Developing a cycle-friendly roundabout in Battersea

As part of Transport for London’s (TfL) Better Junctions Review, TfL developed an initial concept design to improve cycle safety at the Queens Circus roundabout, incorporating separate lanes for cyclists. A key safety benefit of the new layout is that vehicles turning left to exit the roundabout are held at traffic lights while bikes are allowed to continue straight-on, reducing the danger of a collision.

In order to manage the increased traffic within the local network resulting from the construction of 16,000 new homes along Nine Elms Lane, Steer worked collaboratively with two highway authorities to develop the innovative design.  As part of our role we were responsible for progressing the preliminary design, traffic modelling, detailed design and on-site support during the construction work. 

We developed the design to ensure the following objectives could be achieved:

1. Manage traffic within the network, which will continue to experience increased traffic demands for all modes due to the redevelopment of 16,000 new homes within the Nine Elms area,
2. Provide a safe facility for the growing numbers of new and experienced cyclists,
3. Provide safe pedestrian crossings,
4. Maintain access to properties and businesses located around the roundabout,
5. Develop a scheme that could be approved and implemented by numerous parties within tight time and budgetary constraints.

To ensure the new signalling arrangement complimented the surrounding network, Steer used TRANSYT and VISSIM modelling to demonstrate visually each mode’s route around the roundabout and to manage internal queue lengths by varying signal timings and sequencing.

Due to the innovative and non-standard design we adapted our approach accordingly and provided flexible design advice throughout.

The recent improvements to the Queens Circus roundabout were successfully designed and constructed on time to a very tight programme and has been shortlisted for the CIHT Innovation Award 2016.

Alan Bristow, Director of Road Space Management at TfL, said “Queens Circus has some of the highest cycle flows in Wandsworth and this innovative design, as well as the four new pedestrian crossings, will deliver safer travel through Battersea.”