Baylis Road trees face the chop for new bike lane

The £130,000 project to improve conditions for cyclists at the junction of Baylis Road and Waterloo Road is part of Transport for London's Quietway 5 route which will eventually run from Waterloo to Norbury.

The works include the removal of the existing feeder cycle lane which is in the middle of the general traffic lanes, and a a new yellow box at the junction of Baylis Road and Spur Road to prevent the junction being blocked.

Lambeth Council says that in order to provide a segregated cycle lane outside the Waterloo Action Centre and the offices of Steel & Shamash solicitors it will need to cut down three trees.

"Unfortunately it is not possible to deliver the scheme without removing these trees however the council recognises the need to ensure there is no overall loss in the number of trees on the public highway," says a report by council officers.

"To offset the removal of three existing trees, the design includes the planting of six new street trees in the immediate area.

"Three are due to be planted along the section of footway where the existing trees are being removed but in line with the new kerb line. Another three trees will be planted on the same (north) side of Baylis Road, around the Lower Marsh/Spur Road junctions."

The scheme has now been approved by Sue Foster, Lambeth's strategic director for neighbourhoods and growth.