Bexley Council is considering an alternative route for a planned cycle network development due to concerns about the feasibility of meeting Transport for London's (TfL) Cycle Route Quality Criteria (CRQC) on Church Road. The proposed cycle network aims to connect Bexleyheath and Erith. Initial investigations and traffic modelling, detailed in the Road Issues report, suggest that achieving the required standards on Church Road would necessitate significant alterations to traffic flow due to spatial limitations and high traffic volumes.
As a result, the council is exploring an alternative alignment that would bypass Church Road, rerouting cyclists via Arnsberg Way and Long Lane. A high-level feasibility assessment was conducted on both options. The findings were presented at the Transport Users' Sub-Committee meeting on Thursday 16 October 2025.
The original alignment via Church Road presents challenges. According to the Road Issues report, achieving CRQC along Church Road would require major alterations to traffic movements. Previous traffic modelling showed restricting vehicles northbound or southbound on Church Road would increase congestion, especially along the Gravel Hill / Erith Road corridor. However, this route offers the benefit of connecting to Bexleyheath Rail Station and existing segregated cycling infrastructure along Albion Road, supporting further expansion of the cycling network.
The alternative alignment via Arnsberg Way and Long Lane offers a shorter and more direct route (1.55 miles vs 2.5 miles), following natural desire lines for cyclists and providing stronger connectivity into Bexleyheath Town Centre. However, the Long Lane bridge does not currently meet CRQC and would require significant engineering works and Network Rail approvals. Councillor Davey expressed concerns about parking on Long Lane and the potential impact on shops in the vicinity if the alternative route is implemented.
Feedback from Bexley Cycling (London Cycling Campaign) echoed similar concerns regarding the original alignment, suggesting the same alternative alignment.
The council recommends progressing with the alternative alignment based on its shorter distance, more natural cyclist desire line, and potential traffic impacts. Altering traffic flows along Church Road could cause significant disruption to Bexleyheath Town Centre and surrounding roads. The main drawback of the alternative route is its weaker strategic link to Bexley Rail Station and the uncertainty around funding to expand Long Lane bridge to meet TfL's CRQC.
The next steps include a decision on the alignment in October/November 2025, followed by design progression, a non-statutory public consultation, refined cost estimates, and completion of necessary tasks to progress through TfL's Stage Gate process between November 2025 and April 2026. The Road Issues report assures Hugo Pereira that there would be an opportunity for the cycling community to input their views, as part of the formal consultation process.
