day, it would save the NHS £1.7bn in treatment costs over the next 25 years.
Eight junctions along the route have been transformed to reduce road danger. There are seven new pedestrian crossings with signals, including at all arms of the Charterhouse Street junction, and improvements at the West Smithfield / Snow Hill / Farringdon Street junction, formally one of the most dangerous in the Capital.
Ben Plowden, TfL’s Director of Strategy and Network Development, said:
“Cycling has real potential to transform how people travel around London, improving air quality and health whilst easing congestion and making journeys quicker. We’re determined to make sure that every Londoner has access to safe, high quality cycle routes and this new extension to CS6 will connect even more people to the heart of the capital and London’s expanding cycling network.”
Councillor Adam Harrison, Cabinet Member for Improving Camden’s Environment, said:
“CS6 provides a continuous route for cyclists from Stonecutter Street – just north of Fleet Street – right up to King’s Cross. It has been delivered through successful joint working between Camden, Islington and TfL.
“The route allows cyclists to travel north and south via quiet back streets through a combination of dedicated cycle lanes and improved access for bike users. When put alongside the new, wider pavements and new pedestrian crossings, all this adds up to greater safety for cyclists and a better environment for pedestrians.
“Beyond King’s Cross, we next plan to allow cyclists to safely cross the busy Euston Road and travel along Midland Road to connect up to Kentish Town via segregated cycle lanes at Pancras Road and Royal College Street.
“Schemes such as these reflect Camden Council’s great commitment to healthier, more affordable forms of travel like cycling and walking.”
Cllr Claudia Webbe, Islington Council’s executive member for environment and transport, said:
“This vital new superhighway extension removes traffic to provide a dedicated protected cycle lane, so cyclists can travel much more safely along main roads from King’s Cross, though Islington at Farringdon, to Elephant and Castle.
“We want to make cycling in Islington as safe and simple as possible, with routes that are convenient, easy and direct, so anybody with access to a bike can cycle.
“This has been a brilliant opportunity to work closely with Camden, TfL and the Mayor of London to create more enjoyable space for walking and enable this major improvement to London’s cycle network, which creates a much better route for cyclists to travel along main roads between the north and south of our city.”
