Cars, taxis and lorries will be banned from one of London’s most notorious junctions in a ground-breaking road safety measure to start in April.
Only cyclists and buses will be allowed to use Bank junction between the hours of 7am and 7pm after the City of London Corporation voted overwhelmingly in favour of the scheme at a meeting on Thursday.
Lasting an initial 18 months, the aim is to make the junction safer for cyclists and pedestrians with an estimated 50-60 per cent reduction in casualties per year.
It comes after Cambridge graduate Ying Tao, 26, died after being hit by a turning HGV as she cycled through the junction on her way to work in June 2015.
The newlywed City worker from China was riding to work at PwC when she was hit by an HGV during the morning rush hour.
A total of 34 cyclists and 31 pedestrians were injured in the 7am-7pm period between 2011 and last year. Seventy-five per cent of all collisions at the junction happen between those times.
Chris Hayward, Chairman of the City of London Corporation’s Planning and Transportation Committee, said: “Our number one priority for this work at Bank junction is to improve safety and reduce casualties.
“At the moment, Bank is too clogged full of traffic, confusing for road users and not really a place that people can enjoy, when it really should be, as one of London’s most iconic places.
“Proposing to restrict motor traffic during the weekdays at Bank is a decision we have therefore taken after careful consideration and in close discussion with the local community, businesses and residents.”
Following a formal public consultation next year, a final decision will be made on whether to make the ban permanent.
The Corporation proposed the ban a year ago and has been consulting with Transport for London and black cab drivers.
Under the scheme, cars, lorries and taxis will be rerouted via signage on the approach to the junction. New taxi ranks will also be provided.
Vehicles will be tracked through number plate recognition and anyone breaking the ban may face a £130 penalty.
The corporation's Policy and Resources Committee approved the scheme by a vote of 22:1.
Trevor Merralls, of the United Cabbies Group, said he they would fight the plan “every inch of the way.”
