Cyclists will be among the many beneficiaries of the Council’s plans
to transform Sloane Square, according to the country’s largest cycling
organisation.
In a letter to the Council, The Cyclists’ Touring Club’s (CTC)
representative for Kensington and Chelsea, Philip Benstead said: “I wish
to offer my support on behalf of the CTC for the Council’s Sloane Square
proposals. The reconfiguration will offer increased opportunities for less conflict
between traffic on the carriageway and pedestrians on the pavement. The staged
crossroads will also ameliorate speed and aid lane discipline for both cyclist
and motorist traffic.”
This latest endorsement comes as the Council is about to embark on a third
and final consultation on its much-publicised plans for the famous square.
The Council’s plans for Sloane Square involve creating a large public
open space by introducing a staggered crossroads. The proposals already have
widespread support, from, amongst others, the Evening Standard, the Commission
for Architecture and the Built Environment, English Heritage, leading architect
Lord Rogers, Transport for London’s new heritage advisor Edmund Bird, London
TravelWatch, Lord Colwyn and the Royal Court Theatre.
The reintroduction of the crossroads would replace congested pavements with
two spacious paved areas at the east and west sides of the square connected
to the frontages of Peter Jones and the Royal Court Theatre. Removal of the
gyratory would result in an increase of over 50 per cent in the public usable
space, the equivalent of five tennis courts.
Mr Benstead continued “With the congestion charge being extended into
this area there is likely to be a reduction in motorised traffic movement and
this scheme will enhance the experience for non-motorised use of Sloane Square.”
Cllr Daniel Moylan, Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Planning
Policy and Transportation, said: “CTC is the latest in a long line of prominent
organisations to publicly back the Council’s Sloane Square proposals. The
plans will dramatically improve the pedestrian environment and will also make
cycling in and around the square a more pleasant experience. I look forward
to residents and businesses supporting the redevelopment scheme at the forthcoming
consultation.”
The Council’s plans to redevelop the square have been well publicised
and two consultations have already taken place. A further consultation will
be taking place in February when members of the public will be able to consider
the Council’s preferred option and an alternative proposal based on retaining
the current gyratory layout.