Battersea Church Road: Consultation on proposed traffic restrictions

Overview

Following the receipt of a petition from residents on Battersea Church Road expressing concerns over the volume and speed of traffic on this road, Wandsworth Council's Strategic Planning and Transportation Committee recently approved a public consultation on options to help combat undesirable traffic conditions and improve the safety and environment of this road.

Recent survey data has shown Battersea Church Road is used by approximately 10,000 vehicles a day with over 100 collisions recorded in the five year period to the end of 2018. The council is keen to reduce the volume of unnecessary through traffic that uses this residential road and would like to seek your views on four potential options that have been identified. These would complement some potential planned traffic calming measures, which would include raised tables at Sunbury Lane and at Bollingbroke Walk to help reduce vehicle speeds and improve pedestrian facilities. It is also proposed to improve pedestrian facilities across accesses on Battersea Church Road subject to support from the consultation.

What options are being proposed?

Option 1 - A bus gate at the junction with Battersea Bridge Road. This is like a bus lane, access is for buses and cycles only.

Pros of option 1: This would remove all through traffic using Battersea Church Road, improve southbound bus journey times of route 170 and encourage the use of sustainable transport as buses and cyclists would be unaffected. Cyclists may also stay on Battersea Church Road instead of diverting on to the River Walk.
Cons of option 1: The drawback would be residents and businesses could only enter and leave from one side of Battersea Church Road. A bus gate at the junction with Battersea Bridge Road would mean all motor vehicular access except buses would be via the traffic signal junction with Battersea Square and Westbridge Road.

Option 2 - No left turn into Battersea Church Road from Battersea Square (cyclists will be exempt) and a banned right turn into Battersea Church Road from Battersea Bridge Road (buses and cyclists will be exempt)

Pros of option 2: This would remove the majority of through traffic from Battersea Square and Battersea Bridge Road as it allows residents and businesses greater flexibility with leaving Battersea Church Road. Cyclists may also stay on Battersea Church Road instead of diverting on to the River Walk.
Cons of option 2: Some through traffic will remain from right turns on Westbridge Road and left turns on Battersea Bridge Road to avoid congestion on Westbridge Road. Residents and businesses can only access Battersea Church Road via a left turn from Battersea Bridge Road or a right turn from Westbridge Road.

Option 3 - A banned right turn into Battersea Church Road from Battersea Bridge Road (buses and cyclists will be exempt).

Pros of option 3: This would remove the majority of southbound through traffic from Battersea Bridge Road. This option would approximately halve the existing traffic volume along Battersea Church Road and there would be no restriction leaving Battersea Church Road.
Cons of option 3: Northbound through traffic is likely to continue from Battersea Square, approximately half of the existing traffic volume along Battersea Church Road would remain and there is no right turn motor vehicular access into Battersea Church Road from Battersea Bridge Road.

Option 4 - No left turn into Battersea Church Road from Battersea Square / ahead only at Battersea Square (cyclists will be exempt).

Pros of option 4: This would remove majority northbound through traffic from Battersea Square. This option would approximately halve the existing traffic volume along Battersea Church Road and there would be no restriction leaving Battersea Church Road.
Cons of option 4: Southbound through traffic is likely to continue from Battersea Bridge Road, approximately half the existing traffic volume along Battersea Church Road would remain and there is no left turn motor vehicular access into Battersea Church Road from Battersea Square.

Public meetings

The council will be holding two drop-in sessions at Dimson Lodge, 141 Battersea Church Road on Wednesday 11 March and Tuesday 17 March from 3:30pm to 7:30pm. Residents are welcome to attend and speak to officers regarding the traffic management proposals for Battersea Church Road.

Have your say

Please give us your views by completing the online survey below. If you need any information in an alternative format please call (020) 8871 6668. 

If you have any other queries please contact TrafficAndEngineering@richmondandwandsworth.gov.uk