Overview

Update - 18 March 201 6

We received 630 responses to the consultation. Thanks to all those who provided their views.

74 per cent of the responses supported or partially supported the proposals, whereas 19 per cent did not. 48 per cent of respondents expressed a preference for the option of 1.8 metre segregated cycle tracks on Westminster Bridge, compared to 20 per cent who preferred the option of 2.3 metre mandatory lanes and 23 per cent who wanted neither option.

After considering all of the responses, we intend to proceed with the layout changes as consulted on, with 1.8 metre segregated cycle tracks on Westminster Bridge.

We are still in discussions with Network Rail regarding the proposed changes for taxis on Station Approach Road, and will make a further announcement once an agreement has been reached.

As part of the ongoing design process we will also continue to work with stakeholders to address concerns raised regarding the bus stop bypasses.

Construction work is scheduled to begin in Spring 2017 and be completed in early 2018.

To view the full consultation report and our responses to issues raised, please click here (PDF)

The details of the consultation can be found below.

End of update





What we propos ed ?

As part of our £4bn Road Modernisation Plan, we proposed changes at Westminster Bridge, Westminster Bridge Road, Lambeth Palace Road, Addington Street and York Road. The proposals aimed to deliver improvements for cyclists and pedestrians.

Why we proposed this?

Westminster Bridge, Westminster Bridge Road, Lambeth Palace Road, Addington Street and York Road are well used cycling routes which pass through the ‘roundabout’ formed by Westminster Bridge Road, Addington Street and York Road.

The ‘roundabout’ is currently traffic dominated and can be an intimidating place to walk and cycle. We proposed to give cyclists dedicated space and separate cycle signals at junctions. Our proposals would deliver improvements for pedestrians including upgraded crossings, clearer footways and a new pedestrian crossing on Westminster Bridge Road.

The improvements would provide a connection between the East-West Cycle Superhighway on the north bank of the Thames and the Central London Cycling Grid on Belvedere Road and Royal Street in Lambeth, providing a joined-up cycling network for this part of London.

Please click here for a larger map of the proposed changes

Proposed la yout changes

To improve conditions and safety for cyclists we would:

Provide cyclists with dedicated road space on Westminster Bridge, Westminster Bridge Road, Lambeth Palace Road, Addington Street and York Road; cyclists would be separated from traffic by a kerb or white line

Separate cyclists and motor vehicle movements at junctions; cyclists would have their own traffic signals which would operate at different times to those for other traffic

Widen the pedestrian/cycle crossing by the south end of Belvedere Road and improve the connection between Belvedere Road and Westminster Bridge Road

Convert the pedestrian crossing on Lambeth Palace Road outside the hospital to a pedestrian/cycle crossing so that cyclists can access Royal Street from Lambeth Palace Road. The crossing would be changed from ‘staggered’ (two separate crossings with an island in the middle) to ‘straight across’ (a single crossing)

Provide bus stop bypasses at bus stops D and E on Westminster Bridge Road, bus stops B and C on Lambeth Palace Road and the tour bus stop at the east side of Westminster Bridge so that cyclists could avoid having to mix with traffic. Cyclists would continue behind the bus stops on a carriageway-level cycle track, which would feature a chicane and narrowed track to reduce speeds. Bus passengers would access the bus stop waiting area by crossing the cycle track using a marked crossing point/s

Widen the footway on the corner of York Road and Westminster Bridge Road to slow down left turning vehicles

Cyclists would still be able to use the northbound bus and cyclist only route from Westminster Bridge Road to York Road



To improve conditions and safety for pedestrians we would:

Provide a new pedestrian crossing on Westminster Bridge Road between the new ‘Urbanest’ building and the Park Plaza (Westminster Bridge) hotel to give a more direct walking route along Westminster Bridge Road and between Lambeth Palace Road and York Road. This would be subject to agreement with the Park Plaza Hotel Group

Replace the ‘staggered’ pedestrian crossing on Lambeth Palace Road (at its junction with Westminster Bridge Road) with a ‘straight across’ crossing

Replace the ‘staggered’ crossing on Lambeth Palace Road outside St. Thomas’ hospital with a ‘straight across’ pedestrian/cycle crossing

Install pedestrian countdown signals at three pedestrian crossings

Improve the quality and consistency of the pavements on Westminster Bridge Road and on the ‘roundabout’

Widen the pedestrian crossing at the south end of Belvedere Road

Widen the western pavement of York Road by the Park Plaza hotel and plant trees on the new pavement area

Provide improved footway materials at the following locations: the service access to the Park Plaza (County Hall) and Travelodge hotels on Addington Street the northern footway on Westminster Bridge Road where it meets Belvedere Road the access to the London Marriot County Hall hotel on Westminster Bridge Road the accesses to St. Thomas’ hospital on Lambeth Palace Road

De-clutter footways by rationalising locations of street furniture



A n artist 's impression of the proposals on Wes tminster Bridge Road

Cycle facilities on Westminster Bridge

Westminster Bridge is a grade two listed structure and a busy bus, cycling and pedestrian route. We wanted to know what you thought about how cycle facilities should be provided on Westminster Bridge. We proposed two options:

a. 2.3m wide mandatory cycle lane in both directions

This approach would give cyclists more space to overtake one another. A painted white line would separate cycles and motor vehicles, but there would be no physical segregation. Motor vehicles would be prohibited from entering the cycle lane.

A n artist's impress ion of the proposals on Wes tminster Bridge, with ma ndatory cycle lane

b. 1.8m wide segrgated cycle track in both directions

This approach would provide cyclists with physical separation from motor vehicles using a 0.5m wide traffic island, but may reduce cyclists’ opportunity to overtake one another.

A n artist's impression of the proposals on Westmin ster Bridge, with segregated cycle lane

How else wo uld the proposal affect road users?

Bus passengers

There would be no changes to bus routes as part of these proposals

Passengers using bus stops B, C, D and E would need to use the island of the bus stop bypasses to board and alight

Bus stop ‘G’ on York Road would be moved 5m to the north to allow cyclists enough space to enter the cycle lane to the south



Motorists

The right turn from Addington Street in to the Park Plaza (County Hall) hotel would be banned to prevent turning vehicles blocking traffic travelling west

Existing parking and loading arrangements would not change



Journey times for all road users

The proposals would mean changes to some journey times through the area.



For details on traffic impacts click here

For a summary of the traffic modelling results click here

For a summary of Frequently Asked Questions about the scheme please click here

Proposed changes for taxis on Station Road Approach

There are currently instances of taxis queuing from the pick-up/drop-off point at the front of Waterloo Railway Station on to Addington Street and York Road via Station Approach Road. The proposed changes to the roundabout would require this queue to be limited to the end of Station Approach Road to ensure that buses and other traffic could access Westminster Bridge Road and Station Approach Road from Addington Street at all times.

To do this, we proposed to (subject to agreement with Network Rail):

Install a new feeder taxi rank with a camera and screen to allow taxi drivers to see when there is space to join the existing rank

Introduce double red lines on Station Approach Road, meaning taxis would not be permitted to wait here except in the new feeder rank



This is a similar arrangement to other locations on the road network (such as Victoria station) and would be enforced using Penalty Charge Notices. Taxis arriving when the feeder rank is full would need to pass the rank and exit via the roundabout on Station Approach Road to York Road, Baylis Road or Westminster Bridge Road. We proposed to formally become Traffic Authority for Station Approach Road in order to introduce the double red lines

20 mph trial sc heme

As part of our ongoing work to reduce road casualties, encourage active travel and enhance the areas where people live, work and shop, we proposed to introduce a trial 20 mph scheme on Westminster Bridge, Westminster Bridge Road (up to and including the ‘roundabout’), Addington Street and York Road where it would link in with the Waterloo roundabout 20 mph scheme.

This would be introduced initially as an 18 month trial. Traffic speeds, casualty data, safety perceptions and the number of cycling and walking trips would be monitored, along with the effects on bus and traffic journey times, to assess whether to make the reduced speed limits permanent.

More information on our programme of 20 mph pilot schemes can be found here.

Other local schemes

Westminster Bridge Road regeneration

The London Borough of Lambeth recently undertook a public consultation on proposals to improve Westminster Bridge Road between Addington Street and Morley Street. More information is available here.

Leake Street Arches

London and Continental Railways (LCR) is proposing to change the use of a series of arches beneath the former Eurostar platforms at Waterloo. More information can be found here.

Roads Modernisation Plan

We are working hard to deliver the Road Modernisation Plan. This £4bn investment in the Capital’s vital road network will ensure London’s roads are able to meet the needs of a growing population. As part of this plan we are reviewing junctions and gyratories across London to make them safer for all road users, including cyclists, and to make journey times more reliable. For more information visit tfl.gov.uk/roadplan.