TfL considering modifying cycle lane on Blackfriars Bridge

Worth watching to the end, even though it's more than six minutes.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4H9SINEWUqY

Support the LCC campaign for 20mph on Blackfriars Bridge:

http://lcc.org.uk/articles/add-your-snapshot-to-our-photo-petition-give-us-the-freedom-to-walk-or-ride-blackfriars-must-stay-20mph

Oliver
LCC

Worth watching to the end, even though it's more than six minutes.

Six minutes! Cyclists don't have time to watch six minutes of their mayor explaining the decisions which directly affect their every day lives! Are you mad? There are memes to be generated.

'But time hurries on, and the leaves that are green turn to brown.'

Everything is deciduous to you isn't it Oliver?

Perhaps, I'm not too sure. You'll have to leave that one with me while I make up my mind.

I did not like Southwark Bridge for that reason, I get honked at if I choose to ride on the road as it's faster, easier and have more error room, a lots less riskier than the narrow cycle lane with a ridiculously huge kerbs inbetween both lane.

segregated bike lane usually reduced the driver's awareness because they think cyclists won't be on that particular road.

i thought there was plenty of room on that bike lane and didn't really have a problem when i re-joined traffic, but i see your point about driver awareness. and yes, the kerbs are a little high.

If someone step out onto the bicycle lane unexpectedly, do you think you'll have enough room to manoeuvre away safety from the said person?

The 20mph campaign has made some progress with the London Assembly today unanimously supporting this motion:

Wednesday, 20 July 2011

Assembly calls for review of Blackfriars Bridge speed limit
London Assembly members today unanimously called on the Mayor to order a full scale review of the speed limit on Blackfriars Bridge. The move follows a decision to revert to a 30 mph speed limit on the bridge following a temporary 20 mph restriction during works on the bridge.
**
Jenny Jones AM**, who proposed the amended motion, said:
“I believe that safety for all road users should be our top priority and that a permanent 20 mph speed limit on Blackfriars Bridge could help reduce casualties and save lives as well as the expense of cashes. I’m pleased to have the unanimous backing of the Assembly in our call for the Mayor to have a fresh think about Blackfriars Bridge on the basis of a full scale review of all the facts.”

The amended motion was seconded by** Caroline Pidgeon, AM**, who said:
“A third of the peak time traffic across Blackfriars Bridge are cyclists and we already know that they are at significantly more risk when travelling across bridges than they are on similar city roads. That’s why we want Transport for London (TfL) to take a robust look at the safety of all users on Blackfriars Bridge and for the Mayor to use the facts to put safety first."
**
Andrew Boff AM**, who moved a successful amendment to the motion, said:
“I am staggered that so many cyclists use Blackfriars Bridge, if it was on my commuting route I wouldn’t because it is too dangerous. I hope a full review of the new layout and speed limits on the bridge and the publication of all the relevant data will result in a sensible solution that will address the needs and safety of all users."

The full text of the motion reads as follows:
“This Assembly notes the decision to revert to a 30 mph speed limit on Blackfriars Bridge. We also note the recent decision of the Corporation of London to consider plans for the whole of the City of London to become a 20 mph zone, and understand that if they take this decision they would be likely to ask Transport for London to agree to make TfL roads 20 mph. This Assembly asks that the Mayor instructs TfL to implement a full review investigating the practicalities, advantages and disadvantages of a 20 mph limit on Blackfriars Bridge. The review should include previous TfL reports, such as that on 20 mph speed limit on London’s Thames bridges and also the effect of such a change on all road users (including pedestrians) north, south or on the bridge itself. Meanwhile, TfL should keep under review the decision to revert to a 30 mph speed limit on Blackfriars Bridge. We also urge the Mayor to revisit the plans for the bridge with particular attention to cyclists making right turns when exiting the bridge at either end.”
**
Notes for editors:**

[*]The motion was agreed unanimously at a meeting of the full Assembly today. Watch the webcast.
[*]As well as investigating issues that matter to Londoners, the London Assembly acts as a check and a balance on the Mayor.

Reactions:

LCC: http://lcc.org.uk/articles/all-party-support-for-london-assembly-motion-calling-for-rethink-of-blackfriars-junction

Danny Williams: http://cyclelondoncity.blogspot.com/2011/07/now-tfl-pitches-people-on-foot-versus.html

Really bad news on the Blackfriars Bridge front I'm afraid. Despite 1000s of people petitioning, writing, lobbying and protesting, despite the Mayor saying the designs "need work" and despite a cross-party supported motion from the London Assembly calling for a review of the design and 20mph limit, Transport for London are going ahead with their plans anyway from Friday night. By Monday morning it will be mostly a done deal. Everyone is f*cking furious about it. Talk about a slap in the face for democracy! Who exactly runs London?

Critical Mass is going to head for the Bridge on Friday night, and there's going to be a go slow flashride on Monday morning so that TfL don't think it's a done deal before work.

All the details (and rabble rousing) over on my blog here:
http://ibikelondon.blogspot.com/2011/07/last-stand-in-battle-for-blackfriars.html
Please come Forumungers! TfL's road designs on this bridge have killed before, and we've exhausted all democractic avenues. What else are we supposed to do?

^ +1

and

https://www.lfgss.com/post2310816-416.html

It seems work on Blackfriars Bridge will start overnight on 1st Aug. This doesn't give any chance for challenge or review.

This will be in line with the original plans TfL had - with NO cycle lanes, and they're doing this over one weekend.

I wonder what the point is of inviting consultation - when they (Tfl) get responses they don't like, and when a member of the GLA (Jenny Jones) questions the Mayor, they just do what they want to do all along...

perhaps a protest? a dirty one (track)standing on the middle bridge all night.

a good ol' fashion protest, but with ketchup instead of blood, it may be a long time.

it really annoying that it already set in stone, in fact it sound very much like it have already several months ago (which may explain why the major didn't bring it up during questioning), it seemed that TfL letting people gloat and moan about it giving them the illusion they're reviewing other suggestion.

It seems work on Blackfriars Bridge will start overnight on 1st Aug. This doesn't give any chance for challenge or review.

This will be in line with the original plans TfL had - with NO cycle lanes, and they're doing this over one weekend.

I wonder what the point is of inviting consultation - when they (Tfl) get responses they don't like, and when a member of the GLA (Jenny Jones) questions the Mayor, they just do what they want to do all along...

Wait a minute...NO cycle lanes? What the fuck!

I don't mind the lack of cycle lane (meaning cyclists is less likely to hug the kerbs), but the fact there'll be 3 lane AND 30 mph limit is what bother me the most.

Funny thing is, they can easily make one of the lane as a proper cycle lane (the full lane, not the tiny pathetic one that put people at greater risk).

I don't mind the lack of cycle lane (meaning cyclists is less likely to hug the kerbs), but the fact there'll be 3 lane AND 30 mph limit is what bother me the most.

Funny thing is, they can easily make one of the lane as a proper cycle lane (the full lane, not the tiny pathetic one that put people at greater risk).

I think that lane is useful, particularly in its current dimensions, as it shows we have a right to be on the road. With another lane and a 30mph limit, that's surely going to entice more irate drivers stuck behind cyclists to do something rash...

What are the limits on the other bridges?

I don't mind the lack of cycle lane (meaning cyclists is less likely to hug the kerbs), but the fact there'll be 3 lane AND 30 mph limit is what bother me the most.

Funny thing is, they can easily make one of the lane as a proper cycle lane (the full lane, not the tiny pathetic one that put people at greater risk).

agreed

Things have evolved overnight.

There's now an LCC-led ride over the bridge. Congregate for 6pm departure from south side of Blackfriars Bridge. If you want to join the Critical Mass, you can do so afterwards.

More details here http://cyclelondoncity.blogspot.com/2011/07/bulldozers-move-in-on-saturday-this.html

I'll be at the LCC ride.

I think the issue with Boris is that he doesn't seem to intervene with TfL in the slightest and has allowed TfL to hire roads people who seem to think cycling is an anachronism. It's not a class issue. It's an issue about why the Mayor won't tell his transport people to focus on cycling properly. That's all this comes down to. The Mayor doesn't see us as a vote winner, essentially.

Great analysis by Christian Wolmar out today:

"Boris’s failure to understand how to turn London into a cycle friendly city with a range of measures – listed in the latest edition of London Cyclist – means that the cycle hire scheme will not achieve its full potential, and nor will London begin to see the levels of cycling common in large cities abroad."

[Sorry - don't want to repost in CM thread but this is relevant to both threads.]

I cross the bridge twice a day (cycling) and I have to say the biggest issue is irresponsible cyclists violating written rules (as well as common sense), forcing me (or other cyclists or motorists) on a regular basis to brake sharply in order to avoid a collision.

20mph or 30mph is a totally irrelevant question. There are many key issues for cyclists in London (and massive improvements in favour or cycling is essential) but I cannot understand why Blackfriars Bridge should be a focus point.

I cannot understand why Blackfriars Bridge should be a focus point.

2 reasons:

1) Search the Rider Down forum for the word "Blackfriars"

2) The original TfL proposal focused on safety for pedestrians and cyclists, and all of their research went that way, and all political parties agreed. Then TfL and the Mayor U-turned, and since then their behaviour has galvanised all opinion against them and forced what should have been a standard bit of planning into a major focus point.

So #1 was the trigger to open the debate, and the actions of TfL and the Mayor are why this is a spotlight issue now.

Things have evolved overnight.

There's now an LCC-led ride over the bridge. Congregate for 6pm departure from south side of Blackfriars Bridge. If you want to join the Critical Mass, you can do so afterwards.

More details here http://cyclelondoncity.blogspot.com/2011/07/bulldozers-move-in-on-saturday-this.html

I'll be at the LCC ride.

I think the issue with Boris is that he doesn't seem to intervene with TfL in the slightest and has allowed TfL to hire roads people who seem to think cycling is an anachronism. It's not a class issue. It's an issue about why the Mayor won't tell his transport people to focus on cycling properly. That's all this comes down to. The Mayor doesn't see us as a vote winner, essentially.

Great analysis by Christian Wolmar out today:

"Boris’s failure to understand how to turn London into a cycle friendly city with a range of measures – listed in the latest edition of London Cyclist – means that the cycle hire scheme will not achieve its full potential, and nor will London begin to see the levels of cycling common in large cities abroad."

[Sorry - don't want to repost in CM thread but this is relevant to both threads.]

well done,
its the same playing around the edges that the politicos do,
they are there for the photo shoots,
the will of population to cycle has never been greater in this country,
it will keep being stifled by weak leadership and playing round the edges

well done,
its the same playing around the edges that the politicos do,
they are there for the photo shoots,
the will of population to cycle has never been greater in this country,
it will keep being stifled by weak leadership and playing round the edges

well done who?

you for stepping up Alex!