Plans for a new cycle route through Greenwich’s traffic-choked town centre have been announced – but the existing direct route through the Old Royal Naval College grounds does not feature in the proposals.

Greenwich Council’s “interim” scheme for the town centre involves creating a two-way cycle lane at College Approach, on the north side of the one-way system around the market. 

Riders heading towards Deptford would then have to turn right towards the Cutty Sark and left into Welland Street, where a playground on the Meridian Estate would be moved to allow the cycle lane to pass through.

The path would continue along Thames Street and turn into Norway Street before joining the Cycleway 4 path to Tower Bridge on Creek Road.

Pedestrian crossings in the town centre would be raised, while the council would also look at putting planting in place along College Approach. The gyratory would remain in place. 

Early morning scene in Greenwich with empty streets
Riders would come off College Approach and head north – towards the camera – on. Greenwich Church Street. Image: The Greenwich Wire

But while the two-way route appears to be aimed at stopping cyclists from using Cutty Sark Gardens as a cut-through, they would still have to use the pedestrianised area to reach it.

Consultation materials show that cyclists would be asked to use a path around the north of the Old Royal Naval College, rather than College Way, the existing route through the centre of the site.

Cyclists have been able to use the broad, direct path through the Naval College since June 2020, when a “streetspace” route was opened by Transport for London to give both pedestrians and cyclists a safe, socially-distanced alternative to the narrow river path or the busy Romney Road during the coronavirus crisis.

Old Royal Naval College footpath
Cyclists would be directed to use the northern route through the Old Royal Naval College. Image: The Greenwich Wire

At the time, its opening was called a “massive step forward” by Danny Thorpe, the leader of Greenwich Council at the time. But that step forward may now be reversed – denting claims that the plans would create a continuous route from Charlton all the way to Tower Bridge. 

In April 2021, when security guards were briefly preventing cyclists from using College Way, the Old Royal Naval College said that while cyclists could use it, the “designated route” was to the north of the site.

A spokesperson told The Greenwich Wire on Monday: “Since 2006, a licence has been granted to operate a designated cycle path through the Old Royal Naval College along the northern perimeter (along the river).

“During the pandemic, College Way was temporarily used as a cycle route while the site was closed to the public. Although some cyclists continue to use College Way as a shortcut through the site, the official designated cycle path remains along the riverside. This route runs from the gate at Cutty Sark Gardens to Trafalgar Gate at Park Row.”

Calum O’Byrne Mulligan, a Creekside councillor, said on social media that there had been “a lot of effort” to get College Way officially recognised but the Naval College “won’t budge”. He predicted that cyclists would continue to use College Way.

Greenwich Council was asked for a comment on Monday morning. On Wednesday morning, it said: “The proposed route through the Old Royal Naval College, which is private land owned by the Greenwich Foundation, is similar to that already agreed in licences granted in 2006, keeping the continuous, high-quality cycle route while making improvements.”

Map of Greenwich with cycle route marked
The planned cycle route. Image: Greenwich Council

How to tackle the traffic in Greenwich town centre has vexed policy-makers for decades. In the 1960s a bypass under Greenwich Park was considered, in the 1980s a bypass under the Thames was briefly put forward. 

More recently Greenwich Council has sought to remove the gyratory – with one plan proposed and then shelved before the 2012 Olympics – but has come up against the problem of how to keep access for traders and shopkeepers around Greenwich Market. 

Map of Collage Approach with cycle lane plan
What’s planned for College Approach. Image: The Greenwich Wire

This scheme would include loading bays for market traders on College Approach, but remove some parking spaces. Work could start in the autumn.

“Providing a route along Creek Road remains a key part of the long-term liveable neighbourhood project,” the council said. “This work requires more significant changes to the road network in the town centre to ensure the introduction of a cycle lane does not unduly impact bus journey times and congestion. This scheme is being proposed as an interim solution while the wider scheme is taken forward.”

A consultation into the proposals has opened on the Commonplace website while there will be public sessions at the University of Greenwich’s Stockwell Street Building (February 12, 5pm to 8pm) and the Meridian Adventure Play Centre (February 24, 5pm to 8pm). Online meetings will also be held on February 11 and 27. 

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Updated at 7.30pm on Monday to clarify the position on the Old Royal Naval College route, and at noon on Wednesday to include a belated response from Greenwich Council.