Overwhelming support for extension of North-South Cycle Superhighway

Transport for London has today published the results of a public consultation into plans for an extension of the North-South Cycle Superhighway, CS6. There were 1,391 responses, including from organisations, with 53 percent of the respondents fully supporting the proposals and 70 percent who gave partial support. 28 percent of respondents did not support the plans.

London Mayor Sadiq Khan now wants to see scheme proceed and has asked TfL to work with boroughs, community groups and other stakeholders to resolve issues raised in the consultation.

The new section is from the junction of Stonecutter Street to King’s Cross and would link with the first section of the Superhighway, which opened in April running from Elephant and Castle and crossing Blackfriars Bridge.

The full length of the substantially segregated cycle route will be five kilometres from end to end. In the King’s Cross area, the route will connect with the Central London Grid, which will provide connections to Camden Town and Swiss Cottage, and to Quietway 2 to Waltham Forest via Islington and Hackney.

Pedestrians will also benefit from the plans with 1,665sqm of new footway along the route, as well as 14 new and upgraded signalised pedestrian crossings with tactile paving and pedestrian countdown.

On Vauxhall Bridge, over which Cycle Superhighway 5 runs, there has been a 73 per cent increase year on year in the number of cyclists during rush hour. On the section of the North South Cycle Superhighway on Blackfriars Bridge, cyclist numbers have increased by 55 per cent and 70 per cent of all vehicles on the bridge are now cycles at the busiest times.

Khan, said: “I want to make London a by-word for cycling around the world. Encouraging more Londoners to cycle by making it safer and easier benefits all of us – helping cleaning up London’s toxic air pollution, improving our health, and helping to tackle congestion on our roads.

“The extension of North-South Cycle Superhighway to King’s Cross will make a big difference joining up existing and planned safe cycle routes in this part of London. It will provide thousands more Londoners with an easier and safer cycling route in central London. 

“Of course, there are lessons to be learned from how previous routes were delivered, including reducing the impact of construction on all road users. I have therefore asked TfL to look very carefully at issues raised by the public to make sure they are properly considered during the process.”

Khan has written to the chief executive of the Royal National Institute of the Blind (RNIB) following concerns raised during the consultation about changes to pedestrian crossings and the impact on visually impaired people. He confirmed that the signal-controlled crossing outside the RNIB headquarters on Judd Street near Euston Road will not be changed.

Cllr Claudia Webbe, Islington Council’s executive member for environment and transport, said: “This will be a welcome and important addition to Islington’s cycling network, connecting the borough to the rest of London on segregated safe routes – something we have spent a long time pushing for.

“I am glad that the majority of people are in favour of the plans, which will also benefit pedestrians, improve Islington’s overall air quality and encourage more people to cycle, with all the health and environmental gains that brings.

“We fully support the route and given the huge success of the consultation, it is worth taking the extra time with Camden, TfL and the Mayor of London to get it right.”

Councillor Phil Jones, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Transport and Planning at Camden Council said: “It’s crucial that we provide new high quality cycle routes to give more people the option to cycle safely. Not only is this a healthy and low cost choice for individuals but it also helps tackle London’s air pollution and reduce overcrowding on public transport.

“I welcome the strong public support for the North-South Cycle Superhighway and we will work with TfL and the local community to get the plans right.”