Transport for London is to push on with plans to build a segregated cycle route from Charlton to Woolwich, picking up on proposals outlined before the pandemic.
A two-way segregated cycleway will be built along the A206 from Anchor & Hope Lane in Charlton to the Woolwich Ferry roundabout, connecting with the route put in between Greenwich and Charlton during the pandemic.
Today’s announcement reopens the possibility of a safer cycle route stretching all the way from London Bridge to Woolwich. Stretches of Cycleway 4 from London Bridge to Rotherhithe Tunnel and through Deptford are already open, along with the Greenwich-Charlton route.
TfL is also promising new pedestrian crossings over the A206 as well as footway widening at selected locations to make it easier to walk.
A consultation which took place in January 2020 showed that 77 per cent of people responding believed the planned changes would result in more people cycling, while 70 per cent said the same about walking, TfL said.
But TfL has also shelved proposals to rip out the Angerstein roundabout in east Greenwich. The transport body had suggested that it could return the junction to a more traditional arrangement with traffic lights. During the pandemic a cycle crossing was put in place running across the roundabout.
It said: “Should we decide to take forward a more transformational scheme in future, we will consider the issues raised as part of this public consultation in the design process. A final design proposal would then be subject to a new public consultation.”
Construction of the Charlton to Woolwich route could begin in spring 2024, subject to funding.
Helen Capstick, TfL’s head of healthy streets investment, said: “The proposed route between Greenwich and Woolwich will make it even easier for people to cycle around the local area, into central London and beyond. We’ll continue to work closely with the Royal Borough of Greenwich on our plans to ensure everyone can benefit from investment in new infrastructure.”
Will Norman, the mayor’s walking and cycling commissioner, said: “We’ve seen a huge rise in walking and cycling over recent years as more and more Londoners enjoy using sustainable ways to get around the capital, and we will continue to work with boroughs, like Greenwich, to introduce measures to make it easier for people to cycle.
“I’d like to thank residents who fed into this consultation which showed that a remarkable 77 per cent of people believed the planned changes would result in more people cycling. With their support we can continue to build safer and more appealing cycle routes to travel around London.”
Work is continuing to alter parts of the existing Greenwich to Charlton cycle route to make it safer, although complaints continue that the junction at Vanbrugh Hill remains dangerous. Pressed on the issue by Maisie Richards Cottell, an East Greenwich councillor, at last night’s Greenwich Council meeting, Averil Lekau, the borough’s deputy leader, admitted that conditions there remained “challenging” and said that she would continue to press TfL on the issue.
Lekau also said she would continue to press TfL on the Angerstein roundabout and would work with local councillors on the matter.
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