Section 1 - Farringdon Street (between Stonecutter Street and Holborn Viaduct)

We consulted on the alignment of the North-South Cycle Superhighway between Elephant & Castle and King’s Cross in autumn 2014. The section between Elephant & Castle and Stonecutter Street is now under construction. This consultation describes the detailed proposals for the route north of Stonecutter Street.

Northbound and southbound stepped cycle tracks replace bus lanes on Farringdon Street between Stonecutter Street and Charterhouse Street

• Stepped cycle tracks are vertically separated from the footway and main carriageway to provide protection, safety and comfort for cyclists
• The stepped cycle tracks would be on the western and eastern sides of Farringdon Street between Stonecutter Street and Charterhouse Street
• The tracks would be minimum of 2.5m wide allowing space for cyclists to overtake
• Southbound cyclists on the North-South Cycle Superhighway would use the signalised cycle crossing at Stonecutter Street to join the two-way cycle track
• City of London has already confirmed plans for Stonecutter Street to be permanently closed to motor traffic following completion of nearby construction works. Cycle access to and from Stonecutter Street would be maintained via a dropped kerb
   

Stepped cycle tracks are vertically seperated from the footway and main carriageway.

Changes to parking and loading restrictions

• All single red lines would be replaced by double red lines (no stopping at any time) as there would not be space for vehicles to safely pass a stopped vehicle
• Motorcycle parking from western side and centre of road would be relocated to eastern side of the road
• The existing taxi and disabled parking bays on the western side of the road would be relocated to the eastern side accessed via a low angled kerb across the cycle track
• New loading/disabled/motorcycle parking bays would also be provided on the eastern side of the road
   

Improved pedestrian and cyclist crossings

• The existing pedestrian crossing at Stonecutter Street would be converted to a wide signalised pedestrian crossing across the motor vehicle traffic lanes with an informal crossing across the cycle track
• A cycle crossing would allow cyclists to cross from the cycle track on the east side to the west side
• Entry to side roads on the eastern side of Farringdon Road would be raised to footway level to provide a continuous level footway for pedestrians and encourage vehicles to slow down when entering or exiting
   

Urban realm improvements

• Reduced street clutter
• Potential for additional tree planting (subject to further investigations)
• Footway improvements and cycle hire docking station on Stonecutter Street and on the western side of Farringdon Street are part of a separate development that is not part of this consultation
   

Temporary arrangements during development construction

• The carriageway space would be limited by the construction hoardings on Farringdon Street between Stonecutter Street and Holborn Viaduct. During this period, northbound cyclists would continue in a wide mandatory cycle lane separated from traffic by vertical ‘wands’ (flexible traffic poles). Stonecutter Street would remain open to construction vehicles for the duration of the works but would be closed in the final scheme. All vehicles accessing the site from Farringdon Street would be signal controlled across the northbound cycle lane