Construction work has started on a new 4.7km cycle route in south-west London, which will make cycling easier between Wandsworth Town Centre and Chelsea Bridge.

The route is the next stage of TfL’s trial upgrades along the existing Cycle Superhighway 8 (CS8) route and will connect to a section between Chelsea Bridge and Lambeth Bridge.

The changes are part of TfL's emergency response to the coronavirus pandemic, to allow Londoners more space to walk and cycle safely.

Currently, there is no protected cycling infrastructure along this busy corridor, which leaves cyclists vulnerable to collisions with motor traffic.

According to TfL data there were collisions involving 64 people cycling between November 2016 to November 2019, of which 11 were seriously injured.

Your Local Guardian: Wandsworth Town Station Wandsworth Town Station

TfL will be seeking feedback in the trial period of the changes, which include:

  • Widening of cycle lanes on Battersea Park Road, as well as extending advanced stop lines at junctions. Battersea Park Road will also be a 20mph zone to improve general traffic safety.
  • Building new widened cycle lanes on York Road, a new section of bus lane, which will operate 24 hours a day, as well as a new right turn ban onto York Place to limit delays and improve junction safety. York Road will also have a 20mph speed limit
  • Adding cycle signage on Macduff Road for easier wayfinding for cyclists and better driver awareness of cyclists at junctions.

Your Local Guardian: Cycle routes upgraded between Wandsworth Town and Chelsea BridgeCycle routes upgraded between Wandsworth Town and Chelsea Bridge

Will Norman, London's Walking and Cycling Commissioner said: “Londoners have shown a record-breaking demand for cycling over the past few months and I'm delighted that our bold new measures build on that momentum and ensure we're doing all we can to avoid a damaging car-based recovery.

“Enabling more people to walk and cycle is key to a green recovery for our city, and the Mayor’s world-leading improvements to London’s streets are enabling millions of journeys to be made by walking and cycling.”

Helen Cansick, TfL's Head of Healthy Streets Delivery, added: “Cycling has been an essential mode of transport for many people throughout the pandemic and we anticipate increasing numbers of people will want to cycle and walk in the area, as coronavirus restrictions begin to ease.

“We’re working to deliver more infrastructure across the capital to support these journeys and our work to upgrade sections of CS8 will help to make cycling easier and safer for thousands of people, as well as ensuring that there is enough space on public transport for those who need it most.”