Proposals

Route History

The Grand Union and Regent’s Canal towpaths provide a pleasant and useful walking and cycling route across Westminster, connecting to Camden Town to the east and Westbourne Park to the west. However, its popularity for walking and cycling, and the on-street diversions in places, mean it is not appropriate for a high-quality strategic Cycleway. Therefore, Westminster City Council (WCC) is considering an “on-carriageway” walking, cycling and wheeling route between Harrow Road and Prince Albert Road, connecting into the wider London cycling network.  

The London Borough of Camden are also considering proposals for Prince Albert Road, which provides an opportunity for a continuous on-carriageway connection at the eastern end of the considered route.  

Transport for London (TfL) are also progressing C51, a north-south Cycleway connecting to C27 and C43. The C51 routing via Cunningham Place has been consulted on with a positive outcome. 

The proposed cycleway has been split into two sections. The western section of the proposed cycleway, between Delamere Terrace and Aberdeen Place, is already an established cycling alignment, and a separate council project is being progressed to enable two-way cycling along the length of Blomfield Road to enable this connection.  

This consultation focuses on the eastern section connecting Aberdeen Place to Prince Albert Road, identifying and assessing a range of east-west Cycleway route alignment options.  

Suggested Alignments

Two main route alignments have been considered and developed to connect the section of the route adjacent to the Grand Union canal on Aberdeen Place to the proposed cycle route on Prince Albert Road in Camden. The proposed routes would provide high-quality, dedicated space for cycling in both directions, with the detailed layout to be confirmed through further design work.  

Due to existing bus routes and bus stops along Prince Albert Road, proposals would require four bus stop bypasses for a two-way cycle track, or seven bus stop bypasses (three on the north and four on the south side) for with-flow cycle tracks. All bus stop bypasses would have a minimum island width of 2.5m. 

Option 1: St John’s Wood Road alignment:

This option consists of a cycleway alignment along St John’s Wood Road and Prince Albert Road, linking directly with Cycleway 51 at Cunningham Place and the Westminster–Camden boundary, where it would connect with the proposed Camden cycleway on Prince Albert Road. 

Route via Aberdeen Place - Cunningham Place - St John’s Wood Rd - Prince Albert Rd 

BENEFITS: 

• Direct and legible route: Provides a clear, continuous east–west connection between Harrow Road and the Cross Camden Cycleway, supporting a coherent strategic network. Simple connection with C51 at Cunningham Place/St John’s Wood Road junction. 

• Improved safety and visibility: Locating the route on well-lit, trafficked streets increases social safety and personal security, particularly at night, compared to the canal towpath.  

CONSIDERATIONS: 

• Streetscape and environmental impact: Design solutions would need to sensitively address existing trees and heritage streetscape along St John’s Wood Road. 

• Coordination with TfL: As sections of the route lie on the Transport for London Road Network (TLRN), the scheme would need to meet TfL design standards and be delivered in partnership. 

Option 2: Lodge Road alignment via St John’s Wood Road or Henderson Drive:

This option consists of a cycleway alignment along Lisson Grove, Lodge Road and Prince Albert Road, either via St John’s Wood Road or Henderson Drive. The route would connect Cycleway 51 (C51) at Cunningham Place with the proposed Camden cycleway on Prince Albert Road, forming part of a wider east–west active travel corridor across Westminster. 

Route via Aberdeen Place - Cunningham Place - St John’s Wood Rd/Henderson Dr - Lisson Grove - Lodge Rd - Park Rd - Prince Albert Rd 

BENEFITS: 

• Strong network integration: Provides a link with C51 at Cunningham Place and a continuous connection to the Cross Camden Cycleway, supporting a coherent cross-borough cycling network.  

• Improved junction safety: Avoids the St John’s Wood Road / Park Road roundabout, reducing exposure to a complex and high-traffic junction. 

• Enhanced crossing opportunities: Makes use of an existing signalised crossing on Park Road, which could be upgraded to a toucan crossing to support safe cycle and pedestrian movements. 

CONSIDERATIONS: 

• Route legibility: Compared with a more direct alignment along St John’s Wood Road, this option introduces additional turns, which may slightly reduce wayfinding simplicity for longer-distance trips. 

• Traffic and speed management: Lodge Road currently carries moderate to high traffic volumes; additional measures may be needed to create a comfortable cycling environment and reduce through-traffic speeds. 

• Streetscape and environmental sensitivity: Design will need to consider tree preservation and heritage character along St John’s Wood Road. 

• Coordination with TfL: Some sections are part of the Transport for London Road Network (TLRN) and will require partnership working to meet network management and design standards. 

DfT LTN 1/20 – Cycle Route requirements

Have your say on the proposals by filling in the Questionnaire here