Junction review urged after spate of cyclist deaths in London

Pidgeon: remove Kings Cross gyratory

London Mayor Boris Johnson has been urged to review the design of the riskiest junctions in the capital for cyclists in the light of a rise in cycle deaths.

There have been 15 cycling fatalities on the capital’s roads so far this calendar year, seven involving HGVs or tipper trucks, compared to ten in 2010. The deaths have prompted a ‘junction flash ride’ protest by cyclists to highlight unsafe junctions and a string of London Assembly members asking questions of the Mayor.

The rise in deaths prompted Johnson this week to urge cyclists never to cycle up the inside of a heavy goods vehicle. But London Assembly Lib Dem member Caroline Pidgeon said: “Instead of lecturing people about cycling, the mayor must start to listen to the concerns of cyclists.” She asked him to consider removing the gyratory system at King’s Cross if he believes it is not performing well in terms of safety, in line with his policy to take out one-way systems.

TfL said all of its highway maintenance contractors had agreed to fit their entire fleets with blind spot mirrors and detection equipment and to put drivers on cycle awareness courses. Transport commissioner Peter Hendy has written to the Freight Transport Association and Road Haulage Association, urging their members to follow suit.

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