Is this the greener, safer future of transport London has been waiting for?

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has today (September 28) announced plans to introduce the first high-quality segregated cycle route to South East London.

Cycle Superhighway 4 (CS4) aims to bring safer cycling to the area as it connects Tower Bridge to Greenwich using more than four kilometres of segregated tracks.

The route has been identified as a priority due to the area’s high demand for cycling – with nearly 3,500 daily trips already made on the A200.

Sadiq Khan commented: “I’m delighted to be able to announce plans to bring more than 4km of segregated cycle lanes to London.

“We need more Londoners to cycle and walk for the good of their health and our air quality, and that’s why we’re working hard to make cycling safer and easier across the capital. By bringing this route to an area of such high demand, this superhighway will open up cycling to thousands.”

The announcement has come a week after the Mayor unveiled a consultation on Cycle Superhighway 9 (CS9), which aims to add nearly 6km of new segregated track to the capital’s roads between Kensington Olympia to Brentford.

Together the two superhighways are vital in the Mayor’s work to promote cycling and walking for the good of Londoners’ health and air quality.

Will Norman, London’s walking and cycling commissioner, said: “I’m so pleased that we can share our plans for [this] just one week after announcing CS9. These new routes are a key part of our work to make cycling more accessible across London and will add more than 10km of segregated lanes to the capital’s roads.

“South East London is an area of huge cycling potential so I know that CS4 will make a real difference to so many cyclists and budding riders by providing a safe segregated route that links straight into our growing cycling network.”

Launching today, the first part of the consultation includes more than four kilometres of two-way segregated cycle tracks on Tooley Street, Jamaica Road, Evelyn Street and Creek Road.

It features five new traffic light pedestrian crossings, the upgrade of more than 20 existing crossings and the redesign of the Rotherhithe Roundabout.

It should also connect to the wider cycling network, connecting with Quietway 14 via segregated lane on Tanner Street. This quietway would link the North-South Cycle Superhighway with the proposed Cycle Superhighway 4.

Councillor Alan Smith, deputy mayor and cabinet member for growth and regeneration at Lewisham Council, also commented: “We’re very excited at the prospect of a new cycle superhighway coming to the borough.

“We actively promote healthy and sustainable forms of travel in Lewisham and the adding a segregated route will make cycling much safer and more attractive to new cyclists.” Matt Winfield, Sustrans’ acting London director, said: “CS4 will be an important way to unlock cycling for more Londoners, helping to clean our air, keep people moving and improve our health.

“Segregated routes like these are an essential part of the mix to help more of us get on our bikes and will increase the record numbers that already are cycling. This proposal will make London’s streets healthier and safer.”

Subject to the results of this consultation, Transport for London (TfL) and partner boroughs are aiming to start building this project in 2018.

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