Building industry 'must help stop slaughter of cyclists under HGVs'

The construction industry needs to do more to reduce the “slaughter” of cyclists on London’s roads, a top figure in the architectural world said today.

Peter Murray, chairman of the New London Architecture forum, spoke out as safety campaigners prepared to stage a “die in” protest today on Lambeth Bridge to mark the death of designer Moira Gemmill.

Ms Gemmill, former design director at the Victoria and Albert museum and recently hand-picked by the Queen to oversee renovations at Windsor Castle, was killed in collision with an HGV truck operated by subcontractor JSM as she rode to work on April 9.

Her old colleagues from the V&A are expected to take part in the Stop Killing Cyclists demonstration.

All five cyclist deaths in London this year have involved HGVs — four of them construction lorries. Mr Murray told the Architects’ Journal: “It is very shocking that construction is responsible for so many deaths.

“It behoves all those involved in the industry to make greater efforts to reduce this slaughter.

“Architects should make sure that clients and contractors are fully aware of the issues and that only lorries with properly trained drivers and the necessary safety equipment should be employed on their sites.”

Mr Murray said a Construction Industry Cycling Commission was set up “to reduce these appalling numbers to zero” after the death of architect Francis Golding, 69, at a notorious junction in Bloomsbury. A coroner called for safety improvements after hearing how he had cycled into the path of a left-turning coach in November 2013.

The death of French mother-of-two Claire Hitier-Abadie, 36, who was killed riding a Boris bike in Victoria in February, involved Crossrail contractor Gordon. She was the third cyclist in 18 months killed by a Crossrail HGV.

Stephen Ratcliffe, director of the UK Contractors Group, said: “We share the concerns over the safety of cyclists and other vulnerable road users, particularly in relation to what the construction industry can do to eliminate the toll of death and injuries.”

From September Transport for London is introducing a Safer Lorry Scheme to ban lorries over 3.5 tonnes from entering the capital without safety equipment, such as mirrors and side guards.