Let's make Mitcham Lane safe for all

Mitcham Lane is an 'A' road, and as such is an important route for people moving both within, and passing through the area. The width of the road, not including the pavement, is at least 10.5m for a significant stretch passing through Wandsworth (from the roundabout with Southcroft Road to the junction with Eardley Road).

Using this road, on foot, or by bicycle is not straightforward. We believe space exists for high quality segregated cycle routes to be placed on the road ensuring that people of whatever age or ability can choose to cycle locally. These tracks could be on each side of the road or a two-way cycle track could be provided on one side.

This narrowing of the carriageway should result in lower speeds by motorists, and make it easier for pedestrians and the less able to cross the road.

With 50% of car trips in London being two miles or less, many of those journeys could be cycled if the streets were designed in a more inviting manner. Mitcham Lane frequently has cars parked with 'for sale' signs, and cars are also often parked illegally too close to side junctions restricting clear and safe views of the road for all users.

The local parade of shops also suffers from the dominance of motor traffic that the current street design facilitates. The changes we are asking for would help breathe more life into the area, and boost the local economy.

We need to show significant local support for this so that TfL listen to us and can ensure the next update / resurfacing includes installing proper cycle tracks. This post from the Cycling Embassy of Great Britain illustrates how using existing legislation, officers can install high quality cycle tracks:
http://www.cycling-embassy.org.uk/blog/2013/07/26/a-view-from-the-drawing-board-cycle-track-priority-across-side-roads

This petition is also supported by the Wandsworth Cycling Campaign (part of London Cycling Campaign - http://www.wandsworthcyclists.org.uk)