TfL sets out plans for next phase of work to make the Battersea Bridge area safer for people walking and cycling

29 November 2022
Proposed changes for the north and south sides of the bridge include new pedestrian crossings, bus lanes, cycle signals and a section of protected cycle track

Transport for London (TfL) is asking people to have their say on new plans to reduce  road danger for people walking and cycling on and near Battersea Bridge. Making roads and junctions safer for everyone is a key part of the Mayor's Vision Zero goal of eliminating death and serious injury on the capital's transport network.  

TfL brought forward work to improve safety on the bridge following the tragic death of Jack Ryan, who was killed following a collision with a vehicle in January 2021. The first phase of work on the north side of the bridge was completed in November last year and included a new pedestrian crossing, wider pavements and a new lower speed limit of 20mph.  

Following engagement with local residents, TfL is now proposing the next phase of changes at the northern end of the bridge. The changes would help to further improve safety and include:  

  • New, straight-across, push-button pedestrian crossings on Cheyne Walk, Chelsea Embankment and Beaufort Street 
  • Banning the left turn into Beaufort Street to motor traffic to reduce delays and wait times at the turning point, and to improve safety and eliminate the risk of left turning vehicles colliding with cyclists. Cyclists will still be able to access Beaufort Street via a shared use footway
  • Making improvements for cyclists at the junction by installing dedicated cycle signals and a section of segregated cycle track  
  • Building a new section of westbound bus lane from Royal Hospital Road to the bus stop at Beaufort Street to ensure bus journey times in the area are maintained 

TfL is also proposing changes at the southern end of the bridge, including:  

  • A new push-button pedestrian crossing on Battersea Bridge Road at Hester Road 
  • A bus gate, which would continue to improve bus journey times for buses travelling northwards 
  • A new pedestrian crossing at the Battersea Bridge Road / Battersea Church Road junction 
  • Extending the bus lane from Banbury Street northwards on Battersea Bridge Road to improve bus journey times   
  • Reconfiguring the crossing points at the junction of Battersea Bridge Road with the Prince of Wales Drive, widening pavements, removing the existing traffic island, and building two new push button crossings 
  • Banning the right turn from Battersea Bridge Road into Parkgate Road, and the left turn into the B305 to improve safety for people walking and cycling, including an "all green man" phase at the junction, and to help bus journey times 

TfL is asking people to have their say on the changes and a consultation is now open until 24 January at haveyoursay.tfl.gov.uk/batterseabridge. Feedback from the public is hugely valuable to ensuring that the changes work for everyone, making the local area a safer and more pleasant area to walk, cycle and spend time. 

London's Walking and Cycling Commissioner Will Norman said: "These proposed changes will play an important role in reducing road danger and making it safer for people to walk and cycle near Battersea Bridge. We are determined to build a safer, greener city for all Londoners - and improving junctions is a key part of our Vision Zero action plan to eliminate death and serious injury from London's roads.  I encourage all members of the community near Battersea Bridge to share their views on this consultation, so we can support everyone with safe and appealing routes to travel around London." 

Penny Rees, TfL's Head of Healthy Streets Investment, said: "We're determined to make roads safer for everyone and are committed to Vision Zero, the Mayor's goal to eliminate death and serious injury from the transport network. This next set of changes at both ends of Battersea Bridge would build on the changes made last year and help to further reduce danger to people walking and cycling here.  

"I'd like to thank local safety campaigners and the local community for working with us to develop these proposals and encourage everyone to take part in our consultation and to have their say." 

Chelsea resident and journalist Rob McGibbon led the campaign for a crossing to be installed after witnessing the aftermath of the accident in which Jack Ryan died last year.  He said: "I am delighted that TfL has committed to making these further changes at Battersea Bridge and Cheyne Walk. Everyone living in this area is hugely grateful for the work that has already been undertaken regarding pedestrian safety here. This next stage will make a massive difference. 

"I hope TfL will listen keenly to the consultation feedback - it is vital that we all continue to work together to find the right solutions for both the travelling public and the local community." 

TfL has so far reduced danger at 43 junctions across London as part of its Safer Junctions programme, with work at a further two locations set to start early next year. All locations in the Safer Junctions programme had higher-than-average collision rates and this improvement work is a vital part of TfL's Vision Zero ambition.   

TfL has launched local engagement on plans to introduce 28km of new 20mph speed limit on its roads within the boroughs of Camden, Islington, Hackney, Haringey and Tower Hamlets. The new speed limits would help to make a large area of London safer and more attractive for people in these communities to live, work and play, encouraging more people out of their cars to walk, cycle and use public transport. Wandsworth Council has also introduced a 20mph speed limit on all residential roads in Wandsworth.