Have your say on plans to improve road safety around Battersea Bridge

Local people have just over a month left to comment on Transport for London’s plans to improve road safety both north and south of Battersea Bridge.

TfL has launched a consultation into proposed changes on both sides of the bridge that include new pedestrian crossings, bus lanes, cycle signals and a section of protected cycle track.

The scheme aims to enhance safety for people walking and cycling in the area and have been broadly welcomed by Wandsworth’s cabinet member for transport Clare Fraser.

She said: "We welcome proposals to improve pedestrian and cycling access to Battersea Bridge on both sides of the river. This should be a safe way to cross the river for everyone, including families and the elderly, so we urge local residents to give their views on TfL's consultation which includes additional measures along the Battersea Bridge Road corridor to make road crossings safer."

TfL has already completed a set of safety measures on the north side of the bridge following a fatal collision in January 2021. This initial phase of work included a new pedestrian crossing, wider pavements and a new lower speed limit of 20mph.

Further measures are now being proposed. On the southern side of the bridge they include:

• A new push-button pedestrian crossing on Battersea Bridge Road at Hester Road

• A bus gate, which would continue to improve bus journey times for buses travelling northwards

• A new pedestrian crossing at the Battersea Bridge Road / Battersea Church Road junction

• Extending the bus lane from Banbury Street northwards on Battersea Bridge Road to improve bus journey times

• Reconfiguring the crossing points at the junction of Battersea Bridge Road with the Prince of Wales Drive, widening pavements, removing the existing traffic island, and building two new push button crossings

• Banning the right turn from Battersea Bridge Road into Parkgate Road, and the left turn into the B305 to improve safety for people walking and cycling, including an "all green man" phase at the junction, and to help bus journey times

On the northern side, the following changes are proposed

• New, straight-across, push-button pedestrian crossings on Cheyne Walk, Chelsea Embankment and Beaufort Street

• Banning the left turn into Beaufort Street to motor traffic to reduce delays and wait times at the turning point, and to improve safety and eliminate the risk of left turning vehicles colliding with cyclists. Cyclists would still be able to access Beaufort Street via a shared use footway

• Making improvements for cyclists at the junction by installing dedicated cycle signals and a section of segregated cycle track

• Building a new section of westbound bus lane from Royal Hospital Road to the bus stop at Beaufort Street to ensure bus journey times in the area are maintained

London's Walking and Cycling Commissioner Will Norman said: "These proposed changes will play an important role in reducing road danger and making it safer for people to walk and cycle near Battersea Bridge. We are determined to build a safer, greener city for all Londoners - and improving junctions is a key part of our Vision Zero action plan to eliminate death and serious injury from London's roads.

"I encourage all members of the community near Battersea Bridge to share their views on this consultation, so we can support everyone with safe and appealing routes to travel around London."

The consultation continues until January 24. To take part please visit https://haveyoursay.tfl.gov.uk/batterseabridge.