Woolwich ferry roundabout changes now in full swing as part of cycleway project
Construction work on a new cycle lane from Woolwich to Charlton is now well underway at the ferry roundabout.
Work will continue until 2027 with Cycleway 4 current stage of work set to finish in the spring before further work through Woolwich town centre then commences.
The below image from Transport for London shows the intended layout of the ferry roundabout upon completion of work.
Future work through Woolwich town centre would see cyclists head past the roundabout through busy shopping streets including Powis Street and Macbean Street. Well, that’s what TfL expect. Not sure many will want to.
Cyclists heading to the ferry, foot tunnel, riverside path or towards Plumstead would find it easier to stay in the eastbound road lanes (though of course not exactly safer) rather than take the circulatory route expected.
To the west work is ongoing throughout much of the route to Charlton on the lower road except a stretch in the middle around where new homes are completing at the former Morris Walk estate.
Connection to central London
At Charlton Cycleway 4 will meet existing lanes heading to Greenwich and beyond through Rotherhithe and Bermondsey before reaching Tower Bridge.
A reduction is road space while work is ongoing coupled with more vehicles heading to the ferry from Greenwich since tolls begun at Blackwall and Silvertown tunnels has ensured heavy traffic most days since work commenced.
Buses are routinely held up. When work completes some of the road will narrow to the west with no bus lane set to be seen in places.
New crossings
On the Woolwich ferry roundabout two zebra crossings on the eastern and southern arms will change to signalled crossings. A new crossing is to be built to the west beside Mast Quay towers.
It’ll be interesting to see when the Waterfront leisure centre closes and redevelopment plans inevitably arise whether street improvements along a grotty stretch of Woolwich High Street outside which is not covered by this work will then be undertaken.
If changes are carried out, an improved street could link into the ferry roundabout and rejuvenate the sorry state of the area but that will require Greenwich Council to be both proactive and willing to undertake themselves or chip in funds to TfL, which they’re generally not keen on doing.
Other funds to Greenwich which could bring new life to the street include those from the proposed Mortgramit Square development which faces Woolwich High Street. The proposed block may be a lumpen, inelegant thing plopped down but it will bring much revenue to Greenwich Council to improve the street outside – if they choose to allocate it.
Imagine views to the river opened up, an easier walk to the foot tunnel from Hare Street (rather than it being hidden away) and more widely simply having a street which is pleasant to walk and shop along. Woolwich High Street is far from all those things as things stand but certainly could be. Thousands of new homes both sides of the river (those in north Woolwich will cross to reach shops and travel options in Woolwich) which brings a lot more footfall.
Can Greenwich capitalise and make it an appealing area?
Woolwich High Street would look great if tree-lined and less cluttered. I assume any replacement for the Waterfront will be housing with commercial space at street level as the nearby towers are which has a Chinese supermarket opening according to signs outside. A restaurant is also moving into another. Add in further units at a replacement Waterfront site with improved permeability between river and town and it’s certainly possible this area becomes busier. If that then can link into Hare Street and Powis Street that end of town could thrive again. But yes the High Street needs reworking to achieve it and reduce how severed the river is from the town centre by the current road layout.
It says it will take more than a year… What a joke….