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Pop-up car and taxi ban in Bishopsgate could be a fixture

More than 8,000 bike journeys a day were being recorded after cars were banned  (Will Norman)
More than 8,000 bike journeys a day were being recorded after cars were banned (Will Norman)

One of the most controversial “pop-up” schemes to discourage vehicles in central London will be made permanent if it encourages more people to walk and cycle and does not cause a “significant” increase in other journey times.

TfL launched a six-month consultation on retaining its “Streetspace” scheme in Bishopsgate which has become a key safer cycling route in and out of the Square Mile.

Even prior to the axing of work from home advice, more than 8,000 bike journeys a day were being recorded after cars, vans and taxis were banned from key sections of the A10 between London Bridge and Shoreditch High Street between 7am-7pm on weekdays.

The scheme, which included widened pavements and banned turns, was one of the most high-profile measures introduced by TfL in July 2020 after the first wave of the pandemic to encourage Londoners to walk or cycle rather than getting back in their cars.

However, it was opposed by the black cab trade, resulting in a judicial review of the plans, which had been introduced without consultation under emergency Covid regulations.

The Court of Appeal eventually ruled in TfL’s favour in July last year, and TfL then agreed a new experimental traffic order last month to keep the restrictions in place for another 18 months.

TfL is now consulting on whether to make the scheme permanent, and will consider whether it reduces collisions, increases cycling, does not “significantly disrupt” bus journeys or “significantly increase” freight and taxi journeys in making a final decision.

TfL said the changes had improved bus reliability, with northbound journey times along Bishopsgate 38 per cent quicker and southbound trips are 26 per cent quicker.

Will Norman, London’s walking and cycling commissioner, said: “It has become safer and more comfortable for both pedestrians and cyclists, and bus journey times have also reduced thanks to the new vehicle restrictions.”

Sam Monck, TfL’s head of healthy streets investment, said: “Our data suggests that the changes we’ve made along Bishopsgate are playing an important role in promoting healthy and sustainable ways of travelling in London and feedback from Londoners will be hugely valuable as we assess the next steps for the scheme.”

TfL is assessing the next steps for a number of walking and cycling schemes delivered during the pandemic. Last month, it said that cycling had increased from 2.3 per cent of all trips in London in 2019 to 3.4 per cent in 2020.