Blackfriars Bridge: cyclists could get own traffic light phase

The early-start system has been developed by TfL's own traffic engineers and is believed to be the first of its kind in the UK.

Installation of the new equipment at Bow Roundabout will start next month. The scheme has been funded from the £15 million for cycle safety in London announced by George Osborne in last week's Budget.

"TfL will closely monitor the performance of the early start facilities, and has now begun to look at other junctions across London where this technology could also be introduced to provide a safer route through junctions or roundabouts, including potentially on Blackfriars Bridge," said the transport authority in a statement.

TfL says that the £15 million from the Department for Transport will also be used to help improve St George's Circus, Waterloo roundabout and other locations across London which are currently under consideration as part of the junction review programme.

Over the past year Blackfriars Bridge has been the centre of a number of cycle safety campaigns with activists unimpressed by the new road layout at the north end of the bridge created as part of the redevelopment of Blackfriars Station.