Upgraded Uxbridge Road Cycle Lane Opened


Mixed reaction from locals to replacement of plastic barriers with wands


H&F's newest segregated cycle lane in Uxbridge Road, W12

An upgrade of the cycle lanes in Shepherd’s Bush has been completed with newly installed wands replacing the red plastic barriers along Uxbridge Road.

At over three foot tall, the reflective wands form a segregated lane to help guide motorists and aim to keep cyclists and e-scooter riders safe.

In case of an emergency, blue light services including ambulances and fire trucks are able to drive over the wands and use the cycle lane to bypass queuing traffic.

Not only bikes and e-scooters but mobility scooters as well can use the new protected lane.

The council says that as well serving as a layer of protection against moving traffic, the wands help keep the cycle lane clear of unwanted obstacles, including parked cars that would otherwise pose a safety risk, especially for beginner cyclists.


The bands can be crossed over by emergency service vehicles

The new wands are located between Godolphin Road and Shepherd’s Bush Green along Uxbridge Road, including:

North side:

336-298 Uxbridge Road, between Godolphin Road and Loftus Road bus stop
264-250 Uxbridge Road, around Tunis Road
236-230 Uxbridge Road, across from Tesco Express and the White Horse
216-206 Uxbridge Road, around Frithville Gardens
198-172 Uxbridge Road, between Bush Theatre and Wood Lane
164-122 Uxbridge Road along Shepherd’s Bush Green, between Wood Lane and Caxton Road.

South side:

between Godolphin Road and Warbeck Road
1-7 Uxbridge Road, between Wood Lane and Bush Theatre.


Mobility scooter and e-scooters can be used in the cycle lane

There has been a mixed reaction to the cycle lanes in the area which were first installed during lockdown as an experimental measure.

“It is lovely to see more cycling infrastructure in H&F," said A. Mangat, 48, who's been living in H&F for over ten years.

“Uxbridge Road and Wood Lane are busy roads, so providing visible protection for anyone using their own steam is to be applauded.

“The new wands have made the road look much bigger and cleaner. I really hope it encourages more H&F residents – and our lovely neighbours passing through – to cycle."

However, there has been a less positive reaction from some people locally including bus users. 29-year-old Khaled Ibrahimi, who works in Shepherd’s Bush said, “The bus is my only option to get to work and I have been using he same route for years. There has been so much change recently that it is difficult to judge the impact of these cycle lanes but I think on balance that they have increased journey times compared to before the pandemic. Certainly every bus driver I have spoken to believes they have. There are far more people on just one bus than pass by on a bike as I am travelling so priorities seem wrong to me.”

Some local businesses have also complained that the cycle lanes have given them significant problems with handling deliveries

The next phase of the scheme will soon be rolled out in Wood Lane, W12, with a cycle lane running from the Westfield shopping centre to the White City Innovation District and back.

The Wood Lane wands will be located between Uxbridge Road and South Africa Road, including:

West side:

1-17 Wood Lane, between Uxbridge Road and the Westfield shopping centre side entrance
45 Wood Lane and the corner to MacFarlane Road
between Ariel Way and the Television Centre campus.

East side:

between White City tube station and Ariel Way
between Ariel Way to MacFarland Road
57-13 Wood Lane, between the White City bus stop and Shepherds Bush Library.

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May 23, 2022