Transport for London (TfL) has said it plans to start work on improving safety at Battersea Bridge including installing a new signalised pedestrian crossing on the north side of the bridge and a reduction in the speed limit to 20mph
TfL hopes the measures will reduce road danger in the area in line with its Vision Zero goal of eliminating death and serious injury on the road network.
The proposed changes include a new signalised pedestrian crossing on the north side of the bridge, which will make it much safer to cross the road here. TfL will begin engagement with the local community in the coming weeks and work to deliver these safety critical changes as quickly as possible, This work has been brought forward after a man was tragically killed on the bridge earlier this year following a collision with a vehicle.
TfL will also be reducing the speed limit on Chelsea Embankment later this year from 30mph to 20mph to further improve safety for vulnerable road users, including people walking and cycling. This follows work last year by TfL to reduce all of its speed limits in the congestion charging zone to 20mph and forms part of its ongoing commitment to lower speed limits across the capital.
TfL will continue to work closely with the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea on future plans to deliver two further pedestrian crossings on busy Cheyne Walk and Beaufort Street. This could include a banned left turn into Beaufort Street, which would reduce conflict between motor vehicles and cyclists, while ensuring people walking can cross as safely as possible. A banned left turn at this location would also protect journey times for bus passengers and other traffic travelling through the junction.
Will Norman, London’s Walking & Cycling Commissioner, said: ”Making London’s streets safe for vulnerable road users including pedestrians and cyclists is a top priority, and we have taken immediate action to bring forward our proposals for this area after a man was tragically killed on Battersea Bridge earlier this year. These changes will make a real difference to those walking and cycling on the bridge and form a key part of our Vision Zero ambition to eliminate death and serious injury on the road.”
Penny Rees, Head of Healthy Streets Delivery at TfL, said: ”Any death or serious injury on London’s streets is one too many and we are absolutely committed to making the capital’s roads safer for everyone.
Following the tragic death of a man on the bridge earlier this year, we’ve worked closely with the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea to bring forward our proposals to reduce danger at this busy junction as quickly as possible and believe our proposed changes will make a real difference to pedestrian safety.”
TfL continues work on its Safer Junctions programme, which is reducing road danger at 73 dangerous junctions across London. Work has been completed at 41 junctions so far. All locations in the Safer Junctions programme had higher than average collision rates and this improvement work is a vital part of its Vision Zero ambition.
