I got an email from TFL last night. I submitted comments for the CS5 proposals so they occasionally update me on the progress.
I, as I'm sure did many others, suggested that CS5 should continue to Lewisham via backstreets where possible because there isn't much you can do with the New Cross one way system. It seems that they took the results of the consultation seriously which is good to know.
This is the update as they sent it to me for anyone that uses the route:
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Dear Sir or Madam
I’m writing to let you know about some changes to the previously-announced plans for the New Cross – Oval section of Barclays Cycle Superhighway Route 5 (CS5).
1. New Cross – Oval section of CS5 to be completed in 2014
We have decided to postpone the full opening of the New Cross – Ovalsection of CS5 until we have finalised our previously-announced plans for semi-segregation. Semi-segregation will see all the bus and mandatory cycle lanes on this part of the route separated from the general traffic using measures such as cats’ eyes, rumble strips, traffic ‘wands’, or a combination. Semi-segregation is not being done immediately as we are trialling which form of separation works best.
The blue surfacing and signage associated with Barclays Cycle Superhighways will therefore not be delivered as part of the first phase of work. We will however complete the previously announced road layout changes by early 2014 (except as outlined below). These changes include new cycle and bus lanes, road resurfacing, and new junction layouts. We will review these layouts as part of our work to install semi-segregation, to see if they can be even further improved for cyclists. Green cycle surfacing will be used until this part of the route is ready to be opened as a Barclays Cycle Superhighway.
We will also implement the new and extended 20mph speed limits in Camberwell town centre and New Cross respectively by early 2014. Additionally, we are proposing a new 20mph speed limit in Peckham town centre, and will consult on this early next year.
As previously stated, we are substantially upgrading the previous proposals for the Oval – central London section of CS5. We plan to consult on these in 2014.
2. New proposals for CS5 at New Cross Gate
We are currently working with Lewisham Council to explore the feasibility of extending CS5 to Lewisham station and Greenwich town centre using quieter backstreet roads and, potentially, a bridge over the railway at New Cross Gate. This extension is highly likely to use a different route or design compared to the current proposals. Therefore, to avoid undertaking costly and disruptive work in New Cross for a facility which is then superseded by the extension, TfL has decided to postpone plans to build the final 400 metres of Phase 1 of CS5 (Section 15 of the original proposals). The first phase of CS5 will therefore end at the junction of Queen’s Road and New Cross Road, as we continue to develop improved proposals for the route east of that point. We will still extend the existing 20mph speed limit in New Cross, as outlined in the original proposals.
3. Changes to plans for initial improvements in Camberwell town centre
We no longer plan to introduce a left turn only lane from Camberwell New Road into Camberwell Green as part of the first phase of CS5. Our latest traffic modelling analysis of the plans here showed that the change would have a significant impact on bus, freight and general traffic journey times through the area at busy times.
However, we will introduce a new mandatory cycle lane on the eastbound exit of this junction, adjusting the traffic islands to create more space for cyclists. This will complement the new 20mph speed limit between Medlar Street and Benhill Road, new sections of cycle lane on Camberwell Church Street and extended Advanced Stop Lines, which will also be delivered as part of this first phase of CS5. A plan of the revised junction layout is available at www.tfl.gov.uk/cs5camberwell. The work is planned for January 2014.
As explained in the Response to consultation, we are delivering initial improvements in Camberwell as part of the first phase of CS5. We are continuing discussions with Southwark Council regarding further improvements as part of the wider town centre scheme.
4. Footway extension at Harleyford Street / Meadow Road toucan crossing deferred until 2014
The Response to consultation outlined our intention to extend the northern footway at the shared crossing in order to provide more space for pedestrians and cyclists. However, we have since concluded that it would be less disruptive to undertake this work as part of the inner section of CS5, which is scheduled for consultation in 2014. Proposals for the inner section are likely to involve significant changes to the road layout in this area, meaning that any work undertaken now could need to be altered or removed soon after completion.
We will keep you updated about our plans for the full opening of the Oval – New Cross section of CS5 and about consultation on revised proposals for the Oval – central London section.
I, as I'm sure did many others, suggested that CS5 should continue to Lewisham via backstreets where possible because there isn't much you can do with the New Cross one way system. It seems that they took the results of the consultation seriously which is good to know.
This is the update as they sent it to me for anyone that uses the route:
----------------------------
Dear Sir or Madam
I’m writing to let you know about some changes to the previously-announced plans for the New Cross – Oval section of Barclays Cycle Superhighway Route 5 (CS5).
1. New Cross – Oval section of CS5 to be completed in 2014
We have decided to postpone the full opening of the New Cross – Ovalsection of CS5 until we have finalised our previously-announced plans for semi-segregation. Semi-segregation will see all the bus and mandatory cycle lanes on this part of the route separated from the general traffic using measures such as cats’ eyes, rumble strips, traffic ‘wands’, or a combination. Semi-segregation is not being done immediately as we are trialling which form of separation works best.
The blue surfacing and signage associated with Barclays Cycle Superhighways will therefore not be delivered as part of the first phase of work. We will however complete the previously announced road layout changes by early 2014 (except as outlined below). These changes include new cycle and bus lanes, road resurfacing, and new junction layouts. We will review these layouts as part of our work to install semi-segregation, to see if they can be even further improved for cyclists. Green cycle surfacing will be used until this part of the route is ready to be opened as a Barclays Cycle Superhighway.
We will also implement the new and extended 20mph speed limits in Camberwell town centre and New Cross respectively by early 2014. Additionally, we are proposing a new 20mph speed limit in Peckham town centre, and will consult on this early next year.
As previously stated, we are substantially upgrading the previous proposals for the Oval – central London section of CS5. We plan to consult on these in 2014.
2. New proposals for CS5 at New Cross Gate
We are currently working with Lewisham Council to explore the feasibility of extending CS5 to Lewisham station and Greenwich town centre using quieter backstreet roads and, potentially, a bridge over the railway at New Cross Gate. This extension is highly likely to use a different route or design compared to the current proposals. Therefore, to avoid undertaking costly and disruptive work in New Cross for a facility which is then superseded by the extension, TfL has decided to postpone plans to build the final 400 metres of Phase 1 of CS5 (Section 15 of the original proposals). The first phase of CS5 will therefore end at the junction of Queen’s Road and New Cross Road, as we continue to develop improved proposals for the route east of that point. We will still extend the existing 20mph speed limit in New Cross, as outlined in the original proposals.
3. Changes to plans for initial improvements in Camberwell town centre
We no longer plan to introduce a left turn only lane from Camberwell New Road into Camberwell Green as part of the first phase of CS5. Our latest traffic modelling analysis of the plans here showed that the change would have a significant impact on bus, freight and general traffic journey times through the area at busy times.
However, we will introduce a new mandatory cycle lane on the eastbound exit of this junction, adjusting the traffic islands to create more space for cyclists. This will complement the new 20mph speed limit between Medlar Street and Benhill Road, new sections of cycle lane on Camberwell Church Street and extended Advanced Stop Lines, which will also be delivered as part of this first phase of CS5. A plan of the revised junction layout is available at www.tfl.gov.uk/cs5camberwell. The work is planned for January 2014.
As explained in the Response to consultation, we are delivering initial improvements in Camberwell as part of the first phase of CS5. We are continuing discussions with Southwark Council regarding further improvements as part of the wider town centre scheme.
4. Footway extension at Harleyford Street / Meadow Road toucan crossing deferred until 2014
The Response to consultation outlined our intention to extend the northern footway at the shared crossing in order to provide more space for pedestrians and cyclists. However, we have since concluded that it would be less disruptive to undertake this work as part of the inner section of CS5, which is scheduled for consultation in 2014. Proposals for the inner section are likely to involve significant changes to the road layout in this area, meaning that any work undertaken now could need to be altered or removed soon after completion.
We will keep you updated about our plans for the full opening of the Oval – New Cross section of CS5 and about consultation on revised proposals for the Oval – central London section.
