Transport for London and Hounslow Council have announced they will start work next Monday (27 March) on the latest section of the Cycleway 9 route in west London.
Cycleway 9 is a major addition to London’s growing network of Cycleways, enabling thousands of improved cycling journeys and improvements for those walking between Hammersmith, Chiswick, Kew, Brentford and beyond each week. TfL says enabling more people to walk and cycle is vital to a healthier and more sustainable city for all Londoners.
Construction between Kew Bridge and Waterman’s Park will start on 27 March and is expected to be completed in autumn 2023. The scheme will create:
- A new safe cycling crossing over the South Circular Road connecting to Chiswick High Road via Wellesley Road
- New protected cycle lanes along Kew Bridge Road (A315) linking to Waterman’s Park
- A new pedestrian crossing by Thames Row making it safer and easier for pedestrians to cross Kew Bridge Road
- A new cycle crossing by Thames Row to allow cyclists to join the protected two-way cycle lane approaching the South Circular Road
- Changes at side roads to encourage slower driving speeds and improved visibility for both pedestrians and cyclists
Once completed, the works will open up a 5km Cycleway from Waterman’s Park in Brentford to Hammersmith. Hounslow Council also recently opened new cycle paths in Waterman’s Park (for westbound cyclists) as part of a transformation of the park, playground and arts centre.
TfL explains the changes build on improvements delivered last month in Chiswick, making the route safer and more attractive for people walking and cycling and enabling more reliable journeys for bus passengers. Earlier phases of the C9 route included the transformation of King Street and the Hammersmith gyratory, with a two-way cycle track and new traffic signals for people cycling at junctions.
TfL is now working with Hounslow Council to plan construction work on the final section of the route in that borough, between Waterman’s Park and Brentford. Work on this section is planned to start in the next year. TfL is also working with Hammersmith and Fulham Council to finalise the plans for Hammersmith Road which will complete Cycleway 9 from Brentford to Kensington Olympia.
Hammersmith and Fulham Council has recently decided to make a section of C9 on their roads between Goldhawk Road and Hammersmith Gyratory permanent, with a majority of respondents to a consultation saying the changes had had a positive impact on the local area. Hammersmith and Fulham Council will be putting in place a number of improvements to the scheme, including safety improvements on side roads and a new zebra crossing near to Latimer Upper School.
TfL says it has seen a significant increase in people cycling along the route since these temporary schemes have been introduced, with counts showing the number of people cycling on King Street has almost doubled since 2017. Cycle count data shows that at the King Street with Bridge Avenue junction, between 06:00 and 22:00, there were 1531 cyclists recorded on the count day in 2017. This increased to 2064 in 2021 and 2804 in 2022.
Will Norman, London’s Walking and Cycling Commissioner, said: “Expanding London’s network of cycleways is a key part of the Mayor’s commitment to building a safer, healthier and greener London for everyone. I’m delighted that we’re starting work on this next phase of Cycleway 9 to Waterman’s Park. This scheme will enable more people to walk and cycle in West London, helping reduce congestion and improve air quality.”
Julie Lewington, TfL’s Head of Projects and Programmes, said: “Our work with Hounslow Council along the Cycleway 9 route has enabled hundreds of local people and families to get around safely by bike. Once construction is complete on the latest phase of Cycleway 9, our work will open up even more west London neighbourhoods for safer walking and cycling journeys, connecting local people to the wider high-quality cycling network in the capital. We look forward to continuing to work closely with the borough on further sections of the route.”
Hounslow Council’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Climate, Environment and Transport Strategy, Councillor Kathrine Dunne, said: “These latest improvement works are based on feedback from the local community. The cycle lanes have been introduced to give residents a healthier alternative to the car. It will help to reduce congestion and improve air quality in our borough.”
(Picture – TfL)
