Bank Junction scheme hailed a “success” as accident figures fall

Cyclists are calling for the Bank Junction restrictions to be extended to a 24 hour, 7 day a week period after it was revealed there has been a significant reduction in casualties at the notorious accident blackspot.
This is of course unsurprising given that the only vehicles allowed to enter the junction are buses and cycles.
The 18 month trial is currently in force from 7am to 7pm, 5 day a week and restrictions apply to all other vehicles, with a £130 penalty charge issued for any contravention of the exclusion from the junction.
The ban has been supported by 150 firms in the City, but has been condemned by the taxi industry as well as some businesses in the area, which include The Ned Hotel.
The restriction surrounding the junction was put in place after cyclist Ying Tao was killed by an HGV turning left in 2015.
In the period between 2012 and 2016 there was 107 accidents which included 2 fatalities.
This figure is in stark contrast to just 6 accidents in the first 6 months of the scheme, of which 5 involved cyclists and include one serious injury to a pedestrian.
There is concern from many quarters that the scheme has caused serious traffic problems on the roads surrounding Bank Junction and may also be causing major air quality issues on those roads.
There is also consternation from the taxi industry at their exclusion as there has not been a single death attributed to the trade in over a decade.
The scheme is going to be reviewed by the City of London in July of this year.
