Published: Thursday 11 March 2021
New measures including a pedestrian crossing at Battersea Bridge and a segregated cycle lane on Chelsea Bridge are in the pipeline.
A campaign by residents has been a success in its aim to get a safe pedestrian crossing installed on Battersea Bridge, after a fatal accident last month. Councillors backed the campaign and have thanked residents for their work which has seen Transport for London bringing forward plans for a crossing on the south side of the bridge. TfL will now engage residents on the proposed crossing.
Improvements are also on the way for cycling on Chelsea Bridge. The existing southbound cycle lane will be widened, and wands will be installed, segregating the lane from other traffic. On the northbound side, the bus lane will be extended further north and made 24/7. The works will be completed by Transport for London and have been given the go ahead by Kensington and Chelsea, Westminster and Wandsworth Councils, who co-own the road.
Cllr Johnny Thalassites, lead member for environment, planning and place said:
“Walking is the way most Londoners get around and a safe crossing point on the southern arm of this busy junction is vital.
“I can’t thank residents enough for the role they have played in raising the profile of safety on Battersea Bridge with TfL and getting much-needed safety improvements moving.
"I hope that local residents, who know the roads best, can continue to play a big role in shaping improvements at the junction.”
Councillors, officers and residents had raised concerns about Battersea Bridge with TfL on several occasions. Most recently with Cllr Johnny Thalassites writing to TfL in November 2020 to ask the organisation to prioritise a pedestrian crossing make the area safer. Residents will now have the chance to comment on the TfL plans. Work is due to take place on the Chelsea Bridge bus and cycle lanes in spring 2021.