We have now received answers to a number of questions we raised with Westminster
about the Piccadilly two-way scheme, which is currently under construction.
Why are advance stop lines not provided for cyclists at all signal-controlled
junctions?
The City Council's policy is to only provide advanced stop lines along signed
cycle routes at junctions with conflict turning cycle movements.
There are also some safety concerns associated with HGV drivers' blind spots.
Why are the traffic lanes not wide enough to allow a bus to overtake a cycle
safely and vice versa?
With the existing site constraints and to achieve a balance between pedestrian
and vehicular traffic with the provision of central medians to provide perch points
for pedestrians to cross along the whole length of these roads, it means that the
ideal lane widths could not be achieved.
Why is the lead-in lane to the advance stop line at the exit from Old Bond Street
on the left when most cyclists will want to turn right immediately after the compulsory
left turn into Piccadilly?
The lead-in lane for cyclists in Old Bond Street is correctly positioned on the
left hand side of the road to assist cyclists to turn left in the bus lane in
Piccadilly and to use the right turn lane into Duke Street St. James's.
Will westbound cyclists be able to reach Piccadilly directly from Shaftesbury
Avenue?
There is insufficient capacity in the bus lane between Shaftesbury Avenue and
Piccadilly, and also at the signalised junction at Piccadilly Circus, to permit
cyclists to use the westbound bus lane.
Will cyclists be able to turn right from Marlborough Road into Pall Mall?
Cyclists are prohibited from turning right into Pall Mall from Marlborough Road,
along with all other traffic, due to the expected volume of traffic wishing to turn
right from Pall Mall into Marlborough Road and the conflict this would cause.
The residents and businesses in the area are concerned that allowing this turning
movement would increase 'rat running' traffic. There would be safety concerns if
cyclists were given an exemption to this restriction.
