Boris Johnson plans three new cycle superhighways for London

Boris Johnson today pressed ahead with plans for three cycle superhighways as his successor as Mayor was urged to continue his “cycling revolution”.

Transport for London launched consultation on building protected bike lanes on the A40 Westway flyover, between Swiss Cottage and the West End and between Farringdon and King’s Cross.

The detailed proposals - which follow in-principle backing from a 2014 consultation - are being rushed out to ensure responses are received before purdah starts on March 21 and City Hall business is suspended prior to the May 5 mayoral election.

One of three eastbound lanes on the Westway would be removed to accommodate the two-way superhighway, part of the Mayor’s flagship “Crossrail for bikes” between Acton and Barking.

TfL modelling suggests cars travelling east to Edgware Road would face an extra delay of “one to two minutes”. But westbound journeys would by be six to eight minutes quicker as a third lane would be added to ease a bottleneck at Savoy Circus.

City Hall aides say the new routes reflect the fact that cycling into central London has trebled in 15 years while car use has fallen sharply. There will be more bike commuters than car commuters in several years if trends continue.

Andrew Gilligan, the Mayor’s cycling commissioner, said the Westway proposal created a “fast and direct route to a vast swathe of west London and employment opportunities in Park Royal, Old Oak Common, Ealing, Acton and Shepherd’s Bush”.

He said: “All these town centres will all be within easy reach of central London. It will take 15 minutes to get from East Acton to the West End on a bike. It will be the quickest way to travel.”

He added: “The next Mayor has got to decide whether he supports [cycle superhighways] or not.”

Mr Johnson said: “Almost one million more Londoners will be given easy access to safe cycling routes under these plans. That’s vital if we are to meet the challenge of London’s population boom.

“With schemes already in progress across London, these new proposals will create a complete network reaching north, south, east and west. By careful planning we have also been able to deliver a balance of benefits for pedestrians and motorists.”

The proposals for the CS11 superhighway would remove the Swiss Cottage gyratory and prevent rat-running in Regent’s Park by closing four park gates, except between 11am-3pm. Through traffic will be banned from Avenue Road.