Transport for London (TfL) has unveiled plans for a major extension to west London’s Cycleway 9 route between Brentford and Hounslow.
The plans include:
- 4.1km of new protected cycle lanes along Hounslow High Street, London Road and Brentford High Street, to keep people cycling separated from motor traffic
- A new cycle connection to Brentford Dock and the Grand Union Canal
- A new signalised junction with pedestrian crossings at The Ham
- Improved pedestrian crossings on High Street in Hounslow
- Improved pedestrian crossings and cycle connections to and from Spur Road and Twickenham Road
- New trees and other improvements to make the area look and feel more pleasant, while also helping to adapt to climate change
The changes, which are out to consultation until Wednesday 16 February 2022, would be part of a wider series of infrastructure upgrades by TfL and local councils along the busy Cycleway 9 corridor.
However, the cash-strapped London transport authority warned that the extension would be dependent on it securing a sufficient long-term future funding agreement with Government.
Prime minister Boris Johnson suggested in his national press conference this week, in response to questions from London's Evening Standard, that a funding settlement would not be forthcoming without London mayor Sadiq Khan agreeing to put up fares.
Mr Khan has been forced into a series of concessions as he has tried to negotiate financial support from Government in the wake of the pandemic, including a £20 rise in council tax. However he has previously refused to put up fares.
Mr Johnson also repeated the false claim that he left the TfL without debt when he was mayor.
In fact TfL had a £1.5bn deficit and Mr Johnson agreed with the then government to end the grant it had received, which made the authority so vulnerable to loss of fare revenue from COVID in the first place.
Will Norman, London’s Walking and Cycling Commissioner said: 'We’ve seen a massive increase in people walking and cycling in the past few years and we are working closely with boroughs like Hounslow and Hammersmith & Fulham to help transform roads and make sure there is enough space for people to walk and cycle around the capital safely.
'If TfL secures a long-term financial deal with the Government which allows this cycleway extension to go ahead, pedestrians and cyclists could see huge benefits from the new connections to the Brentford Dock and Grand Union Canal.'
Since May 2020, more than 100km of new or upgraded cycle lanes have been built or are under construction, TfL said.
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