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The UK’s Transport for London (TfL), along with Hammersmith and Fulham Council, plans to add new cycle and bus lanes at Hammersmith gyratory, which is known for being unsafe for London’s cyclists.

The project is part of TfL’s major Road Modernisation Plan of £4bn.

TfL has identified the junction to be an obstacle for cyclists and pedestrians passing East-West through Hammersmith, reported Road.cc.

Around one-fifth of the total traffic at this junction is caused by cyclists, especially during the morning rush hours, reports Get West London.

The project will see improvement of the Hammersmith gyratory, which includes a separate two-way cycle track will be built on the north side of the gyratory, a widened footway on the King Street and new cyclist-only signals.

"We want to completely overhaul this stretch of road and make some serious improvements for pedestrians, bus users and cyclists."

The improvement will also see a new bus lane come up on Beadon Road, linking Glenthorne Road with Hammersmith Broadway.

In addition to these, pedestrian countdown signals will be deployed at the crossings of Beadon Road, King Street, Queen Caroline Street, Shepherd’s Bush Road, Hammersmith Road and Butterwick.

Mayor Boris Johnson said: "We want to completely overhaul this stretch of road and make some serious improvements for pedestrians, bus users and cyclists.

"Our proposals would greatly improve the area for everyone using it and I hope we’ll see a positive response to our consultation."

The improvement work is expected to begin next year. A public consultation has already begun.

TfL surface transport managing director Leon Daniels said: "Our proposed safety improvements could transform the area and help deliver our aim of eradicating death and serious injury from London’s roads.

"We look forward to hearing people’s views on our proposals."


Image: King Street in the Hammersmith district in west London. Photo: courtesy of Romazur via Wikipedia.