Background
Transport for London (TfL) is consulting on a new cycle route between Plumstead and the Woolwich Ferry. This will eventually link up with Cycleway 4 when it is extended from Anchor and Hope Lane in Charlton. Cycleway 4 is a major cycle route and we anticipate there being a significant flow of cycling traffic once it is joined up, providing a continuous route into Tower Bridge. We therefore expect the design to meet LTN 1/20 (coherent, direct, safe, comfortable and attractive) and London Cycling Design Standards. We are pleased to see plans being put forward to make cycling safer in Woolwich, which is one of the borough’s major growth areas. We hope that these proposals will be transformative for active travel in this part of Greenwich.
Beresford Street
The proposed two-way cycle route on Beresford Street is a strong improvement given the lack of any infrastructure at present. However, we have some suggestions for improvements. Several dropped kerbs are required to allow riders to exit the cycle track at existing bike parking locations and additional cycle parking is needed for access to local businesses. We hope that the TfL render showing a tree and four Sheffield stands having been removed is an omission and not part of the proposal. Improvements can be made to the route from Burrage Road into Arsenal Way and access to Woolwich Arsenal needs to be easy. Pedestrian crossing points should be clearly marked. The proposals suggest that cyclists going westbound at the junction of Beresford Street and Macbean Street will be using a shared path, which should be separated because it is likely to become unsustainable at peak times.
Under LCDS 7.2.5, a coloured surface of RAL5015 needs to be installed where the route is crossed by uncontrolled motor traffic at Maxey Road, Parry Place, Creton Street and other access points on Beresford Street. The same colour could be used at pedestrian crossing points on the cycle track. Where the cycle track crosses the end of a road, the track should be close to the road unless enough space is created to allow an exiting motor vehicle to clear the track to wait for an opportunity to proceed. Where raised tables are installed, these should be short ramps (e.g. 0.5m long when rising to 20cm) to ensure that they are noticed by drivers. All cycle access should be suitable for specialist and cargo bikes. Care should be taken in the construction of the lane to ensure that the surface is smoother than that on the existing cycle track on Plumstead Road.
Powis Street and Macbean Street
The Powis Street and Macbean Street section is suitable only as a temporary solution for extending Cycleway 4. Powis Street is narrow, carries buses and motor traffic and is partly pedestrianised. There is a large number of shops at the eastern end with significant footfall. This creates the potential for conflict between pedestrians and cyclists at the proposed turn from Powis Street into Macbean Street. People on foot may not be aware that they should look out for traffic due to the current road layout. At present, cycling is not permitted on parts of Powis Street. Extensive signage will be required, along with markings, to make people aware of the changes and prevent pedestrians and cyclists from coming into conflict. These markings should extend into Macbean Street.
The junction of Macbean Street and Creton Street must be redesigned to ensure a continuous marked route southbound. The pedestrian crossing will need to be adjusted and a change to the kerb line on the bend may be required. We are interested to see the proposal to create Dutch-style markings on Macbean Street, where space for motor vehicles is reduced in favour of cycling provision. As this road is generally used by a limited number of drivers, we hope that they will become familiar with the new design fairly quickly.
Avoiding the detour from the main and more direct route via Woolwich High Street would provide for safer and quicker journeys. Woolwich High Street has two dual carriageways at different levels, making it difficult to modify. It has no bus route heading eastbound. It should therefore be possible to make the current eastbound dual carriageway into a single-lane road in each direction for general motor traffic, which aligns with the single lane on Woolwich Church Street and Plumstead High Street. This would allow for the westbound dual carriageway to be used for a bus lane and two-way cycle track. Moving bus stands into Powis Street would allow buses to travel via Hare Street, which already has bus stops. To do so, Hare Street should be made one way in the other direction to allow anti-clockwise bus travel. Buses can then follow the Woolwich Ferry roundabout to proceed in whichever direction they require. Continuing the single carriageway design through to Macbean Street on Beresford Street would allow the cycle track to join the proposed cycling route. It would also help the Royal Borough of Greenwich to meet its target of reducing vehicle traffic by 45% by 2030.
Further issues
We would like to see cycling access via Woolwich New Road and an increase in cycle parking at Woolwich Station, where the existing spaces are regularly full and there is clear demand. Lowering the speed limit to 20mph would help reduce road danger, while measures such as SuDS and greenery would further improve the streetscape, thereby encouraging active travel.
Summary
- Greenwich Cyclists are pleased to support both parts of this proposal, which will help make cycling safer in the Woolwich area.
- The Powis Street section aids access to the town centre, helping support local businesses.
- The two-way cycle track on Beresford Street is in line with existing cycleway design standards and should help keep riders safe.
- We look forward to further improvements being made to create a more direct cycle route along Woolwich High Street.
The consultation closes on Sunday 25 February. You can have your say here.
Greenwich Cyclists 