Transport for London (TfL) is moving forward with plans to start construction of a major new 7km cycle route later this year, which will transform roads between Kensington Olympia, Hammersmith and Brentford Town Centre – making walking and cycling safer and easier and making the local environment more attractive for residents and visitors.

A consultation on Cycle Superhighway 9 (CS9) in 2017 received more than 5,000 responses, with nearly 60 per cent of respondents either supporting or strongly supporting the proposals and many saying the scheme would have a positive impact on cycling and walking in the area, as well as improving provision for buses.

Recent TfL research has highlighted the economic benefits of walking and cycling to town centres, with infrastructure improvements such as new cycle routes leading to increased retail spending of up to 30 per cent. TfL has now published a report with its responses to issues raised during the consultation on CS9.

In response to this feedback, TfL has developed new designs along sections of the route, which address comments raised during the consultation. TfL is inviting people to have their say on new designs in two sections between:

  • Kew Bridge/ Kew Bridge Road (High Street Brentford to Wellesley Road)
  • Duke Road and Duke’s Avenue on Chiswick High Road

At Kew Bridge and throughout Kew Bridge Road, the improved designs would provide two-way segregated cycle lanes on the south side of Kew Bridge Road and South Circular Road, rather than the partially segregated cycle tracks on both sides of the road that were proposed in the earlier consultation designs. This change will ensure that people cycling are fully segregated from traffic throughout this section and it also removes the requirement for two bus stop bypasses on the north side of Kew Bridge Road. The change also addresses concerns raised about cycle safety at Kew Bridge junction, Green Dragon Lane and Lionel Road South.

The new consultation will also propose a second southbound traffic lane on Kew Bridge to improve the efficiency of the Kew Bridge junction. In addition, the changes will make crossings wider and easier to use, with cyclists signalled separately from conflicting traffic at the Kew Bridge junction.

Along Chiswick High Road, the existing space for pedestrians on Duke’s Avenue outside Our Lady of Grace and St Edward Church has been retained, whilst maintaining the proposed benefits for cyclists and the fully segregated cycle track, by removing the right turn lane into Duke’s Avenue. Banning the right turn for vehicles will also reduce the likelihood of collisions at this junction.

TfL continues to work with both Hounslow and Hammersmith and Fulham Councils to improve facilities for people walking and cycling across the boroughs.

In Hounslow, TfL is supporting the council in developing a range of measures to improve the local community, including improving pedestrian routes under Kew Bridge and improving air quality on Chiswick High Road through the Mayor’s Low Emissions Bus Zone initiative.

TfL and Hammersmith and Fulham Council have also agreed to look into an opportunity to enable more people to cycle and walk safely along the A4, between Hammersmith Town Hall and the Hammersmith gyratory. This is in addition to creating a new segregated two-way cycle route along the A315 and the improvements along the A4 represent additional investment and provide connections for people on bikes or on foot south of the gyratory and to Hammersmith Bridge. TfL will continue to work with Hammersmith and Fulham on this opportunity to improve the local community for people walking and cycling.

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Source: TfL