Healthy cycling and walking route designed to cut pollution in London Borough of Lambeth 

Improving air quality with better cycling infrastructure on busy Lambeth street

London Borough of Lambeth Council is developing a series of “healthy routes” on busier roads, providing safe pathways for walking and cycling. These aim to connect people to essential destinations such as schools, workplaces, green spaces, transport hubs and shops, while helping to reduce traffic volumes and air pollution.

SYSTRA was appointed by Lambeth Council to develop detailed designs for a healthy route cycleway on Loughborough Road, between Fiveways junction and Coldharbour Lane. Loughborough Road was prioritised due to its high levels of through-traffic, with more than 800 vehicles per hour passing through at peak times. The surrounding streets are also in the top 20 for nitrogen dioxide (N02) and particulate matter pollution in London, and there are three schools in the area, whose pupils are exposed to poor air quality every day.

The council wanted to tackle these issues by reducing traffic volumes and encouraging more people to walk or cycle, especially for shorter journeys. SYSTRA was tasked with improving cycling, walking and bus stop facilities, as well as removing on-street parking along Loughborough Road to provide a safer and healthier environment.

Evidence-based design introduces safer spaces for cyclists, pedestrians and bus users

SYSTRA kicked off the process by conducting a parking study to assess the impact of an earlier proposal to remove all parking from Loughborough Road. We also carried out traffic counts at the intersection of Fiveways and Loughborough Road to better understand how the junction was used by different modes of transport.  

Results from the parking study led to us developing a revised arrangement which would retain some parking along the road, without compromising the quality of the new cycling infrastructure.

Our detailed designs for the entire Loughborough Road healthy route featured cycle lanes on both sides of the road, segregated from motor vehicles by traffic wands. Parking bays were relocated to the carriageway side of the cycle lanes to avoid obstructing cyclists, and traffic-calming speed cushions and raised pedestrian crossings were introduced to improve connections to and from the schools along the street. We added bus boarding islands to provide safe and easy access for passengers at the four bus stops along the route, with cycle bypasses to avoid conflicts between cyclists and buses. Three parallel cycle and zebra crossings were also included, as well as one signalised pedestrian crossing. 

Our redesign of the busy Fiveways junction incorporated new safety features, such as cycle-only signal phases, upgraded pedestrian crossings, cycle gates with advanced release signals, and two-stage right turns for cyclists. Furthermore, the Fiveways Road was closed to reduce conflict between vehicles and non-motorised users whilst also formalising an existing road closure.

Multi-skilled team supports planning, design, compliance and construction

The SYSTRA Development and Infrastructure team supported the client from initial route appraisal and concept design all the way through consultation, detailed design and construction. Our scope of work included public consultation, a parking study and traffic survey. We completed all detailed design work in line with the latest guidance, including LTN 1/20, Manual for Street and TfL’s Streetscape and Accessible Bus Stop Design Guidance. We also calculated detailed costings for the scheme. 

Once the detailed design was complete, our specialists conducted a stage 2 road safety audit to ensure that all elements, from signage and lighting to junctions and road markings, were safe and compliant before construction began.  

Throughout the duration of the scheme, SYSTRA undertook the role of Principal Designer under CDM 2015, coordinating health and safety throughout the pre-construction phase. We also fulfilled the statutory role of undertaker liaison officer, acting as the primary link between the construction team and utility companies.

Street improvements create a safer, healthier, more welcoming neighbourhood

SYSTRA prepared and delivered the detailed design package to Lambeth Council within the agreed timeframe. The new infrastructure has now been fully constructed on Loughborough Road. With its dedicated cycle lanes, wider footways, improved crossings and new traffic controls, the scheme has created a safe, accessible and pleasant route for pedestrians, cyclists, wheelchair users and bus passengers in this part of Lambeth. The new healthy route represents the first phase of a 2km cycleway that will connect multiple neighbourhoods to essential amenities.  

The improved cycling and walking infrastructure makes the neighbourhood more amenable for shorter walking and cycling journeys, connecting residents more easily with key amenities, such as schools, workplaces, shops and community centres. It means more children can now walk, cycle or scoot safely to school, resulting in fewer short car journeys. This leads to reduced air pollution and creates a healthier, safer, more welcoming neighbourhood for everyone.