The new route connects more than 10,000 new homes in Barking Riverside to the Town Centre
Barking & Dagenham is accelerating its journey to becoming one of the most cycle-friendly boroughs in London. This week the borough has seen the opening of Cycleway 42 with the route now providing a new link from Barking Riverside to Barking Town Centre following new cycling and walking improvements. Cycleway 42, which is part of a wider route connecting to Ilford Town Centre, provides a safer cycling route for residents as the borough encourages them to swap their cars for bikes. The route will also connect the newest residents of Barking Riverside and the 10,000 new homes being built to the centre of Barking.
Be First, the urban regeneration arm of Barking & Dagenham Council, has been promoting active travel in the borough, having recently launched a new cycle hub for residents to get their bicycles repaired, as well as launching a consultation for people to share the areas they think will most benefit from secure cycle hangars. The opening of Cycleway 42 is another reason for Barking & Dagenham residents to choose active travel over cars.
The route guides cyclists through residential areas, over waterways and through green spaces, making it more enjoyable to travel by bicycle and, most importantly, making it safer to do so. The route also includes improvements to key busy spots along the highway, including two junctions where Wedderburn Road junctions with St Awdry’s Road and where Eldred Road junctions with St Awdry’s Road – both spots that many cyclists may have avoided in the past.
Be First has also teamed up with Newham Council and Transport for London to connect Cycleway 42 to Cycleway 3, meaning Barking and Dagenham residents will have direct active travel access into central London.
Cllr Cameron Geddes, Cabinet Member for Regeneration & Economic Development at Barking and Dagenham Council, said:
“We’re working incredibly hard to make active travel more accessible for everyone across Barking and Dagenham – the opening of Cycleway 42 provides safer and healthier commuting options for our residents, with the route connecting them to central London and Barking Town Centre. Our active travel programme is in full swing, and we look forward to progressing more of our efforts to make Barking and Dagenham to provide the best for our residents and make it easier for them to swap their cars for their bikes.”
Be First would like to hear about your experience on Cycleway 42, if you’d like to get in touch with the team to share your thoughts, please email them at cycling@befirst.london
