London Borough of Cycling Audit Report April 2014

Prepared by: Steer Davies Gleave

Wandsworth Cycling Audit Report Introduction – background to the study

• Cycling in has grown considerably in recent years. Automatic cycle counters on the TLRN show a 176 per cent increase in cycle flows between 2001 and 2013. • The Mayor’s vision is to ‘de-lycrafy’ cycling – which means making it appealing to a wide range of people, for a wide range of trips. In 2013 the Mayor announced £913m of funding to help realise this vision for cycling over the coming decade. • In 2011, Wandsworth Council published the Wandsworth Cycling Strategy covering the period 2011-16. The strategy is now mid-way through its lifetime. Combined with the funding for cycling this is an opportune time to review cycling conditions in Wandsworth. • The Council appointed Steer Davies Gleave to undertake a borough-wide cycling audit. The brief for the audit was to classify roads according to the cycling skill level required to cycle on them safely. The brief also included a report outlining the overall situation for cycling in the borough. • The purpose of this report is to identify key cycling issues and strategic improvements in the borough.

Wandsworth Cycling Audit Report Introduction – our approach

• Our audit reviewed roads and routes according to Bikeability Levels 1, 2 and 3:

▪ Level 1 applies to traffic free routes, such as those through parks or off-carriageway provision that may be adjacent to major roads.

▪ Level 2 applies to simple streets where traffic speeds and volumes are typically low

▪ Level 3 applies to more challenging roads with multiple lanes, traffic signals etc.

The Steer Davies Gleave team auditing in Tooting

Wandsworth Cycling Audit Report Introduction – our approach (cont.)

• Additionally, we apply Level 2+ to roads where a higher skill may be required at peak time and Level 3+ for roads only suitable for the most experienced and confident cyclists. • Level 2+ highlights roads that are susceptible to high volumes or fast moving traffic (for example at peak times) but that are, in terms of cycling skills, otherwise suitable for riders at Bikeability Level 2 or 3. • Level 3+ roads in Wandsworth include carriageways of Trinity Road, Kingston Road, the Wandsworth gyratory and roundabout. • We also reviewed places where Level 2 routes cross Level 3 infrastructure in order to gauge suitability for use by cyclists. The aim of the review was to identify locations that may need to be improved in order to enhance the overall continuity of ‘Quietway’ type routes.

Wandsworth Cycling Audit Report 4 Structure of this report

• The remainder of this report is structured around the key issues emerging from the audit:

1. Overall quality of existing cycle infrastructure

2. Level 2 routes crossing Level 3 infrastructure

3. The Wandle Trail

4. Dropped kerbs to be added/improved

5. Guardrail removal Rectory Lane/Chillerton Road/Birchwood Road – a good scheme to facilitate cycle 6. Signage – directions, orders and permits permeability at this point 7. Surfacing

8. Railings, barriers and bollards

9. Roehampton High Street

10. Strategic recommendations

Wandsworth Cycling Audit Report 5 1. Overall quality of existing cycle route infrastructure

• There are many examples of cycle route infrastructure in Wandsworth. These include Cycle Superhighways, national and London cycle network routes, off-road paths and on- carriageway treatments. • Some schemes may be considered outdated in light of emerging design standards e.g. the infrastructure on Burntwood Lane, which alternates between on- and off-carriageway. Northcote Road – good filtered permeability for cyclists • Some schemes require refreshment or renewal to ensure they remain useful e.g. the uphill off- carriageway cycle path on Rectory Lane, on which surfacing is now uneven and markings eroded. • There are a number of major roads e.g. Wandsworth gyratory and Trinity Road that are challenging for cycling Wandsworth Cycling Audit Report 6

2. Level 2 routes crossing Level 3 infrastructure

• Staggered junction across St John’s Hill between Plough Terrace and Vardens Road

▪ This is a right then left staggered junction with a zebra Crossing in between on a raised table

▪ There is also a raised table across the entrance of the minor roads St John’s Hill Plough Terrace to Vardens ▪ This allows a smooth transition from road to Road – a good Level 2 crossing pavement, zebra, pavement and road

▪ Well signed, this is one of the better staggered junctions in Wandsworth. (The sign warning of a New Road Layout could now be taken down)

Entry to Vardens Road

Wandsworth Cycling Audit Report 7 2. Level 2 routes crossing Level 3 infrastructure (cont.)

• Dorlcote Road to Alma Terrace junction with A214 Trinity Road

▪ This is a useful crossing point and allows cyclists to cross this major road directly

▪ However an unappealing and complicated dog-leg facility with guardrailing has been installed Dorlcote Road to Alma Terrace across Trinity Road ▪ Removing this in favour of direct access to the Toucan would improve time and comfort for cyclists, and make it a more prominent feature inviting use.

Opportunity to remove guardrail and enhance cyclist journey time and comfort

Wandsworth Cycling Audit Report 8 2. Level 2 routes crossing Level 3 infrastructure (cont.)

• Lane junction with Moyser Road and Fernthorpe Road (cycle route to Eardsley Road and crossing to Potters Lane).

▪ There is a pelican crossing on Mitcham Lane between Moyser Road and Fernthorpe Road

▪ Cyclists who have walked across the pelican will tend to rejoin Fernthorpe Road by Moyser Road to Fernthorpe Road across crossing to the left hand lane at the road Mitcham Lane mouth.

▪ Currently neither Moyser Road or Fernthorpe Road have raised entry treatment – this would be a worthwhile addition to both roads.

Wandsworth Cycling Audit Report 9 2. Level 2 routes crossing Level 3 infrastructure (cont.)

• Junction of Garratt Lane (A217) with Broadwater Road and Fountain Road

▪ Broadwater Road to/from Fountain Road is signed as a cycle route and allows cyclists to cross a busy main road.

▪ Crossing Garratt Lane is challenging for all road users at this point due to the traffic volume. Garratt Lane junction with Broadwater ▪ There is an existing pelican crossing but it is a Road, looking west – difficult for all road considerable distance from the junction and the users crossing Garratt Lane and a major challenge for cyclists00 footway is not marked for shared use

▪ Traffic signals would be useful at this junction, particularly if the cycle route is intended to be used by children (though Fountain Road is also busy with commercial traffic)

Wandsworth Cycling Audit Report 10 3. The Wandle Trail

• The Wandle Trail is a high profile national and local cycle route in the borough, with several off-carriageway sections adding to its appeal. • Key issues:

▪ Navigability – signage and wayfinding are not consistently clear and intuitive

▪ Level of required cycling ability varies along the route

▪ Opportunity to improve connections to other routes e.g. Cycle Superhighway 8

The Wandle Trail – off-road provision through King George’s Park, by the

Wandsworth Cycling Audit Report 11 3. The Wandle Trail (cont.)

• The Wandle Trail has some excellent off-carriageway provision, but its usefulness is constrained by poor continuity along the route, in particular, the inclusion of some challenging turns that trail users must undertake.

• Garratt Lane passing Earlsfield Station

• Approaching the right turn into Summerley Street is a high pressure turning for cyclists

• Loading on the left and oncoming traffic in two lanes, one of which is positioning to turn right onto Magdalen Road

• Wandle Trail signage is also hard to see at this point

Wandsworth Cycling Audit Report 12 3. The Wandle Trail (cont.)

• Penwith Road/Garratt Lane junction

▪ The right turn here feels very exposed, especially when vehicles continuing straight on from Penwith Road pass too close on a cyclists’ inside.

▪ The offset alignment of the junction exacerbates this issue.

• Wandsworth High Street/Garratt Lane junction

▪ Cycle route goes straight across to Ram Street (CSH8).

▪ Challenging infrastructure especially for less experienced cyclists.

▪ Left-hook risk here as all motor traffic must turn left, whereas cycles go straight across.

13 Wandsworth Cycling Audit Report 4. Dropped kerbs to be added or improved

• Addition of dropped kerbs would be a low cost, easily implemented enhancement to many cycle links in the borough. • Cycle routes that could be improved by adding dropped kerbs at several cut-throughs are shown below

Battersea Park Road/Stewarts Road Acanthus Road/Grayshott Road – Bolingbroke Walk, outside Westbridge potential to formalise cycle link Primary School

Wandsworth Cycling Audit Report 14 5. Guardrailing removal

• Guardrailing is still used extensively across the borough. Transport for London has advocated the removal of guardrail since 2011 unless a specific safety case can be made for its retention. Town centre renewal schemes in Wandsworth have also included guardrail removal e.g at Clapham Junction. • Guardrailing poses a particular hazard to cyclists who may become trapped against it by left turning vehicles. For example, the railings around the Mitcham Lane/Southcroft Road junction (pictured).

Mitcham Road/Southcroft Lane – guardrailings, buses and mandatory cycle lanes make the junction feel cramped for cycling

Wandsworth Cycling Audit Report 15 5. Guardrailing removal

Outside Tooting Broadway Station Outside Wood Green station, Haringey Mapleton Road/Garratt Lane Junction

Guardrailing at the Garratt Lane/Tooting Good example of recent guardrail Heavy duty railings perhaps to protect High Street junction constrains footway removal and installation of ‘scramble’ the original bridge railings but do little capacity here as well as posing a risk to crossing (X-shaped pedestrian crossing for the streetscape and leave cyclists cyclists. like that at Balham station) has opened exposed. up the junction for pedestrians and improved conditions for cycling.

Wandsworth Cycling Audit Report 16 6. Signage - Overview

• Destination focused signage is comprehensive across the borough. • Removal or rationalisation of some signage is needed and would be useful as part of a programme of street clutter reduction. Destination and route signage should be retained.

Wandsworth Cycling Audit Report 17 6. Signage – Direction Signs

• A number of these are out of alignment or facing the wrong way. Chapter 6 of the current London Cycle Design Standards (LCDS) recommends:

“Where there is a risk that signs could be rotated (e.g. by wind or vandalism), anti- rotational fixings should be used, particularly on finger-post type direction signs. These are clamp type fittings sometimes with set-screws, as opposed to banding that has been frequently used.”

Tooting High Street – plates under the Garratt Lane/Wandsworth High …then forwards as it should be. finger posts help prevent swivelling. Street, sign facing backwards…

Wandsworth Cycling Audit Report 18 6. Signage – Cyclist Dismount

• There are a considerable number Cyclist Dismount signs, for example, approaching toucan crossings, which should be removed. LCDS says, “Cyclist Dismount signs should not normally be used”. • For example, Fawe Park Road/Woodlands Way (pictured) offers potentially excellent permeability to cross the railway line, but cycling is not permitted.

Woodlands Way Fawe Park Road Yelverton Road/Holman Road junction Potentially excellent permeability across Looking towards Woodlands Way. Cyclist dismount signage on final the railway but cycling not permitted. approach to toucan crossing

Wandsworth Cycling Audit Report 19 6. Signage – No Cycling

• No Cycling signs are used at a number of locations where cycling would not necessarily pose a significant risk to others and would enhance route continuity. See also Section 8 of this report.

Tooting Common – opportunities to provide high quality off-road cycle routes, suitable for all ages, on existing paths between Tooting Bec Road, Bedford Hill, and Emmanuel Road/Rastell Avenue

Wandsworth Cycling Audit Report 20 7. Surfacing

• In places, surfacing is worn or uneven, which is uncomfortable for cycling.

Rectory Lane Wandle Trail - approach to Dormay Street Uneven surface and worn markings Signage indicates cycling is possible either side of the railings, but surface is uneven on both sides

Wandsworth Cycling Audit Report 21 8. Railings, barriers and bollards

• Bollards and railings reduce access to potentially cyclable routes, its removal or modification would greatly enhance permeability for cyclists.

Bridge in Wandsworth Common Clapham Common West Side Ravenet Street

Eversleigh Road to Culvert Road Fawe Park Road

Wandsworth Cycling Audit Report 22 9. Roehampton High Street

• Both Medfield Street and Roehampton High Street take traffic from Roehampton Lane to Putney Heath. Medfield is two way; Roehampton High Street is one-way eastbound from Danebury Avenue. • Use of the natural desire line is not permitted through the one-way section for cyclists heading west towards Danebury Avenue.

Roehampton High Street Medfield Street Medfield Street junction with Looking west towards Roehampton The cycle desire line is straight ahead Roehampton Lane Lane and Danebury Avenue. The High at this location, but cycles are Cycles diverted onto footway and Street is one-way at this point diverted left to cross Roehampton encouraged to use an existing toucan Lane via a toucan instead

Wandsworth Cycling Audit Report 23 10. Strategic recommendations

• Guardrail removal – borough-wide with initial priority on intersections on the most cycled roads (use of bollards could be considered to prevent inconsiderate parking or restrict access if necessary). • Signage – review all existing signs on location to ensure they are pointing in the right direction. Add set screws to reduce the likelihood of swivelling. • Wandle Trail enhancements – improve continuity of provision along the route and provide a better link between the trail and CSH8 at Wandsworth town centre. • Tooting Broadway/Garratt Lane junction improvements – guardrail removal, scramble crossing (subject to signalling/modelling). Such a scheme would benefit the Tooting Broadway station area as well as improving safety for cyclists.

Wandsworth Cycling Audit Report 24 10. Strategic Recommendations (cont.)

• Enhance cycle permeability through removal/rationalisation of barriers and bollards and the overturning of ‘no cycling’ orders, including:

▪ Permit cycling on key paths at Tooting Common

▪ Removal of barriers on Clapham Common West Side (the existing bollards should be sufficient)

▪ At Clapham Junction, develop the existing footway link between Culvert Road and Eversleigh Road – this may require improvements to the railway underpass on Culvert Road (currently one lane wide) • Opportunity to create Quietway from Putney Heath to both Wandsworth town centre and Clapham Common, via Keevil Drive, Skeena Hill, King George’s Park and the Wandle Trail.

Wandsworth Cycling Audit Report 25 10. Strategic Recommendations (cont.)

• Roehampton High Street – convert to two-way running for cycles.

▪ This may require the loss of two parking bays (or conversion to time-limited loading bays) at the east end of the High Street.

▪ Consideration also needed to reduce conflict between westbound cycles heading from the High Street into Danebury Avenue with right turning vehicles from Danebury Avenue.

▪ Medfield Street would benefit from a review of waiting and loading restrictions to ensure all traffic can flow more freely.

Wandsworth Cycling Audit Report 26 Control Sheet

Project Name: Wandsworth Cycling Audit

Document Title: Report

Client Contract/Project Number: -

SDG Project/Proposal Number: 22677401

ISSUE HISTORY

Issue No: 01 Date: 02/04/2013 Details: Draft Report

REVIEW

Originator: Simon Hollowood

Other Contributors: Charlie Holland

Review By: Print: Lee Deacon

Sign:

DISTRIBUTION

Clients: Environment and Community Services, London Borough of Wandsworth

Steer Davies Gleave: Study Team

Wandsworth Cycling Audit Report Contact Details

Simon Hollowood Principal Consultant

Tel: 020 7910 5770 Email: [email protected]

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