Balham to Clapham walking and cycling changes

We held a consultation on these changes from 5 September 2022 to 23 October 2022, and published a consultation report which confirmed our decision to retain the scheme permanently in August 2023. Further details are available here: Clapham Common to Oval cycling improvements.

In September 2020 we made changes to the Cycle Superhighway 7 (CS7) between Balham and Alderbrook Road in order to make it easier for people to cycle, walk and use the bus.

This page provides you with information on what has happened so far with the scheme, and our plans, including for engagement and consultation. You can ask us a Question, respond to our Survey and register for scheme updates.

Why we made these changes

In September 2020 we delivered several temporary changes to the scheme as part of our emergency response to the coronavirus pandemic. As London continues to recover from the pandemic it will be more important than ever to support and encourage everyone who can to be more active. Active travel can make people healthier and happier, and it plays a part in managing and reducing congestion as well as improving our environment.

These temporary improvements help reduce pressure on the Northern line and local bus services. There have also been a number of collisions involving cyclists along the A24, and these improvements help to protect cyclists and improve road safety.

The changes were made to keep people cycling safely: in the three years before the scheme was introduced 126 people cycling on the A24 were hurt in collisions; 19 people were seriously injured.

You can read the full details of changes we made in the Documents section.

What has happened so far

We have been monitoring the scheme since it was introduced. This includes the scheme’s effects on traffic flow, road safety and cycling and walking rates. We have also asked people for their views on the scheme. We are using this information to help inform what we do next.

We are now reviewing all the schemes we implemented as part of that programme, while also going back to schemes we intended to either consult on or build when the pandemic hit.

Listening to you

Although we are not currently undertaking a formal consultation on this scheme, we would like to know about your experiences of it. If you have any comments about the effects of our scheme, or suggestions for changes or improvements we might make, please let us know at by completing the Survey, emailing us at haveyoursay@tfl.gov.uk or using the Questions tool below.

In August 2021 we wrote to people to explain the next steps with many of the schemes we introduced as part of our response to the pandemic. We are now reviewing the schemes to decide what we’d like to retain.

If we decide to introduce the permanent scheme as originally planned, or retain the existing temporary scheme, we will consult with you.