Local politicians have urged Southwark Council to “end the chaos” on Lower Road reportedly caused by a new cycle lane.
Councillors’ calls for action have come just days after a cyclist was hospitalised in a collision at one of the junctions.
Rotherhithe residents have endured “miles of backed up traffic” since construction started last summer, the Liberal Democrat councillors have said.
When approached for comment last week, Southwark Council said the cycleway was part of its “huge amount of work to make the borough more cycle-friendly”.
The Labour-run council had reportedly assured residents the gridlock would subside once works were completed but residents claim the issues have continued.
Lib Dem Councillor Adam Hood has now called on the council and Transport for London (TfL) to “start coming up with serious, long-term solutions”.
Cycleway 4, a continuous lane from London Bridge to Greenwich, was hailed as creating “a clearer and safer” route for cyclists, by TfL on its official opening earlier this month.
The 1.3km two-way protected cycle track along Lower Road was heralded as the “final piece of the puzzle”, by TfL who worked on the scheme with Southwark Council.
But local residents and businesses claim it’s created gridlock along Lower Road – from the junction at Plough Way through Redriff Road and up to the Rotherhithe Tunnel.
Residents were further incensed after a cyclist was injured in a collision with a car on Ann Moss Way – where some say cyclists are forced into oncoming traffic.
Septimus, a local worker who was at the scene, slammed the newfangled junction. He said: “It’s crazy. It’s high risk. Just one of these days I was saying we need to have the traffic lights. I knew something was going to happen.”
Bimbe, a local worker who was also at the scene, said: “Nearly two weeks ago it nearly happened to me… this is a hazard!”
Southwark Council has reportedly said the ongoing disruption is caused by traffic light timings and abuses of parking and loading.
But after speaking with residents, Cllr Hood has urged the council to consider significant changes to the scheme’s design.
Potential solutions include changed traffic light timings, repainted parking bays and a ‘no U-turn’ sign on Worgan Street, Cllr Hood said.
He has also called for a “full review” of the Ann Moss Way-Lower Road junction, where the cyclist was injured.
Surrey Docks Councillor Adam Hood said: “The community has been dealing with this issue for far too long. The council said the traffic would improve after the cycle lane was complete but it clearly has got no better and now we’ve had a serious accident on a junction we knew was a concern. People feel ignored and let down.
TfL and Southwark Council need to come together, treat this problem with the urgency it merits and start coming up with serious, long-term solutions.”
Southwark Council and TfL have been approached for their latest comments.