Westminster Bridge postponed after attack

Pic:Westminster Bridge
Staff reporter(wp/es):

Works aimed at making Westminster Bridge safer for pedestrians and cyclists have been postponed after last week's terror attack.

The bridge was due to get two protected bike lanes, while Transport for London (TfL) also planned a new pedestrian crossing on Westminster Bridge Road along with other improvements.

Once finished, the changes would see speed on the bridge cut back to 20mph.

Construction had been due to begin on Wednesday as part of a year-long project.

However, TfL revealed on Monday that the work was being placed on hold with no confirmed date yet for when it would start.

The decision was made in light of last week’s attack by extremist Khalid Masood, who mowed down pedestrians in a hire car before stabbing PC Keith Palmer to death outside Parliament.

Leon Daniels, Managing Director of Surface Transport at TfL, said: “Our thoughts remain with the families and friends of those affected by the terrorist incident in Westminster.

“Works on and around Westminster Bridge were due to start next week to improve the area for cyclists and pedestrians, but we have temporarily postponed this work while we engage with a range of key stakeholders, including parliamentary estates.”

Once completed, the lanes will link directly into the East-West cycle superhighway. 

Segregated lanes have already been introduced on Southwark, Blackfriars and Vauxhall bridges.