Stanhope Gate crossing opens

A new cycle crossing of Bayswater Road bridges the link between two halves of a cycle route.

The crossing, just west of Marble Arch links the southern half of Route 5 (Chelsea Bridge - Hyde Park) with the northern half (Marylebone - Kilburn).

Until recently, cyclists had to dismount to use a zebra crossing at this point. The zebra has now been replaced by parallel pedestrian and cycle crossings, which provide a continuous route for cyclists.

A number of measures have been implemented in connection with the crossing, such as allowing northbound cycling in Stanhope Place. But the right turn from that street into Seymour Street has still to be allowed for cyclists. Some time ago the Royal Parks provided a connecting path from the cycle route around Hyde Park.

A cyclist using the new crossing.
Westminster Cycling Campaign does not recommend carrying bags on the handlebars, looking in the opposite direction to approaching traffic or cycling with flapping clothing!

A crossing at this point was first proposed in 2005 as part of the London Cycle Network Plus project. When council members rejected original proposals for a toucan crossing, engineers literally had to go back to the drawing board. Hence the long delay. This has unfortunately prevented them from making progress with other schemes.