The Metropolitan police will deploy 650 officers to busy London junctions in response to the recent series of cycling deaths. 2,500 officers will hand out leaflets and fixed penalty notices at 166 junctions marked as the capital's worst. It comes after six cyclists died in two weeks.

Superintendent Rob Revill of the Safer Transport Command said: "Every road death is a needless tragedy that wreaks devastation on the victim's friends and family. Every serious injury is life-changing and distressing.

"This operation will be intensive and far-reaching. Our aim is to reduce the appalling number of people who die or are injured on London's roads each year.

"Traffic and Safer Transport officers will be out in force, and even officers who don't specialise in traffic policing will be watching and dealing accordingly with anyone they see breaking the law."

The House of Commons transport committee announced it would hold an evidence session on 2 December to examine drivers' behaviour and ask whether London's cycling superhighways are safe.

The committee's chair, Louise Ellman, said: "Many of these casualties involve large vehicles, especially HGVs, and there is now debate about whether they should be banned from city centres at peak times."