Leaked plans have revealed that Bank Junction — where a 26-year-old cyclist was killed earlier this year — may soon be rid of all traffic, except buses.
A report from London24 claims that the 'Battle for Bank' project was announced by architect and town planner Michael Welbeck at the Annual Dinner of the City’s Planning and Transportation held at the Guildhall. The project would involve a 12-month trial with Bank Junction functioning as a traffic-free zone, making it safer area for cyclists.
The plans were not supposed to be made public until the end of next month, but fellow dinner attendee, and New London Architecture chairman Peter Murray, leaked the details in his blog:
In his speech, Michael Welbank, Chairman of P&TC, launched the ‘Battle for Bank’ — a plan to remove all vehicles except buses from Bank Junction and restore it to its traditional role as a major public space in the Square Mile.
A joint consultation between Transport for London (TfL) and City of London Corporation will be held next month to decide whether or not the plans will go ahead.
Stop Killing Cyclists — which organised a 'die-in' at Bank Junction following the death of Ying Tao in June 2015 — responded to the news positively:
We wholeheartedly approve of this. We're sure @london_cycling would agree. Ying Tao did not die in vain. https://t.co/aMdj2GgM7J
— StopKillingCyclists (@StopKillingCycl) October 26, 2015
