Transport for London (TfL) has started work on the Hammersmith gyratory, with the aim of reducing danger to vulnerable road users on one of London’s most precarious junctions.
As part of its Vision Zero goal, of eliminating death and serious injury on the road network, TfL is working to redesign its road junctions. There were 30 collisions on the Hammersmith gyratory in the three-year period to December 2020, of which five involved a cyclist.
The work is the next stage of improvements along the Cycleway 9 (C9) and will provide a link in the growing network of routes in west London. Currently, there is no infrastructure for safer cycling at this busy location.
Additionally, roads and some local crossings are also difficult to navigate on foot. This new infrastructure will give people walking and cycling more space and aims to give people confidence to travel safely.
Will Norman, London’s walking and cycling commissioner, said: “The Hammersmith gyratory is of London’s most intimidating junctions, and these changes will have huge benefits for both pedestrians and cyclists travelling around the area.
“Protecting vulnerable road users and making London’s junctions safer for all is a key part of our Vision Zero commitment to eliminate death and serious injuries on London’s roads, and these improvements will offer more space and make it easier to navigate local roads, as well as providing a vital link in the growing network of cycle routes in west London.”
In September this year, an average of 2,354 people a day were counted cycling on a newly installed section of C9 on Chiswick High Road. Recent cycle counts from the Hammersmith gyratory on 12 October counted 2,844 people cycling between 0700-1900, which TfL said shows that thousands of people stand to benefit from this new infrastructure every day.
The changes will include a protected two-way cycle track on the north side, cyclist-specific signals, new pedestrian crossing signals and a new parallel crossing at the Butterwick junction. Works are expected to be completed by spring 2022.
Casey Abaraonye, chair of Hammersmith and Fulham Cyclists, added: “We are pleased that work is finally starting on this section of the cycleway. The gyratory is complex but it has long been a dangerous place and a major discouragement to cycling in the area. The upgrades will improve it both for those cycling and the many people walk across the roads there, including students and school children. It is a vital step in our aim for High Streets not Highways.”
