Big plans to radically change car and cycling traffic flows between London Bridge and Shoreditch will be in place by early August.
TfL has announced it is making changes to two major thoroughfares that run through the Square Mile – Bishopsgate and Gracechurch Street.
The organisation will widen pavements along the one-mile route and provide additional room for cycling.
It aims to make the financial district “one of the largest car-free zones in any capital city in the world”, in a bid to encourage Londoners back to their desks without needing public transport.
There will also be no access to motor vehicles between Middlesex Street and Liverpool Street, or between Leadenhall Street and Fenchurch Street.
These changes will only be in operation on weekdays from 7am to 7pm.
A set of banned turnings will also be introduced to streets along Bishopsgate on a 24/7 basis. They include:
- Worship Street (left only, except buses)
- Artillery Lane (left turn only)
- Middlesex Street (left turn only)
- Liverpool Street (right turn only)
- Cornhill (ahead and left only)
- Lombard Street (remains ahead and left only)
- Fenchurch Street (left only)
- Gracechurch Street at Fenchurch Street (in a northbound direction, ahead only, except for buses and cycles who may turn right and cycles who may turn left)
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TfL said these “temporary” measures will still provide access for all vehicles, including servicing and taxis, except for in two stretches – Middlesex Street to Liverpool Street, and Leadenhall Street to Fenchurch Street – where vehicles will be banned.
Gareth Powell, TfL’s managing director for surface transport, said: “We’re determined that transport will be at the heart of London’s green, healthy and sustainable recovery from coronavirus.
“We’re running near normal levels of public transport services and are working hard to deliver extra space for walking and cycling right across the capital.
“The first walking-and-cycling priority zone on Bishopsgate will play a central role in enabling people who are returning to work to do so safely and without relying on cars.”
Alastair Moss, chair of the City of London Corporation’s Planning and Transportation Committee, said: “The transformation of Bishopsgate into a pedestrian and cyclist priority area perfectly complements the City of London Corporation’s efforts on increasing the comfort and safety for all workers, residents and visitors on City streets.”
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