London's first 'Quietway' for cyclists and pedestrians opens

A special route that directs cyclists and pedestrians away from busy roads opened today.

London's first 'Quietway', dubbed Q1, opened today between Greenwich and Waterloo.

The route passes through the London boroughs of Lambeth, Southwark, Lewisham and the Royal Borough of Greenwich, the fully sign-posted route also includes wider footways and better crossing facilities for pedestrians.

The 9km-long "Quietway 1" route, is marked out with purple signs.

It connects with other cycling paths in the area including two cycle superhighways and links Waterloo through Bermondsey to Deptford and into Greenwich, ending near to the DLR station.

The Quietway is the first of its kind in the capital, but there are six more in the pipeline, which are due to be completed by spring next year.

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “It is important that we make it safer and easier for Londoners to cycle across our city and we want the first of the Quietways to make a significant contribution towards that aim.

"I am already looking at what works best from the existing cycle schemes to ensure we deliver the best and safest road cycling network possible. Cycling leads to a healthier lifestyle, it helps to cut pollution and is a key part of my vision of the type of greener, more modern and affordable transport network we need in our city.”