Battersea road safety upgrade to tackle collision hotspot for pedestrians and cyclists

One of Wandsworth’s busiest cycle routes and key London bus route will be improved with an initial £1.75m package of works to make it safer for pedestrians and cyclists.

Plans for the new scheme are focused on improving safety for pedestrians, cyclists and bus passengers along Battersea’s Queenstown Road towards Chelsea Bridge.

Wandsworth Council’s Transport Committee unanimously agreed to upgrade this stretch of road following 79 collisions in recent years, using contributions from local developers and Transport for London.

With a focus on more sustainable transport facilities, a new high-quality segregated cycle route will be created alongside better crossing points for pedestrians, re-designed bus stops and more trees and planting.

Jenny Yates, Wandsworth Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport, said: “We’re delighted to be able to finally get this scheme moving forward as we start our decade of renewal for the borough.

“As someone who uses a bike to get around I know how important it is to know you have a safe route to take. Together with TfL we will make this stretch of road and pavement safer for the thousands of people who use it every week, as well as encouraging more people to get around more cost-effectively by walking or cycling along here.

“What’s more this is being paid for by funding we’ve collected from developers in the area and grants from TfL. We’re looking forward to rolling out similar plans across the borough as we tackle more routes in desperate need of improvement.”

Public engagement showed that over 60 per cent of respondents supported or strongly supported the proposals and over half said they would cycle more often along Queenstown Road because of the new scheme.

Road to remain open

Construction works on the section between the river and Queen’s Circus roundabout will be managed to have minimum impact on general traffic and maintain two-way traffic flow so that the road is not closed.

The existing layout for cars and motor vehicles will be retained, with one southbound general traffic lane, one northbound general traffic lane and a northbound bus lane. The new scheme will not impact highway capacity or car parking.

The interim cycle lane wands, installed during 2021 as part of the borough’s pandemic response, will be removed.

Proposed improvements include:

• existing cycle lanes will be widened and extended to cover the whole length of the road in both directions, with the existing wands replaced by a stepped-track kerb line
• bus stops will be redesigned to allow safe access for bus passengers crossing cycle lanes
• introduction of protected right turns for cyclists into and out of Battersea Park with traffic signals at the junction with Carriage Drive North
• refurbished footways and improved access at crossings to make it easier for pedestrians and those using wheelchairs
• a new pedestrian crossing at the existing traffic signals by the road entry to Pestana Chelsea Bridge Hotel
• additional street trees and sustainable drainage systems to improve landscaping and drainage
• resurfacing the carriageway
• removing unnecessary signage and street furniture to declutter the road and pavement.

The Council’s Executive will review the plans in March 2024 before detailed designs are developed for construction to begin later this year. The impact of the new road layout scheme will be monitored by the council and TfL.

Find out more about Wandsworth's plans to improve roads and pavements