Upgrades designed to improve cycle and pedestrian safety at Lea Bridge Roundabout, a key route into the Centre of London, will begin next week as part of a major new “cycling corridor”, Transport for London (TfL) has confirmed.
A series of segregated cycle lanes and traffic lights will be built to enable cyclists to navigate the roundabout away from road traffic. Work is set to begin on 13 March.
The changes will form part of the new Cycleway 23 route connecting Lea Bridge and Dalston, with the first section in Millfields Park having been completed last year.
Pedestrian crossings will also be upgraded and new trees added as part of the £15m Cycleway 23 construction project, which is expected to last until October.
The move to improve the safety of cyclists comes after the junction saw 21 collisions, including four involving bicycles, in the past five years, according to TfL’s road safety data.
Will Norman, London’s Walking and Cycling Commissioner, said: “This will deliver much-needed protected cycle lanes and upgraded pedestrian crossings, making it easier and safer for Londoners to walk and cycle at this key junction in Hackney.”
“These crucial improvements will help us continue to build upon the boom in cycling we’ve recently seen, helping all cyclists keep safe on the roads,” he added
A public consultation for the Cycleway 23 project began in 2019 but, due to the pandemic and funding issues, the route will not be completed until at least Spring 2024.
Cycleway 23 is one of London’s growing networks of designated cycleways, linked to Cycle Superhighway 1 in Moorgate.
Councillor Mete Coban, Hackney’s cabinet member for environment and transport, said: “These improvements to Lea Bridge Roundabout are another piece of the cycling jigsaw in Hackney.”
Since April last year, TfL has completed 14.6km of a planned 39km of new or upgraded cycle routes in the capital, including improvements at Streatham High Road and Manor Circus.
