TfL starts work on Bishopsgate active travel and public transport upgrades

Transport for London (TfL) has started work on transforming Bishopsgate to be a 'less intimidating place' which prioritises walking and cycling.

The new traffic restrictions between Shoreditch and London Bridge are a key part of the Mayor of London and TfL's Streetspace plans, which aim to radically reduce levels of cars in central London in a step towards becoming one of the largest car-free zones in any capital city in the world.

These traffic restrictions on Bishopsgate and Gracechurch Street in the City of London - streets that connect major cultural and financial centres - will be in operation on weekdays between 07:00 and 19:00.

In addition to removing most traffic - making it safer and nicer to cycle, and improving bus journey times - TfL is widening footways along this part of the A10 corridor to provide more space for people walking.

A number of banned turns, which will be in operation 24 hours a day, are also being introduced along the road.

This is to reduce the level of motor traffic on the road around the clock, and “reduce the risk of a car-based recovery”.

Access for emergency services and disabled people will be maintained and signage is being introduced on local roads to make the new restrictions clear, including no motor vehicle access between Middlesex Street to Liverpool Street, and Leadenhall Street to Fenchurch Street. The new zone is set to be operational by the start of August.

Work is also set to begin on a 3.7km upgrade to an older cycle route, CS7, in south west London.

Work in Balham and Tooting will add new sections of protected cycle lane to the existing route, which is one of London's busiest.

The route follows a busy section of the Northern line and will help to create extra space on the Tube for people who cannot cycle.

Boroughs have been awarded £30m of funding to reallocate road space away from motor traffic and to make walking and cycling safer and easier.

The Mayor and TfL have also set out plans to adapt celebrations for Car Free Day in light of coronavirus through a campaign to encourage more people to walk and cycle.

TfL will work with boroughs and partners to ask people to share their walking and cycling stories online and will highlight the benefits that walking and cycling has for high streets, the environment and the health and wellbeing of Londoners.

Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, said: “Enabling more people to walk and cycle is key to a green recovery for our city, and our Streetspace for London plans will make a huge immediate difference as staff return to work.”

Gareth Powell, TfL's managing director for surface transport, said transport will be at the heart of London's green, healthy and sustainable recovery from coronavirus.

Powell said transport levels are running close to normal levels.

He said: “The first walking and cycling priority zone on Bishopsgate will play a central role in enabling people who are returning to work to do so safely and without relying on cars.”