Battersea Bridge safety

Along with the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea (RBKC), we're working to make Chelsea Embankment safer for everyone. The next phase of current safety improvements at Battersea Bridge starts in 2024/2025.

Upcoming works

We've worked closely with RBKC and Wandsworth Council on plans to add more pedestrian crossings and improvements for cyclists at Battersea Bridge's junction with Cheyne Walk - we consulted on these plans in late 2022/early 2023.

After carefully considering all the consultation responses, we initially decided to proceed with the scheme as presented in the consultation materials.

However, after later local feedback we've agreed to significantly reduce the bus lane in our proposals and instead create 2 general westbound traffic lanes. We now plan to install around 35 metres of bus lane at the westbound approach to the Battersea Bridge junction only.

What we've already done

We completed the first phase of work to the area around the Battersea Bridge/Cheyne Walk junction safer for people walking and cycling in November 2021.

After the tragic death of a man on Battersea Bridge in early 2021, we agreed with RKBC to speed up urgent plans for a new crossing over the width of the bridge. As part of this we built a signalised pedestrian crossing on the north side of Battersea Bridge.

That crossing across the southern arm of the junction of Battersea Bridge, Beaufort Street, Cheyne Walk and Chelsea Embankment helps people avoid the dangers of turning vehicles there.

We also:

  • Widened the pavement on each side of Battersea Bridge Road
  • Installed tactile paving to make it easier for people with accessibility needs
  • Installed a new stop line for cyclists 12.5 metres from its existing position
  • Lowered the speed limit on Chelsea Embankment and Cheyne Walk from 30mph to 20mph

We enforce the banned right turn from Cheyne Walk into Battersea Bridge Road 24 hours a day, instead of just during the daytime.

An area-wide approach

Chelsea Embankment is home to 2 of the most dangerous junctions in London, at Chelsea Bridge and Battersea Bridge.

It's still a popular place to walk and is used by around 10,000 cyclists every day. In line with Vision Zero - which aims to eradicate death and serious injury from London's transport network by 2041 - we want to protect all road users from danger.

To do this, we need to consider the various ways in which people choose to get around and the impact of changes on local roads. We'll work with local people to get their feedback on any changes we propose - they're the ones who will be most affected.

After discussions with the local community in early 2024, we gave RBKC and local residents' associations a short paper which sets out our rationale for recent design and planning decisions in the area.

Our 5-year commitment on Chelsea Embankment

We have listened and understand the local community's concerns about taking a piecemeal approach to Chelsea Embankment and its side roads.

The Battersea Bridge safety scheme - developed over several years - was brought forward at pace to address a known safety risk to vulnerable road users.

We don't plan on making any other changes to the TfL road network in Kensington & Chelsea along Cheyne Walk, Chelsea Embankment and Grosvenor Road until at least March 2029. (From time to time TfL or utility companies may need to carry out maintenance on these roads. We'll notify residents of any traffic management plans if that happens.)

However, we will consider improvements to the road network before then if the community feels they're needed.

Contact us

Questions or concerns about the planned improvements at Battersea Bridge?

customerservice@tfl.gov.uk