Transport for London’s junction review proposals for the Waterloo IMAX roundabout and the junction of Abbey Street and Tower Bridge Road do not go far enough to improve cycle and pedestrian safety and will fail to deliver a real step change in the way people travel predicts Caroline Pidgeon AM, leader of the Liberal Democrat London Assembly.
Commenting on the proposals, Caroline said:
“While some of the changes are welcome they ultimately do not offer a real step change in the way that people will travel. For the occasional or nervous cyclist the Transport for London plans do not make cycling across Waterloo Roundabout or along Tower Bridge Road any more appealing.
“The plans make cycling marginally better for those who already cycle, but they fall far short of ensuring that cycling is safe and attractive for the many people who are currently deterred from doing so.”
"It is disappointing that these proposals do not go further."
Some of Caroline Pidgeon’s specific proposals for further improving the junctions include:
- consideration should be given to 20 mph speed limits for the approach roads to the Waterloo Roundabout
- consideration should be given to improving the entrance of the segregated cycle path on Waterloo Road, to make the turning less sharp
- a pedestrian crossing should be introduced by the Abbey Street/Tower Bridge junction
- encouraging cyclists off Tower Bridge Road onto Bermondsey Street. Making this street more cycle friendly and better signposted as a route north could provide a very attractive alternative cycle route.
You can read further details of the TfL consultations for the Waterloo roundabout and Abbey Street.
You can also read the London Cycling Campaign's views on Abbey Street, and see further coverage on the London SE1 website.