Work is set to begin at the end of this month on Transport for London’s re-design of Westminster Bridge, along with the junction at its southern end. Dominated by traffic, TfL had described the current roundabout formed by Westminster Bridge Road, Addington Street and York Road as 'an intimidating place to walk and cycle.' As part of the £4bn Road Modernisation Plan TfL has aimed to redesign the current roundabout to deliver improvements for cyclists and pedestrians, along with adding better provision for crossing the bridge, which links Parliament in the north with Waterloo in the south.
Changes to the current layout were initially proposed in 2015 but proved controversial, with Guy’s and St Thomas’s NHS trust objecting to the floating pedestrian islands between the the roadway and cycle lane.
Along with Vauxhall MP Kate Hoey, they believed the arrangement, now widely in use across London, would have put patients and other people using the bus stops at risk.
Despite these, and objections from local groups resulting in a previous, and more radical redesign proposal being rejected, the current plans were eventually approved.
Following an initial consultation two final designs were presented, offering a choice between 2.3 metre wide mandatory cycle lanes or 1.8 metre wide, fully segregated cycle tracks.
Transport for London received 630 responses to their consultation. Around 74% of respondents fully or partially supported their proposals. Of these 48% expressed a preference for the option of segregated cycle tracks compared to 20% who preferred the alternative of 2.3 metre mandatory lanes to be provided alongside the existing roadway.
Signed off by the former mayor, Boris Johnson, there were questions as to whether the current mayor would proceed with the plans.
However it’s now certain Westminster is to become the latest in a string of London’s bridges to get a people friendly re-design.