Cash-strapped TfL To Divert Funds from Oxford Street to CS9
Cycle superhighway through Chiswick getting funds from ditched pedestrianisation
Artist's impression of superhighway looking west from Olympia
Transport for London have confirmed that funds that would have been used to pedestrianise Oxford Street are to be diverted to other projects including Cycle Superhighway 9, or CS9 and the upgrades to the Piccadilly line.
TfL have released a budget plan which shows how they are dealing with the consequences of a falling revenue base which is expected to result in a reduction of income of over £2bn over the next five years.
This has required the delay of a number of projects, including the upgrade of the deep level tube lines including the Piccadilly line. In addition above inflation fare rises are expected from 2021.
The proposed pedestrianisation of the western end of Oxford Street was going to cost £43 million, but that money will now be diverted to other cycle superhighway projects including CS9, which would run from Brentford to Hammersmith as well as similar schemes in Greenwich and Hackney.
These projects are part of TfL’s Healthy Streets programme which aims to make London a more attractive place to walk, cycle and use public transport, and reduce the dominance of motorised transport.
There had been speculation that, with TfL suffering from falling income due to decreased usage of public transport and the delay in Crossrail, projects such as CS9, which is budgeted to cost £70 million, would have been scrapped.
The business plan recently published by TfL does not specifically commit to the scheme, which is currently being redesigned based on information collected during the consultation, but it does say that the intention is to expand the network of segregated cycleways.
A TfL spokesman said: "Following Westminster City Council’s sudden, unexpected and unilateral decision to abandon our joint plans to transform Oxford Street and its district, we have now re-allocated funding which was allocated to the scheme to help accelerate a number of schemes across London designed to create safer, healthier and less polluted streets."
Hammersmith and Fulham Council says that CS9 is an important part of the Mayor of London’s Healthy Street approach and aims to encourage walking, cycling and public transport, and make London greener, healthier and more pleasant.
The council is already implementing new cycle routes and other green measures along Talgarth Road and under Hammersmith Flyover, in addition to TfL's plans.
December 21, 2018