Improving Arthur Street for pedestrians and cyclists, and changes to 344 bus route

Update 29 June 2023

Between 27 February and 12 April 2023 we consulted on improvements to Arthur Street and its junctions with Upper Thames Street and King William Street for pedestrians and cyclists. This included proposed changes to the 344 bus route. We received 463 responses to the consultation. The majority of responses we received supported our proposals and understood why we are proposing these improvements for pedestrians and cyclists. We also received a number of responses raising concerns about the diversion of the 344 bus and the loss of a cross-river service at Southwark Bridge.  

We have now published our report and the response to issues raised on the outcomes of the consultation, which you can also find in the ‘Documents’ section of this webpage.  

We have reviewed all feedback to the consultation and are using this to help us with the next stages of design. Subject to approvals from the City of London, changes to Arthur Street and the junctions with Upper Thames Street and King William Street could be made by Spring 2024. Regarding the change to the 344 bus, we have used feedback to the consultation to make the decision for the 344 to remain on the current routing so that it serves London Bridge (northbound) and Southwark Bridge (southbound). This means that the temporary re-routing that has been in place since 2015 would become permanent.

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Overview

We would like your feedback on proposals to reopen and improve Arthur Street for pedestrians and cyclists. This includes permanently re-routing the 344 bus via London Bridge. We would like to know how these proposals might impact you as you travel into or through the area.

On this page you can see maps of our proposals for Arthur Street and the junctions with Upper Thames Street and King William Street. There is information and maps about the proposals for the 344 bus route, an Easy Read document and British Sign Language (BSL) video of our proposals. We have provided some Frequency Asked Questions but you can also ask us your own question, and respond to our survey.

You have until 12 April 2023 to give us your feedback.

What are we proposing at Arthur Street?

We are proposing to reopen Arthur Street for pedestrians and cyclists in both directions, and for emergency service vehicles and vehicles needed to access buildings on Arthur Street. Our proposals also include permanently rerouting the 344 bus route via London Bridge (northbound and southbound).

Arthur Street, in the City of London, was closed to the public in 2015 to be used as part of a worksite for the Bank Station Capacity Upgrade project. Before this the junction of Arthur Street and King William Street was identified on TfL’s Safer Junctions list. Our proposals are an important part of our Vision Zero aim. Vision Zero represents our aim to eradicate deaths and serious injuries from our roads and make London a safer, healthier, and greener place by 2041.

The improvements with the junction of Upper Thames Street reflect what was consulted on as part of the Cycle Superhighway 3 (CS3) proposals and would also create a cycle-friendly area by linking this cycle route with the cycling improvements north of King William Street.

We have produced maps to help you understand our proposals for Arthur Street and the junctions with Upper Thames Street and King William Street.

What are we proposing for the 344 bus route?

When Arthur Street was closed in 2015 the 344 bus route was diverted via London Bridge (northbound) and Southwark Bridge (southbound) to avoid the closed road. We are proposing to permanently route the 344 via London Bridge (northbound and southbound); this reflects the diversion northbound in place since 2015. The proposed route via London Bridge (northbound and southbound) would have an overall benefit to customers and maintain an accessible bus route to and from London Bridge, as well as allowing for the proposed improvements to Arthur Street for pedestrians and cyclists.

We have looked at whether we could continue to run the 344 over Southwark Bridge. We do not think this would be feasible due to the changes to the junction of Upper Thames Street and Arthur Street as part of the CS3 proposals.

Any changes to Arthur Street and the routing of the 344 bus following feedback to this consultation, could be made in Summer 2023.

Information to help you respond

We have provided more information to help you respond. Visit the Documents section for:

• Maps showing our proposed changes to Arthur Street and its junctions
• Bus route map showing the proposed new route for the 344 bus
• An Easy Read version of our materials, and the Easy Read consultation survey
• A BSL video of our proposals
• The Equalities Impact Assessments for the Arthur Street proposals and the 344 bus route changes
• A copy of our consultation survey in case you would prefer to respond offline
• Frequency Asked Questions about the proposals

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