London cycleway plan to go ahead after pause

"The City of London Corporation approved the cycleway in October 2024, with two-way protected cycle lanes on Queen Victoria Street. However, during the public consultation some campaigners had argued that floating bus stops posed a risk to visually impaired people. Since then, the government published new guidelines and the authority concluded that its plans aligned with "best practice and [met] required standards" but added it would incorporate "additional mitigation measures to address user needs, especially for disabled people"."

"Also known as bus stop bypasses, floating bus stops involve a cycle lane running between a bus stop and the pavement. This allows cyclists to continue riding while passengers board or alight, whilst pedestrians have to cross the cycle path in order to catch a bus. Cycling groups argue that they are key to reducing road danger and improving cycling safety."

"The Department for Transport paused the rollout of floating bus stops in July. Updated guidance on all floating bus stops was published earlier this year. Corporation officers reviewed the proposed floating bus stops against the guidance. They concluded the designs met the "recommended design process" in a report prepared for a City meeting on Wednesday, in which members voted in favour of the project."

"After the meeting, Sarah Gayton, street access campaign coordinator at the National Federation of the Blind of the UK, said the decision was "devastating for blind people", adding: "The City of London will become inaccessible to blind people for generations to come. It is shocking.""

A new cycleway between Aldgate and Blackfriars is set to proceed after being paused over concerns about floating bus stops. The City of London Corporation approved the scheme in October 2024, including two-way protected cycle lanes on Queen Victoria Street. During consultation, campaigners argued that floating bus stops create risks for visually impaired people. Floating bus stops place a cycle lane between a bus stop and the pavement, requiring pedestrians to cross the cycle path to board or alight. Cycling groups say bus stop bypasses improve safety by reducing conflicts. The Department for Transport paused floating bus stop rollout in July and later published updated guidance. City officers reviewed the designs against the guidance, concluding they met required standards while adding mitigation measures for disabled users. Blind advocacy groups criticized the decision as harmful and inaccessible.

Read at www.bbc.com