Cycle lane proposed across Blackheath from Eltham to Greenwich Park
Further details have been revealed by Greenwich Council showing a cycle lane plan between Eltham and Blackheath.
Consultation documents show the route which would start at Eltham High Street heading west through Kidbrooke and across Blackheath.
Some would be dedicated lanes separated from other vehicles whilst some will share existing roads.
Previous ideas around closing roads have been dropped from the latest iteration. In terms of car parking on Eltham Hill Greenwich state:
“While we are still proposing to remove some parking bays in different locations along the route, by bringing the cycle track inside the parking bay, the new design seeks to retain as much parking as possible”.
Referring road closures on Shawbrooke Road and Birdbrook Road beneath the A2 they now state:
“These road closures have been removed from the proposals. Instead, people cycling will be directed along Shawbrooke Road and Briset Road, where a lower amount of traffic means cyclists are able to mix with motor vehicles”.
Finally, instead of closing Kidbrooke Park Road the new plan is:
- No right turn for motor vehicles travelling southbound out of Westbrook Road into Kidbrooke Park Road.
- No left turn for motor vehicles westbound into Westbrook Road from Kidbrooke Park Road.
Early work
Preliminarily parts of the route were installed when Eltham town centre saw a major public realm upgrade almost a decade ago.
Funded via TfL’s Local Implementation Fund that project saw new paving, greenery, small sections of segregated cycle lanes and a lit up town centre sign.
This latest idea sees a route heading west from Eltham High Street along Eltham Hill up to the Yorkshire Grey roundabout, then turning north up to Rochester Way.
After that and it’s along Kidbrooke Park Road before reaching Blackheath. A cycle lane would head past Prince of Wales Pond from South Row then across the grass alongside an existing path.
Eventually the new route ends at Shooters Hill Road just a few metres from the entrance to Greenwich Park.
There’s many drawings cover the whole route on the Greenwich Council consultation page where feedback can be given.
This is a great idea. It’s not necessary in the summer with the ground dry and hard, because cyclists can just go off the path if they want to, but at many other times of year the ground is very wet and soft and it’s literally not possible to cycle off the path. So I think this separation will make it much more pleasant to both walk and cycle.
There are far too many roads criss crossing blackheath. I’d be in favour of an LTN to reduce the number of through routes and create a more usable public green space.
And while we’re at it, can we get rid of the giant car park in Greenwich park? Ridiculous to give over so much space to parked cars in inner London.
Re: the junction of Westbrook Rd and Kidbrooke Park Rd (KPR) where it is currently stated:
Finally, instead of closing Kidbrooke Park Road the new plan is:
• No right turn for motor vehicles travelling southbound out of Westbrook Road into Kidbrooke Park Road.
• No left turn for motor vehicles westbound into Westbrook Road from Kidbrooke Park Road.
How are local residents on KPR, south of this junction, and Kidbrooke Village supposed to drive from Blackheath Village to get home?
They can’t go all the way up Prince of Wales Rd and turn right onto Shooters Hill (no right turns at the junction).
They can’t go along Kidbrooke Gardens onto Westbrook and turn RIGHT onto KPR to head south.
This only leaves a much longer anticlockwise loop down Lee Road, along Eltham Rd and then turn left to head north up KPR.
Or, (as I think more likely) head along Kidbrooke Gardens, onto Westbrook Rd and turn LEFT, heading north up KPR. Then execute a U-turn somewhere.
Or am I reading it wrong.
Thanks.