Construction work on a new two-mile cycle route along the A40 between Acton and Wood Lane (similar to the one in the picure, taken abroad) is set to begin later this month.
The route will help make cycling and walking safer and easier within the borough and across to Hammersmith & Fulham.
Work on the route – which includes a new two-way cycle track separated from traffic and pedestrians – will get under way on 18 March and is expected to be complete by the end of the year.
More than three-quarters (77 %) of people who took part in a Transport for London (TfL) consultation about the scheme in 2016 supported the proposals. Several improvements have been incorporated in the final plans following feedback from residents and visitors.
These include extending the two-way cycle track from Glendun Road to Savoy Circus, as well as widening crossing points to allow people walking and cycling to cross side roads more safely. The full report, which responds to issues raised, is available on the TfL website.
The new £10million route is designed to enable people to walk, cycle and use public transport more often – benefiting people’s health, improving air quality and reducing road danger.
It will create a new two-way cycle track separated from traffic and pedestrians between Kathleen Avenue and Savoy Circus. The project will also see the shared cyclist and pedestrian space on the southern side of the A40 between Savoy Circus and Wood Lane improved, providing more space to enable even more people to get around the area by foot or by bike.
Bus stops along the route will be made more accessible, while the toucan crossings at Savoy Circus will be upgraded and pedestrian and cycle crossings along the route will be improved to provide wider and safer crossings of side roads. The scheme has been designed to help make the local environment between Acton and Wood Lane more attractive for residents and visitors.
From mid-April the A40 will be reduced from three lanes to two in some sections for westbound traffic, 24 hours a day during works. The A40 will be much busier than usual travelling westbound, especially during the afternoon peak (weekdays 2–6pm). People are advised to plan ahead, travel outside peak periods, and allow more time for journeys. One of the best ways of making journeys to and from the area during these works will be by Tube. Local trips in the area could also be quicker and easier by bike. Full travel advice will be available on the TfL website at https://tfl.gov.uk/acton-wood-lane
‘Help reduce congestion and air pollution’
Council leader Julian Bell said: “This route will provide an easier and safer way for residents to make their journey to and from our borough – it will help to reduce congestion and tackle dangerous levels of air pollution. It’s great to see more safe, segregated cycling routes being built across the borough which will make it easier and more attractive for residents to switch to more sustainable modes of transport. During the construction of the new cycle route, I’d encourage people in the area to plan ahead and to allow more time for their journeys.”
Will Norman, London’s walking and cycling commissioner, said: “I’m delighted that construction on this protected route will start in just a few weeks’ time. Together with the recently announced four-mile route between Kensington Olympia, Hammersmith and Brentford town centre, it will transform cycling in west London and help expand our network of cycle routes across our city. We know that there is high demand for cycling in the area and the improved plans will deliver further improvements for walking and cycling, helping reduce car use which is crucial to cleaning up London’s toxic air.”
