As well as progressing Low Traffic Neighbourhoods, Lambeth are also rolling out Healthy Routes providing protected space for cycling on busier roads.
The next phase of work on Rosendale Road has been announced (and in the meantime long overdue resurfacing is taking place of the first section from Brockwell Park to Turney Road). Here the mini roundabout will be replaced with a parallel crossing and a 3m wide, two-way cycle track protected by traffic wands will run along the eastern side of Rosendale Road, between Turney Road and the A205 South Circular. The pre-Covid scheme that was supposed to go in here was to have a stepped track – the reality of TfL’s post Covid finances meant a cheaper solution was needed. Based on the experience of the Brockwell Park to Turney Road section we think that wand protected lanes deliver very similar levels of safety – they work for all ages and abilities cycling. However, we still maintain that using a continuous coloured surface for cycleways (preferably red) would be a low cost upgrade that would improve visibility and awareness of the cycleway (especially at junctions) and would aid way-finding for users.
As for other schemes there is a Commonplace website on which you can see, and comment on, the proposals.
Loughborough Road Healthy Route
Bigger news than Rosendale are plans for proper protected space on Loughborough Road upgrading the existing advisory cycle lanes with a wand protected cycleway and bus stop bypasses/boarders. This route section will link Ridgeway Road with an (upgraded) Fiveways junction. There are still clearly gaps – getting between Shakespeare Road and here is unpleasant as is progressing north. However, the Myatts Fields LTN is in the next set of funded LTN projects so it’s clear this is part of a joined up strategy.
Again we fully support these plans but think they could be improved with use of coloured surfacing to improve awareness and visibility of the cycleway.
Lambeth Cyclists 