Work starts on London’s Cycle Superhighway 2

Work has started on a substantial upgrade of Cycle Superhighway 2 (CS2) in London.

The upgrade, which received 90 per cent support in consultation, will deliver a fully and semi-segregated cycle route between Aldgate and Bow Roundabout. Eleven cycle-priority junctions will also be installed, including at Aldgate East, Mile End and Whitechapel.

The vast majority of the route will be separated with a kerb, which will keep cyclists away from road traffic. Where there is less space for kerbed segregation, cyclists will be separated from traffic by highly-visible traffic ‘wands’ - regularly spaced flexible poles that clearly define the cycle track.

The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, said: "We know there was overwhelming support to overhaul Cycle Superhighway 2 and now it is full steam ahead to do exactly that. The plans we’re delivering will make this route safer for cyclists by giving them more space on the road and away from traffic. With record numbers cycling in the capital we’re pulling out all the stops to deliver world class infrastructure that everyone in our city can be proud of.”

The start of the upgrade work on CS2 marks the beginning of a major build programme of new cycle routes across the capital this year, including the North-South and East-West “Crossrail for Bikes” routes, which will be complete during 2016. As work progresses on the upgrade to CS2, sections of the route will be opened up to cyclists where safe to do so, with the full upgraded route scheduled to be completed by spring 2016.