October 2023 We have started work on the second phase of work which we expect to complete in November 2024. Watch our video to get an idea of the changes coming.
We have sent a letter (PDF) locally to advise on the changes we are constructing which include:
- Reducing Drake Street & Procter Street to one lane of traffic and one bus and taxi lane, to allow space for a segregated cycle track. Bus stops and stands will be relocated and consolidated.
- Allowing two-way cycling in and out of Red Lion Square.
- Adding a “cycle gate” (where cyclists have their own signal and move at a different time to the rest of the traffic) on Procter Street at the junction with High Holborn and a separate signalised cycle lane on High Holborn, approaching Procter Street, to provide further road safety benefits for people cycling.
- Adding ‘cycle early releases’ (where cyclists get a green light before other traffic) and bigger cycle boxes (where cyclists can wait at traffic lights ahead of other traffic) at the junction of High Holborn and Southampton Row, with ‘two-stage right turn’ facilities, and buff-coloured surfaces at pedestrian crossings.
- Extending the existing southbound bus lane (which can also be used by taxis and cycles) on Southampton Row from Catton Street through the junction to 20m south of High Holborn. The bus lane would operate 24 hours a day as far as Remnant Street.
- Relocating the existing loading bay on High Holborn to the west by 50m, with loading permitted 24 hours a day.
- To the east of Procter Street, loading will be permitted on the north side of High Holborn between the hours of 7pm-7am, but parking will not be permitted. Outside of the hours of loading (7am-7pm) a cycle lane will be in operation.
- Providing loading on Procter Street on the approach to High Holborn, permitted 7pm-7am.
- Improving the look and feel of the area by adding planting including rain gardens. This will also reduce to risk of flooding and improve biodiversity.
- Introducing two way cycling on Catton Street where traffic can only travel one way.
- On Fisher Street, introducing a westbound exit onto Southampton Row for cycles only, as well as improved directions for eastbound cyclists to improve the connection to Red Lion Square and also to provide an alternative southbound route from Southampton Row to High Holborn that avoids the Theobalds Road/Drake Street junction.
August 2023 - We are going to be constructing the changes in phases to reduce the disruption locally. We will start phase one from 5th August
Phase 1
- Increasing cycle boxes from 5m to 7.5m at the junction of Theobalds Road and Drake Street
- Changing the ahead & right turn lane on Kingsway north to a right turn only into Remnant Street
December 2022 - Cabinet approves the proposed changes following the consultation in November.
October 2022 - Consultation launched on changes to High Holborn, Drake Street and Procter Street
High Holborn, Drake Street & Procter Street - closes 11th November 2022
With the latest tragic death of a cyclist in Holborn, in March 2022, it is imperative that we make more changes to reduce the risk of injury or death around High Holborn, Drake Street and Procter Street. This is also an opportunity to make other “Healthy Street” improvements in this area, including better pedestrian facilities, adding plants and trees, and giving bus journeys more priority.
May 2022 - Completion of works around Southampton Row. Read the press release on the completed works.
January 2022 - We started construction on the improvements including:
- New sections of segregated cycle track northbound and southbound on
Southampton Row
- A new “cycle gate” southbound on Southampton Row at the junction with Theobalds
Road. This is where cyclists are held at a red signal while motor traffic flows through
the junction first, and then cyclists get a green signal to enter into an enlarged cycle
box area so they can then move before the motor traffic
- New cycle boxes (Advanced Stop Lines) for cyclists in all directions providing safer
spaces for cyclists
- An “early start” at traffic lights for cyclists
- The ability for cyclists to turn right in two steps (stages) on all approaches. A two
stage right turn allows a cyclist to more forward from when signalled, before waiting
in a safe designated area before turning right
- A bus, cycle and taxi lane southbound between 150 Southampton Row and the
junction with Theobald’s Road running 24 hours per day with two loading bays
available (10am - 1pm and 8pm - midnight)
- A bus, cycle and taxi lane southbound between the junction of Southampton Row
and Catton Street running 24 hours per day with no loading provision
- An extended eastbound bus, cycle and taxi lane from Vernon Place to 124
Theobalds Road. The bus, cycle and taxi lane will be 24 hours per day between
Vernon Place and the junction with Lamb’s Conduit
- A relocated Bus Stop X on Theobalds Road to the south of the junction to provide
even spacing between stops and to allow cyclists easy access to the segregated
cycle track
- A newly realigned and widened pedestrian crossing on Vernon Place
- A new left turn for cyclists from Southampton Row into Vernon Place
- Removal of the pedestrian guardrail
November 2021 - We ran a public consultation on further proposed changes at Southampton Row and Theobald’s Road junction to help make it safer for cycling with segregated cycle tracks, bus lane improvements and improved traffic lights for cyclists.
We had 229 responses and following the consultation made the decision to implement the proposed changes. We made some changes to the proposal based on comments you made in the consultation. This includes increasing loading bay size by a further 10m outside 112 to 110 Southampton Row and extending the loading times along Southampton Row (from 10am - 12pm, 8pm - midnight to 10am - 1pm, 8pm - midnight).
October 2021 - Following a tragic fatality, we made immediate temporary changes to the junction to reduce the risk for cycles. Read the decision report.