'Bike boxes' could be provided at Abbey Street junction before Olympics

Transport for London will "in the very near future" publish proposals for changes to the junction of Tower Bridge Road and Abbey Street where cyclist Ellie Carey was killed last December, Mayor of London Boris Johnson has confirmed.

The Mayor has told Liberal Democrat London Assembly member Caroline Pidgeon that options under consideration include the installation of safety mirrors to improve visibility and a possible ban on left turns from Tower Bridge Road into Abbey Street.

In a letter to the assembly member Mr Johnson has also confirmed that all options under consideration by TfL include so-called 'bike boxes' or advanced stop lines (ASLs) to enable cyclists to move off from traffic lights ahead of motor traffic.

"TfL is currently investigating whether these can be installed prior to the moratorium on road works due to the Olympic and Paralympic Games," said the Mayor.

However, City Hall has indicated that more substantial changes to the junction will have to wait until after the Olympics and Paralympics.

"It is good news that the Mayor and TfL now concede that at least advanced stop lines can be completed before the start of the the Olympic Games," says Caroline Pidgeon.

"I will be pushing hard to ensure such basic improvements are completed as a matter of urgency."