Plans for west London's first cycle superhighway unveiled - with more than half of route segregated from traffic

Cycle Superhighway 9 will link Kensington Olympia to Brentford with nearly 6km of segregated track

Ross Lydall @RossLydallChief News Correspondent

21 September 2017

Plans for the first cycle superhighway in west London were unveiled today.

More than half of the 5.6-mile CS9 route between Kensington Olympia and Brentford town centre will be on segregated lanes, protecting riders from other traffic.

Cycle campaigners said it extended the superhighways network to parts of London where cycle infrastructure is “virtually non-existent”.

Construction is due to start late next year and could add to demands for a superhighway on Kensington High Street to create a link with the flagship East-West superhighway at Hyde Park.

Campaigners say it extends the superhighways network to parts of London where cycle infrastructure is “virtually non-existent”

The route links with already announced plans to enable cyclists to bypass the Hammersmith gyratory.

It diverts riders off Chiswick High Road at Turnham Green and onto residential streets, which will be closed to through traffic. Cyclists will also be able to bypass the busy Kew Bridge junction.

Mayor Sadiq Khan said: “This new cycle superhighway will bring a high-quality segregated cycle lane to west London for the very first time."

It will make a real difference in encouraging Londoners of all ages and abilities to get on their bikes and improve conditions for pedestrians across the area.”

The proposals, revealed as a consultation was launched today by Transport for London, also include five new traffic light junctions and improvements to 20 pedestrian crossings.

Simon Munk, infrastructure campaigner at London Cycling Campaign, said: “This route will tame several dangerous junctions, enable far more people of all ages and abilities to cycle to local shops, stations and into work and extend the cycle superhighway network to areas where cycling demand is high but cycling infrastructure is virtually non-existent.”

A single two-way superhighway will be built between Olympia and Turnham Green.

There will be no segregation as the route transfers onto Heathfield Terrace and Wellesley Road. Single lanes on either side of the road wil be built on the South Circular Road, Kew Bridge Road and Brentford High Street.

The intention is to eventually extend the route west into Hounslow, with a second consultation expected next year.

The CS9 proposals come after Mr Khan axed Boris Johnson’s plans to extend the East-West route into Acton via the A40 Westway flyover.

Will Norman, London’s Walking and Cycling Commissioner, said: “Cycle Superhighway 9 will be hugely important in helping cyclists in the west travel safely and inspire many more Londoners to take up cycling for the first time.”

Wesley Harcourt, Hammersmith & Fulham council cabinet member for environment, said: “As part of our aim of becoming the greenest borough in the country, we want to double the number of journeys in the borough being taken by bike.

"Key to that aim is making people feel safe. This new route enables people to get right across the borough and into central London easily, and without the fear of sharing space with large motor vehicles."

The entire route, between Olympia and Hounslow, is projected to cost up to £70 million, making it the most expensive cycle superhighway in London. It would be opened in stages as construction progresses.

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Plans for west London's first cycle superhighway unveiled - with more than half of route segregated from traffic

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