Southwark Bridge

Transport for London has been supposed to upgrade the junction at the northern end of Southwark Bridge for a number of years. Finally it seems plans are close to fruition, only to see that the cycle lanes at the northern end of the bridge are proposed for removal leaving hundreds of cyclists an hour to squeeze through three lanes of congested motor traffic:
Queen St Place colour plan showing how the traffic signals will operate and the flows of different road users
Queen St Place technical plan showing lane widths

The figures are from January 2007, when despite this being the least popular time to cycle, those on cycle make up 28% of northbound peak hour vehicular traffic. In the summer it could be as much as 40% and growing every year: surely deserving one out of the three lanes?

The Department for Transport refused permission for an innovative plan to let those on foot and cycle share the All Red Phase for Motor Traffic: see here

City of London Proposals for Southwark Bridge: these seem to be driven by engineers wanting fortified kerbs to protect the sides of the bridge from lorries rather than the specific needs of cyclists. Having cyclists emerging from these concrete walls and having to mix with large vehicles would be create a hazard that does not currently exist. These proposals were supposed to be implemented in 2006, now it seems they will be finished in winter 2007/8.