Rumble Strips Fail to Stop Speeding Cyclists on Thames Path
Tramlines for wheelchair users negate purpose say riverside walkers
The rumble strips on the Thames Path with tramlines added on right
October 2, 2024
An attempt to prevent cyclists speeding along the Thames Path near Wandsworth Park has been in vain according to riverside walkers.
The council instituted a series of measures this May after complaints from pedestrians walking by the Thames Wandsworth Bridge and Battersea Park.
With the intention of slowing anti-social cyclists down, 10 rumble strips were placed across the path at various locations. However, it quickly became apparent that these were causing difficulties for wheelchair users and parents with prams and push chairs.
To mitigate this, within a few weeks of the original installation the council added ‘tram lines’ through the rumble strips designed to allow wheelchairs to negotiate them without difficulty.
However, people using this stretch of the river report that many cyclists who are travelling too fast have also registered the presence of the tramlines and are using them to progress along this stretch of the path without needing to decelerate.
A Freedom of Information request has revealed that the cost of adding the tram lines was £1,676 in addition to what was spent on the original measure.
The council was prompted to attempt to tackle speeding cyclists after complaints from residents of the area as well as the Sight Loss Council. Other measures such as making pedestrian priority clearer and planter box arrangements, designed to slow bicycle speeds appear to have been more effective.
Wandsworth Council’s Cabinet Member for transport, Jenny Yates, said, “The safety measures on the Thames Path were put in place as part of the Council’s response to a community petition asking for measures to slow cyclists. In collaboration with partners such as the Sight Loss Council, we introduced improvements including clearer signage, planter boxes and rumble strips.
“These are trial measures, and while the feedback from the community has been largely positive, we will continue to be a listening council and constantly review safety improvements and ensure the Thames Path can be enjoyed by all our residents.”
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