New Cycle Lanes Planned Through Shepherd's Bush


Route would create segregated path from Wood Lane to Notting Hill


CGI of proposed cycle route in Wood Lane

Details of plans for a new segregated cycling path through Shepherd' Bush have been released by Transport for London (TfL).

They have started a public consultation into a 2.4 mile two way route which will link up with the cycleway currently under construction between Acton and Wood Lane which is set to be completed at the end of the year.

The proposed scheme, which would extend the corridor eastwards from Wood Lane to Notting Hill Gate, creating a 4.6 mile route in total. TfL say their analysis has shown that west London is an area of high demand for active travel, where people want to be able to walk and cycle more often.

They have abandoned the term cycle superhighway for schemes like this because they wish cycling infrastructure to be seen as something that will encourage more people to take up active travel as opposed to improving travel times for faster moving commuters. In fact according to TfL' own modelling the new cycle lanes would actually increase travel time for cyclists in the morning rush although they predict 2 to 3 minutes would be saved by anyone cycling home in the evening rush.

Other traffic will be significantly impacted in the morning rush hour with TfL predicting that the travel time will increase by up to 10 minutes from Lancaster Gate to Wood Lane with less severe delays in the evening. However, their analysis shows that travel times eastbound will be reduced slightly. TfL say that their modelling presumes that motorists will opt to use other routes when the scheme is up and running.


CGI of proposed cycle route at Shepherd's Bush Green

The impact on buses is fairly neutral with some westbound routes including the 94 seeing increased journey times in the morning but many routes likely to see reductions.

The scheme also include a number of new and upgraded pedestrian crossings and some side roads will be made entry or exit only. Changes will need to be made to some bus stop locations and new bus stop bypasses for people cycling.

The consultation for the improvements will be open until 12 June for people to have their say and is available on the TfL website.

Public exhibitions about the routes will take place at St George's Church Campden Hill on 13 May and 20 May and at the Bush Theatre in Shepherd's Bush on 5 June and 8 June.

Will Norman, London's Walking and Cycling Commissioner, said, “These improvements would enable many more people to walk and cycle which is vital to reduce car use and clean up London' toxic air.

“By creating new pedestrian crossings, moving bus stops to better locations and making it safer to cycle, we will make streets much more accessible and welcoming for everyone who lives, works or visits the area.”

Casey Abaraonye, Coordinator at Hammersmith and Fulham Cyclists, said, “These improvements are a brilliant opportunity to create a healthier and happier west London. They will create neighbourhoods where people working or visiting the many schools, hospitals and shops will be able easily walk or cycle their journeys, reducing air pollution and supporting the town centres, making them better to enjoy and experience.”


CGI of route on Holland Park Avenue

Cllr Wesley Harcourt, Hammersmith & Fulham Council' Cabinet Member for Environment, said, “Any scheme like this needs to strike the right balance between the needs of all road users, including pedestrians. So we would urge all residents to have their say on the details of this scheme. We support cycling and walking as a means of cutting pollution”

In December 2018, the Mayor's Cycle Action Plan set out targets for bringing the capital's cycling network to even more Londoners, ensuring a high standard for cycle routes and significantly increasing the number of cycle journeys made.

Despite current budgetary constraints TfL and the Mayor have committed to expanding the capital's cycle network at pace and increasing the proportion of Londoners who live within 400 metres of the cycling network to 28 per cent by 2024, up from nine per cent.

Construction work on two major new routes, between Brentford and Olympia, and Tower Bridge Road and Greenwich, is set to begin later this year.

Details of the proposals for Wood Lane, Shepherd' Bush, Holland Park and Notting Hill are on TfL' web site.

 

May 1, 2019