Gyratory traffic schemes, extended one - way systems etc

A measured response @Oliver Schick, thanks. I can see what you mean about this tight left turning east- to north-bound.

I feel that one way systems have a terrifying effect on relative traffic speeds, especially where 'catching' traffic lights seems to cause acceleration.

I feel that one way systems have a terrifying effect on relative traffic speeds, especially where 'catching' traffic lights seems to cause acceleration.

They all do, it's like a racing circuit, actually it could easily be one if all the light is green and cars can comfortably take the corner at 50mph.

Almost got hit by one of the two motorists doing 70mph barely jumping a red light in Wandsworth, I guess the curve and sweep of the road is very inviting for vehicles that handle very well.

I really hate it, it's hard enough to try and go through several lane to get into the lane I need to take, I can't imaging how a normal person can deal with the excessive speed and manoverve of other motorists, yet still be a lots quicker than taking the stupid cycle path that mix with peds and easily add an extra miles just to get 300 metres ahead.

Seems Victoria is to be added here. I always feel extremely vulnerable there, since the roads have hoardings and barriers all around.

I feel that one way systems have a terrifying effect on relative traffic speeds, especially where 'catching' traffic lights seems to cause acceleration.

Burst speeds, yes. There isn't actually a problem with high speeds in London apart from their unevenness. Quite a lot of the time, people are stuck and then they succumb to the illusion that if they really floor it when they see a clear street ahead they'll actually get ahead more quickly. They only end up being stuck in the next queue more quickly, and as they arrive at the back of the queue much more quickly than people can move off at the front, they only exacerbate congestion that way.

Skülly will like this one:

http://www.standard.co.uk/news/transport/strand-redesign-will-make-choking-traffic-give-way-to-pedestrians-and-cyclists-10325603.html

Anyone who redesigns the Strand to have c. 30m of pavement needs their head looking at.

Speaking of crap one-way systems, I walk past the Tottenham Court Road/Euston Road Junction next to Warren St tube most days. It's only a matter of time before a cyclist is knocked off there with the traditional combination of cycle lane on the far left, most cyclists going straight on, left-hand lane of traffic (to the right of the cycle lane) all turning left.

Given how recently this was done it's difficult to have faith that the current schemes in development will be much better.

Given how recently this was done it's difficult to have faith that the current schemes in development will be much better.

This was designed a long time ago politically. Pre Gilligan, pre CS2 segregation and before the E/W, N/S design.

Linking Bush House and St Mary-le-Strand has been under discussion for quite a few years. It's not so outlandish a discussion. Still, you have to remember that these are vision drawings, not the finished scheme, although the political support is definitely there. Stranger pigs have flown. :)

Let's hope so. I struggle to comprehend how anyone can have thought that this was a good idea. It's not only dangerous for cyclists but it also slows the traffic flow down as cars can't turn left due to cyclists coming up the cycle path on their inside.

Another terrible loss of life on a one-way gyratory, this time at Aldwych, 45 yr old man killing by the driver of a bus. - furthermore I recall a bus being driven into another cyclist on that 'system', killing them, not very long ago.

Very sad news.

Serious incident on Marble Arch today, 25-08-17.

https://www.lfgss.com/conversations/309563/

Sadly, this deeply depressing scheme is still alive:

http://www.hackneygazette.co.uk/news/islington-council-wants-design-ideas-for-centre-of-old-street-roundabout-from-anyone-1-5309101

I do wish there was some way of stopping it. It is wrong in every single way.

Always interesting to see old photographs of current roundabouts before they were distorted in this way:

What interested me the most was Queen's Circus (just off Battersea Park) before roundaboutisation:

From a picture series on Battersea in the Evening Standard, which I've posted here:

https://www.lfgss.com/comments/14736301/

Here's an updated plan for Parliament Square. This has been around in various forms for some years:

https://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/unveiled-scheme-to-end-racetrack-parliament-square-a4345296.html

I personally don't favour this approach, which is centred on creating a large pedestrian space outside Westminster Abbey. I completely understand why that is being proposed, but from a motor traffic management perspective I think it would be much better to pedestrianise the square's west side, with the carriageway on Great George Street (along the north side) de-emphasised and traffic along that alignment reduced, perhaps by partial filtering east of Horse Guards Road. This would lead to a standard T-junction outside Parliament for all traffic to/from Victoria Street, a much simpler layout.