TfL have announced proposals for a segregated Cycle Superhighway to run through Tooley Street and Jamaica Road.
The planned transformation of the A200 would create a 2.5-mile segregated cycle link between Tower Bridge and Greenwich, running through Bermondsey, Rotherhithe and Deptford.
It also includes plans for a redesign of Rotherhithe Roundabout, five new signal-controlled pedestrian crossings, and upgrades to more than 20 existing pedestrian crossings.
There will also be changes to some bus stop layouts and locations, including new bus stop bypasses for cyclists.
Plans for the section on Lower Road, which will incorporate the regeneration planned for Canada Water, will be consulted on next year.
The project, nicknamed CS4, is due to begin late next year and would cost £55million.
The News asked TfL how long the work is likely to take and if sections of the route will be blocked off to motorists or pedestrians and was told that they could not yet say.
A second consultation, due later this year, will also seek feedback on proposals to include Lower Road in the route.
Simon Dyer, of F A Albin & Sons funeral directors, near Rotherhithe Roundabout, said traffic in the area was already bad and that he thought the cycle superhighway should be built elsewhere.
“What they need to do is improve the system now and they shouldn’t be clogging up the road,” he said. “I will do everything I can to stop them because I don’t want it. It’s just crazy; it doesn’t need to come through this way.
“It already takes us so long to get back here at the end of the day – it’s already bad enough. “We’ve been here so long and we’ve got this beautiful garden here; we can’t relocate.”
Southwark Cyclists co-ordinator Andy Cawdell said the CS4 route was “currently very nasty and dangerous for cyclists”.
“Southwark Cyclists are keen for the scheme to be continuous and of maximum benefit to as many people as possible and to go ahead as planned, as far as it goes,” he said.
“This scheme won’t just protect their safety, and with improved crossings those of many pedestrians too, but also should enable lots more people who live along or near the route to cycle to work or to go to nearby shops, stations and other destinations in both directions.
“We are looking forward to seeing more details come forward for the Lower Road section as soon as possible; this is particularly vital as it must connect well to the planned Rotherhithe-Canary Wharf walking and cycling bridge.”
Councillor Anood Al-Samerai, leader of Southwark Liberal Democrat council group, said she was keen to make sure the changes proposed reduced congestion. “We are pleased that they have proposed improvements to Jamaica Road and the plans are helpful for pedestrians and cyclists,” she said.
“The new/improved crossings at St James’s Road, Bermondsey station and Southwark Park and the changes to the roundabout are very welcome.
“We are keen to make sure that the changes reduce congestion and will be responding to the consultation to demand further improvements for the junctions and tunnel.”
The Cycle Superhighway 4 consultation ends on November 19. It can be found here: www.tfl.gov.uk/cs4
TfL will publish its findings following the public consultation next year.
I’m not surprised the funeral director is opposed. It’s in his interests to keep the death rates up by blocking road safety improvements.
This is a very wide road and could easily accomodate a cycle path. As it’s also dangerous and people are being seriously injured of course this should go ahead.
Ridiculously high number of people cycling on Jamaica Road, Lower road and Evelyn Street have been killed or seriously injured by motor traffic whilst cycling. This scheme makes that stretch safe, and has little to no impact on the current traffic flow, which is pedestrian at best.
The mayor has a mandate to build more cycle lanes and make London less polluted, and this scheme helps achieve that, and provide safe for people who want to cycle but currently choose not to because of junctions like Rotherhithe roundabout.
This brings Southeast London into the 21st century, and is a no brainer.
From a driver/cyclist/pedestrian/bus user travelling this stretch every day for the past 12 years.
Are you that desperate for business, Mr Dyer, that you want to see the killing of cyclists outside your door continue?
Didn’t that Catholic priest in West London also cite his interest in funerals as a reason to oppose the cycle superhighway passing his church? A grisly trend emerges.
I’m a local GP. I commute down this road to work (and on home visits), as do very many cyclists. The cycle lanes are currently shared with buses and taxis, and stop, getting filled by stationary traffic. Eastbound its a matter of filtering through clogged lanes of buses and HGVs. Westbound the entry on and off Rotherhithe Roundabout is a death trap and I’ve attended a seriously injured cyclist there a few years ago. Further up towards Bermondsey station I’ve been forced off the road at speed by a coach and ‘close-passed’ and sworn at several times by black cabs. Its only a matter of time before someone gets killed, there were 4 deaths further up by Tanner St during the Shard construction. The area is very polluted and 10,000 Londoners a year die from air pollution. The congestion and pollution will not be solved by making space for more cars, but by making the road safer for children and less hardy ‘cyclists’ to reduce overall traffic. I’m sorry Simon Dyer is opposed to this, but once its in I think EVERYONE will see the benefits.
I live locally, and a segregated cycle lane would be absolutely brilliant. One for Old Kent Rd is also needed.
Here’s to a safer future where me and my lovely daughter can cycle safely to school/work
Didn’t the Prophet Mohammed murder many muslims in his lifetime?
I’m struggling to find the relevance of your comment to cycle lanes in London.