Countless narrow escapes have led to the removal of a section of a cycle superhighway in Stratford.
But a cycling group say its loss is a step back for road safety.
The removal of CS2 leading up to the Tramway Avenue sliproad off Stratford Broadway means cyclists will have to ride alongside traffic before joining CS2 where it now starts after the junction – alongside a bus stop.
TfL says the stretch, which was painted over on September 5 – less than a year after it was introduced – was removed following mounting safety concerns from Newham Council, cyclists, pedestrians and the police.
But Kerena Fussell, joint co-ordinator of Newham Cyclists, said: “At least the blue paint and the bollards made the traffic slow down and was some protection. Now we have gone back to absolutely nothing.
“Before CS2 we all dealt with it [the traffic] but putting in CS2 made it better and now it has been taken away again.”
At one stage, TfL made two changes in a week in an attempt to make drivers and cyclists more aware of each other’s presence, including adding reflective bollards – something that Kerena says caused confusion for all road users. Four changes have been made to it in some ridiculously short period of time and part of our concern is how much money has been wasted on it,” she added.
“If they are changing this infrastructure, the least they could do is talk to the people who use it.”
Cllr Ian Corbett, mayoral adviser for environment and infrastructure, said concerns about CS2 had been raised following “a number of serious near misses”.
“The council has made clear to TfL the urgent need to fully address all safety issues at this location and review the design proposals,” he said. “This should be done in conjunction with key stakeholders such as the council, police, emergency services and cycling groups.”
Alan Bristow, director of road space management at TfL, said the removal of the cycle superhighway is a temporary measure.
“We will return to install the final, agreed design later this year once the local development works are fully completed, and remain committed to provide safe cycling infrastructure across London.”
Read more:
Big Read: Dicing with death on Cycle Superhighway, CS2, from Tower Hamlets to Newham
London’s Cycle Superhighway is being extended from Bow to Stratford as Olympic Park re-opens
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