Transport for London has published plans for a new 6.5km Cycleway between Greenwich and Woolwich which it says will help boost safety along “one of southeast London’s most dangerous roads.”
According to TfL’s figures there were 215 collisions leading to death or injury along the A206 Woolwich Road in 2017 and 2018 with cyclists accounting for 18 per cent of all casualties on the road during 2017.
As part of it and City Hall’s Vision Zero commitment to eliminating death and serious injury on London’s roads, the agency is proposing a series of changes which would connect to the Royal Borough of Greenwich’s future Liveable Neighbourhood plans for Greenwich Town Centre and to Cycleway 4.
TfL is asking people for their views on the first phase of this route, between Charlton and Woolwich, with plans including:
- A new two-way, fully segregated high-quality 2.5km Cycleway, which would run along the A206 Woolwich Road
- Six new pedestrian crossings with improvements to a number of others along the route, serving key local communities, schools, the Woolwich Ferry and Warspite Road, where a person walking was tragically killed in a collision in 2018
- Extending the existing bus lanes to make journeys by bus quicker and easier. Half of all trips along Woolwich Road are currently made by bus
- Widening the pavement at a number of locations, to give people walking more space
TfL is also planning “significant improvements” at the Angerstein roundabout, where two people have been killed while cycling in recent years.
London’s Walking and Cycling Commissioner, Will Norman, said: “I’m delighted that we’re pushing ahead with these bold plans – part of a new high-quality cycle route from Tower Bridge all the way to the heart of Woolwich.
“With additional pedestrian crossings and a new bus lane, the route will be made better and safer for everyone.
“The area around Angerstein roundabout has seen two fatalities in recent years, and we will continue to work closely with Greenwich Council to deliver these vital improvements as soon as possible.”
Nigel Hardy, TfL’s Head of Healthy Streets Investment and Delivery, said: “We know that people in London want to choose greener and healthier alternatives to cars, but road danger and congestion remains unacceptably high on roads across the capital.
“Our plans for Woolwich Road would make a real difference to everyone who wants to walk, cycle and use public transport more often and to the communities who live along this busy and intimidating stretch of road.”
TfL’s consultation is available at tfl.gov.uk/greenwich-woolwich
