The Priory Lane consultation on cycle route improvement proposals is now open


image: the consultation document

A consultation has opened today (17 January) on proposals aimed 'to improve pedestrian facilities by removing the cycle track from the footway and providing a constant footway width of 2.0m'.

Priory Lane forms part of both the Borough and the National Cycle Route Network catering daily for over 1000 pedal cyclists. It is also a busy route for traffic as it runs parallel to Roehampton Lane, providing an alternative link between two main roads, Upper Richmond Road (red route) and the A3 Roehampton Vale.

Priory Lane is long and straight with a footway on only the northbound side of the road. In some parts of the road, peak mean speeds can reach up to 28mph which can make cycling intimidating. A cycle track therefore occupies half of the footway for much of its length so that cyclists, particularly those cycling more leisurely or with less confidence, are segregated from motor vehicles. In 2015 a regular contributor to the forum on this site Adam Gray comented: "The cycle lane is dodgy: it's very narrow, and in turn was added to a quite narrow pavement which means pedestrians are often squeezed onto it. There certainly is not space for two-way cyclist traffic and pedestrians; and that's before we take into account the different types of cyclist using it."

Alex Greenbank explained on the forum why many cyclist use the road and not the cycle lane on Priory Lane: "Because you have to cede priority at all of the side roads. Because it's often covered in broken glass or other rubbish. Because it's generally safer to ride on the road. Because it's generally faster to ride on the road. Because cyclists have a legal right to be on the road."

However, the current arrangement raises several issues, namely:
* the remaining footway is unsatisfactorily narrow for pedestrians
* many cyclists remain in the carriageway, as well as being observed in the cycle lane
* Priory Lane’s character as a cycling route where speeds should not go above 20mph is not clear to drivers
* the diversion of the cycle route through Bank Lane and Roehampton Gate is not practical, most cyclists choose to continue along Priory Lane as it is a more direct route

In the three-year period to December 2016 sixteen personal injury collisions were recorded in Priory Lane, twelve of which involved cyclists. It is also the site of a

The proposals which aim to improve pedestrian facilities are:
1 Remove the cycle track from the footway, except between Arabella Drive and the junction with Upper Richmond Road but converting this extension of track to northbound cycling only;
2 Install 1.5m wide northbound advisory cycle lane on the carriageway from Arabella Drive up to Danebury Avenue;
3 Provide a constant 2.0m wide footway from Arabella Drive up to Danebury Avenue;
4 Remove the centre line to encouraged drivers to focus on keeping a constant distance from the cycle lane rather than the centre line, which also assists in reducing vehicle speeds;
5 Install 5 raised junctions and 8 flat top speed tables to help enforce the 20mph speed limit and accentuate Priory Lane as a local road and cycling route;
6 Remove mini-roundabout at the junction with Dowdeswell Close and install a priority junction, giving priority to northbound cyclists over right turning traffic;
7 Introduce coloured surfacing across the mouth of priority junctions to raise awareness of the presence and priority of cyclists;
8 Install dropped kerbs at the junction with Bank Lane and a pedestrian refuge island and dropped kerbs at the junction with Clarence Lane to assist pedestrians crossing.

It is important for the Council to know the views of local residents and businesses before progressing with any improvements.

You can complete an online survey. If you require a paper copy of the consultation document or the questionnaire please email consult@wandsworth.gov.uk Deadline: 16 February 2018

Only one survey should be completed by each household or business.

January 17, 2018