A foot and cycle path that dramatically reduces journey times for people wanting to get from Camberwell to Dulwich is being upgraded.

The Greendale Link, an attractive cycle and pedestrian route which connects Dulwich to Denmark Hill will have a cash injection of around £300k to further improve this highly used route. The improvements to Greendale are further evidence of the success of Southwark Council's long term partnership with Southwark Cyclists and other key stakeholders which aims to promote more, safer cycling.

Measures to revamp Greendale will include better lighting, tarmac resurfacing, clearer designation between cyclists and pedestrians with improved access at either end of the route.

Works are due to start mid November and will run into January 2013 during which time signed diversions will be put in place when sections of the path are temporarily closed.

Cllr Barrie Hargrove said:"The path is already heavily used by cyclists and pedestrians wanting to avoid making a long detour on busy roads. The path is a real asset for anyone wanting to get around the local area quickly and safely. The upgrade will I hope make it more attractive and encourage even more of our residents to make use of it."

"This is yet another example of Southwark Council's commitment to supporting the borough's cyclists, those who use bikes to commute through the borough and those who would like to 'bike it' but don't yet.

"This project is part of Southwark Council's strategy to make the borough one of the 'bike friendliest' in the capital within five years."

The work at Greendale is part of Southwark Council's long term strategy to improve cycle routes in the borough and connect areas.

Earlier this year, Southwark Cyclists and Southwark Council joined together to create a safer borough for bikes over the next five years. A new network of safe routes for cyclists is being identified across the borough with both organisations pledging to develop as many of the routes as possible free from intimidating traffic.

Surveys show that many people want to cycle but are put off by fear of traffic. These initiatives, and the one to enhance Greendale, aim to reduce those fears.

The Greendale scheme takes Southwark's spending on cycle links in the current financial year over to £1 million and the council have already pledged to spend £500,000 on future schemes to improve cycle links.

Last month, Southwark Council rolled out Trixi mirrors at key junctions across the borough in a commitment to reduce the number of collisions between drivers and cyclists. These potentially life saving Trixi mirrors are attached to traffic lights allowing bus and lorry drivers to see cyclists and pedestrians on their near-side, thanks to the concave mirrors which improve the visibility for drivers of HGV's.

Southwark Council became what is believed to be the first London borough to install the mirrors.

Furthermore, the council continues to lobby TfL to improve safety on Cycle Superhighways and at key junctions and welcomes working in partnership with cycle groups and interested parties to do all it can to make the roads in the borough safer for all users and improve cycle networks.

The council is keen to listen to a range of views on how to promote more, safer cycling in Southwark. The Cycling Joint Steering group is open to ideas, comments and suggestions from all parties. 

For more information contact transport@... or see our website at www.southwark.gov.uk/cycling

Regards,