WIREDGOV

Transformations taking place across the capital, including at Brent Cross and Barking Riverside.

Dozens of locations across the capital are set to be transformed in a £4 billion programme as part of the largest investment in the capital's road and street network in a generation.

In response to the recommendations of the Mayor's Roads Task Force, which last July unveiled a bold new vision to radically improve London's roads, streets and public spaces, a total of 50 projects are now underway.
 
Alongside the transformation of 33 of London's biggest and nastiest road junctions announced last week as part of the Mayor's cycling programme, there will also be more than £200m of additional far-reaching improvements at 17 major locations across the capital, including at; Croydon Fiveways;  Balham High Road; Brent Cross; Charlie Brown's Roundabout; Euston Road; Lombard Roundabout; London Road Roundabout; Malden Rushett; Mill Hill Circus; Purley Cross Gyratory; Barking Riverside; Seven Sisters Road; Stoke Newington Gyratory; Thornton Heath Ponds; Trinity Road; Tulse Hill Gyratory and Victoria Circus.

Funding for these schemes would be covered by the Transport for London (TfL) Business Plan and through third party contributions.

One of the other key schemes to benefit is one of London's biggest regeneration projects - the redevelopment of the northern roundabout at Elephant and Castle.

The radical plans, which will create 5,000 new homes and 4,000 jobs, will vastly improve the facilities for road users and local residents.

Dedicated cycling facilities will also be created, with public consultation starting later this month and work beginning early next year.
 
The IMAX roundabout at Waterloo will also be redeveloped, creating better interchange facilities at Waterloo station as well as improved facilities for cyclists.
 
Today also marks the completion of a major project to transform Euston Circus, one of London's biggest and busiest road junctions, unveiled today by TfL, Camden Council and developer, British Land.

The overhaul, which will make the junction safer for cyclists and pedestrians as well as significantly increase space for urban realm, is the first major project in the capital to be delivered using the recommendations set out by the Mayor's Roads Task Force. 

The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, said: `Smarter design of our roads and public spaces, exemplified by our radical plans for Elephant & Castle, will play a key role in ensuring that London remains the best big city to live, work and invest.

`We've been hard at work putting the bold and imaginative blueprint of the Road's Task Force into practice and we're now seeing the fruits of that labour at key locations across the capital.'
 
TfL's Managing Director of Surface Transport, Leon Daniels, said: `The Roads Task Force was set up to deliver world-class streets and roads fit for the future to support London's population which is set to grow to 10 million people by 2031.

`Balancing the needs of all users, we will be investing millions into transforming London's road network in the coming years, helping to keep the capital moving while creating new, inviting places to work, shop and relax.'
 
These improvements, made in partnership with London's boroughs, developers and businesses, will ensure the capital can cope with major population growth and remain one of the most economically productive, vibrant, accessible and attractive world cities.
 
British Land's Head of West End Asset Management, David Lockyer, said: `British Land wishes to thank TfL and Camden Council for its support and assistance in delivering this transformation of Euston Circus.

`It demonstrates that even the most challenging of London environments can be tackled with a united and focused partnership.

`The junction improvements are one of a number of key transport interventions funded by British Land in this area of Camden as part of its wider regeneration of Regent's Place. 

`The junction improvements provide benefits for all modes and especially for those cyclists and pedestrians accessing Regent's Place.

`The Regent's Place campus has become one of Central London's most dynamic office, residential and leisure locations and is home to over 14,000 workers and residents.'

Chair of London Councils' Transport and Environment Committee, Councillor Catherine West, said: `These schemes, developed in partnership with boroughs, developers, businesses, and Transport for London through the Mayor's Roads Task Force, should offer real benefits for local communities and road users.

`They will better address the needs of all road users, including pedestrians, cyclists and motorists, and have a positive impact on the quality of life for residents.

`We look forward to continuing our work with the Mayor's Roads Task Force to ensure these major projects are a success for Londoners.

The improvements being made to individual schemes outlined in this release includes:

• Croydon Fiveways - Major work to reduce traffic congestion in the local area and support growth in Croydon's metropolitan centre
• Balham High Road (Balham Boulevard) - The Balham Boulevard scheme will provide improvements to support the Balham Boulevard project including better pedestrian and cycling facilities and investment in public realm, including the planting of new trees
• Brent Cross/Cricklewood - Creation of a new road layouts and public spaces in the area to support new development and improve access to retail, dining and leisure facilities
• Charlie Brown's Roundabout - Improved facilities for pedestrians and cyclists, including new signal controlled crossings
• Euston Road - The creation of better crossings for pedestrians and cyclists, improvements to the local environment and work to support the movement of buses and other road users along Euston Road
• Lombard Roundabout - Major improvements to the operation of the roundabout and the creation of better facilities for cyclists and pedestrians
• London Road Roundabout - Improvements to the roundabout, including facilities to make it safer for cyclists travelling through the area
• Malden Rushett - Wider improvements to the A243 Leatherhead Road junction with Rushett Lane and Fairoak Lane, including a big focus on road safety and installation of new pedestrian crossings
• Mill Hill Circus -  Work to reduce congestion and improve journey time reliability in the area
• Purley Cross Gyratory - Improvements to the the quality of public realm and better access through the area for bus passengers and other road users
• Renwick Road (Barking Riverside) - Safer access for road users, including pedestrians and cyclists, to the Barking Riverside development from the A13
• Seven Sisters Road - Woodberry Down - Scheme to deliver safe, reliable and accessible road improvements to support new housing development in the local area
• Stoke Newington Gyratory - an upgrade of the existing road layout to make it safer and more easier accessible for pedestrians and cyclists
• Thornton Heath Ponds - Focused on improving the quality of public realm around Thornton Heath Pond
• Trinity Road/ Burntwood Lane- Work to reduce congestion and delays at the junction of Trinity Road and Burntwood Lane
• Tulse Hill Gyratory - Shorter-term scheme to improve road safety ahead of a longer-term scheme to address concerns about the operation of the gyratory
• Victoria Circus- Improvements to the local area for pedestrian and cyclists to support the major upgrade at Victoria Station.

The Roads Task Force progress report is available online here: www.tfl.gov.uk/roadstaskforce (The 50 Roads Task Force projects already underway can be found on a map on page 8)

Images of Elephant and Castle, the Waterloo IMAX roundabout and Euston Circus, are available on the TfL Flickr page which can be found here 
More information on the Better Junctions programme can be found here

The Roads Task Force includes members from: The Greater London Authority, Transport for London, the Chartered Institute of Logistics & Transport, Living Streets, IBM, Sustrans, University College London (UCL), London First, London TravelWatch, London Councils, Motorcycle Action Group (MAG UK), the Independent Disability Advisory Group, British Land, the RAC Foundation, City of London, and Cyclists in the City.