View LBTH's consultation announcement and consultation flyer [PDF]

LB Tower Hamlets are aiming to improve the pedestrian and cycle environment along Cable Street by implementing a filtered permeability scheme in the area. Their consultation flyer outlines the proposals.

Tower Hamlets Wheelers support this scheme. Read why below and send your support as well via our form at the bottom of the page.

Issues - Residents

There are increasing concerns from residents including:

• Vehicles rat-running through the area: 76% of motor vehicle traffic is passing through
• Pedestrian space is squeezed
• Pedestrians experience conflicts with cyclists
• Pedestrians have difficulty crossing three lanes of moving traffic in one go
• Excessive speeds of motor traffic

Issues - Cycle track capacity

This section of the CS3 cycle route is now so popular the two-way track is too narrow for peak demand. It can be an unpleasant experience to use. This lack of capacity will become even more of an issue with increased demand following the opening of the East-West Cycle Superhighway together with large developments planned in the area such as along Royal Mint Street and the News International site.

Motor traffic filtering

Tower Hamlets Wheelers have been long-term supporters of enhancing the liveability of Cable Street for residents by removing through motor vehicle traffic which will subsequently create more space and improve conditions for walking and cycling.

In 2012, in conjunction with the London Cycling Campaign, we submitted a substantial filtered permeability scheme to TfL for consideration. It later featured in a 2013 London Cyclist article. Our scheme was more radical than these proposals which don't eliminate every rat-run but this is a good start.

Benefits

We support this scheme for the following benefits:

• A vast reduction of rat-running motor traffic
• A more attractive environment in Cable Street where pedestrians and cyclists are the priority
• Vehicle speeds reduced (future plans to set a 15mph speed limit)
• Increase in cycling capacity - the existing two-way tracks will be used for one direction of travel with the other direction using the filtered carriageway (see consultation flyer)
• More logical traffic flow for pedestrians when crossing the road, with cyclists only coming from the "correct" direction i.e. always travelling on the left

It is noted that two single decker bus routes pass through the area, likely forming the bulk of larger vehicles any cyclist will encounter on the new scheme. These come an average of one every four minutes so cyclists are also fairly unlikely to encounter them on most trips along the route.

From the traffic counts that LBTH have carried out, it is expected that after filtering no section along Cable Street will have motor traffic volumes of greater than 2000 Passenger Car Units per day. This is a key limit relating to current LCC policy regarding "When Do We Need Protected Space for Cycling?".

Together with the London Cycling Campaign we are supporting the scheme as a substantial step in the right direction. You can show your support for the scheme by sending a positive response to the council via our form below.