This morning saw Bank Junction in the heart of the City of London closed to all traffic other than buses and cyclists in what campaigners have called an "historic" move - but video from the scene shows that some motorists appear to be ignoring the ban.
Footage from an Evening Standard report shows taxis, cars, vans and a lorry being driven through the junction - despite all now being banned from it between 7am and 7pm on weekdays.
During the opening weeks of the 18-month trial, motorists caught driving through the junction between those hours will be given a "warning notice," according to City of London planning and transportation chair Chris Hayward.
He said: “We are first going to warn people of the new regulations, we won’t penalise them straight away and then persistent offenders will be given fines.”
The junction is one of the most dangerous for cyclists and pedestrians alike in the capital and the campaign group Stop Killing Cyclists held a 'live-in' to celebrate the changes this morning as well as laying flowers in memory of Ying Tao, the 26-year-old who was killed at Bank as she rode to work in 2015.
The group's co-founder, Donnachadh McCarthy, said: “It is a historic day for cyclists and pedestrians in London.
“We congratulate City of London for taking the steps to change the lifestyle for cyclists in the city."
Green Party London Assembly Member Caroline Russell described Bank as "a notoriously dangerous junction" and that incidents in which vulnerable road users are injured or killed "are happening to our friends and neighbours."
She added: "Road safety isn't just a problem for someone, it's a problem for all Londoners."
In a comment on the Standard's story, someone who works nearby said the traffic restrictions"will also make the area far more appealing to tourists and spending lunchbreaks in front of the Bank of England on a nice day like today far more pleasant."
The City of London Corporation said it would take on board feedback during the trial ahead of consulting on permanent changes for the junction.
Pictures courtesy Bikesy.co.uk.
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18 comments
It need to have the correct signage one way and also no entery
It is more of a money maker than a safty
and this quote is a lie when was it said by him ? see below
During the opening weeks of the 18-month trial, motorists caught driving through the junction between those hours will be given a "warning notice," according to City of London planning and transportation chair Chris Hayward.
He said: “We are first going to warn people of the new regulations, we won’t penalise them straight away and then persistent offenders will be given fines.”
I did notice less cars but still plenty to go around.
Cycling through this junction has been a nightmare. My usual route involves turning right from Poultry towards London Bridge, which leaves you really exposed in normal traffic.
Well done City of London for trialling this. Early days yet, but it'd be better if enforcement was tough from day one.
I can think of a number of cities around the world where this junction would be a major pedestrian plaza with cycle routes through it. Hopefully this will happen for Bank.
I pedalled thru there yesterday on my usual route to the office - there was a little less traffic about but you wouldnt have known there was a ban on - no police visible either
I cycled home through Bank at 5.15pm last night - there was a little bit of unauthorised traffic still but it was so much nicer than the general traffic dodging melee that usually greets me. I've been cycling through Bank every day for 18 years. No doubt it will get better still as the warning notices / fines start hitting drivers' doormats - I can't say that the traffic free thng was very well signposted or advertised in advance.
My office is just round the corner from Bank, in Lombard Street , and the much reduced traffic volume has made Lombard and surrounding streets so much more pleasant to be in. I thought the air actually smelt fresh when I popped out at lunchtime yesterday!
London Transport - please keep it up and keep on with your attempts to squeeze private and hire cars out of central London. There is a high density bus & tube service (Bank has 2 tube lines and numerous bus routes passing though it) available, in addition to the bicycle. The only other vehicles that need to be on central London's roads are those delivering goods.
I was there in the morning for the live-in and cycled through in the evening. Although it was disappointing not to have the police there at 7am, there was definitely less traffic in the evening. I think it's going to work and it's going to be fantastic for the pedestrians.
TBH this is a pretty big change that will take time to sink in. Then again it also goes to show how many drivers will pay 'zero' attention to signage.
We know that from Kingston.
http://road.cc/content/news/213816-s-lot-angry-drivers-mini-holland-fine...
Two weeks of sending letters, and then the fines will start having their effect. Hopefully it will help improve cyclist and pedestrian safety in the area.
Plenty of moaning and victim-blaming in the comments on various news websites, which is to be expected.
On the radio the police said they would send out warning letters for two weeks then start £140 fines.
They don't need to be thre for these to take place.
What a total fcuking waste of time.
Which bit ?
I went past there at lunch time and there were lots of taxis, vans, cars and lorries going through there. Nobody the to enforce our warm drivers.
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I think one warning is fair, then an escalation of fine/points for repeat offenders.
But if it isn't being policed either with officers on site or cameras then it's a waste of time.
You'll always get those who think it doesn't apply to them. hopefully the scheme will pan out for the better.
I can't see a warning letter doing much. Just fine the fuckers and have done with it...
Oh, well, a strongly worded letter will do the world of good!
Also went through this morning. Circa 0830. Just to have a look!
there were less taxis. Otherwise no change.
no police either.
will give them a few days to get better signs and stuff in place.
Went through the junction this morning - private vehicles (addison lee) drove striaght though after chatting to policeman at the lights....