Transport for London and Hounslow Council have completed work on the latest phase of the Cycleway 9 route in west London.
Cycleway 9 is a major addition to London’s growing network of Cycleways, which TfL says is enabling thousands of improved walking and cycling journeys between Brentford, Kew, Chiswick, Hammersmith and beyond each week, which is vital to a healthier and more sustainable transport network for all Londoners.
The changes now include an additional 253m of protected cycle lanes and a safe crossing for pedestrians and cyclists over the South Circular Road. This is between the Kew Bridge Junction and Pump House Crescent/Jet Garage, which will connect the east of Brentford with Chiswick.
Levels of cycling along the C9 route continue to rise. Automated VivaCity sensors that can record distance in the form of cycle kilometres have been utilised since 2021, and they have revealed that between Heathfield Terrace and King Street there has been a 47% increase in distance cycled when comparing the Spring periods (March to June) of 2021 to 2023.
TfL and Hounslow Council will begin construction work on the final phase of Cycleway 9 in the borough in the coming weeks. It will run from Pump House Crescent to Alexandra Road and add around 890 metres to the Cycleway network. The work is expected to be completed by August 2024 and will connect Brentford with Chiswick and Hammersmith.
Will Norman, London’s Walking and Cycling Commissioner, said: “High-quality cycleways are enabling more and more Londoners to switch to cycling for local journeys. This latest extension of Cycleway 9 will make cycling journeys between town centres in west London safer and more accessible. The Mayor and I want to build on the boom in cycling we’ve seen in recent years, and we will continue to work closely with boroughs to rapidly expand the network of Cycleways as we build a greener and better London for everyone.”
Julie Lewington, TfL’s Head of Projects and Programmes said: “This is an exciting next step in extending Cycleway 9 which will help more people across west London to access London’s growing network of high-quality Cycleways. Enabling more people to walk and cycle is vital to reducing congestion and improving air quality. We look forward to continuing to work closely with the borough on the last section of the route.”
Councillor Katherine Dunne, Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Climate, Environment and Transport, said: “Cycling and walking routes are good for the environment and can help to improve air quality in our borough by reducing the number of cars on our roads. We know that cycling has so many benefits – from supporting people’s health and wellbeing, to easing traffic and improving air quality.
“With the scheme expanding between Kew Bridge and Watermans Park, I hope this encourages even more people to cycle.”
Last year, TfL announced that it will restart work on paused schemes to make the capital’s roads safer and more attractive for those walking and cycling, following vital investment being secured as part of the latest funding agreement with Government. TfL’s funding agreement with Government secured £80 million per year to be invested in walking and cycling schemes, with a further £69 million per year allocated to boroughs. TfL has so far reduced danger at 44 junctions across London as part of its Safer Junctions programme, with work on at a further two locations set to start early next year.
(Picture – TfL)
