Feature:Wellington Street/ Aldwych cars on pavement

Next in line

These pictures show cars unlawfully and dangerously flouting the rules and driving over the pavement, going through traffic lights against them and generally behaving unlawfully.

Following like sheep

Part of the problem seems to be that once one vehicle ignores the signs which, to be fair, do not include a NO ENTRY display at point of entry (and car-drivers appear normally to need repeat messages within 2-second intervals then others just behave like sheep.

Cyclists stop the rotters

The response of the cyclists who witnessed this (aside from the photographer) was to block and then explain clearly but unequivocally to the drivers what was wrong. This did not work well until a uniformed man appeared, a cycle-mounted para-medic; he did a great job of sorting it out.

Time Sunday evening 1900 ish, 26/9/04. At least three cars went through; no collisions. Many pedestrians astounded. The yellow VW depicted went through, so no need to hide the reg.no. The citroen did not go through.

If anyone can make the case to the appropriate people? (TfL or Westminster) I'll happily send full-pixel originals, and more than these on request. I have myself and spouse as witnesses, and a friend [blocking the yellow car] who would be glad to be flown over from Boston, to give evidence.

Response from Colin Wing, coordinator Westminster Cycling Campaign

Many thanks for the photos, which vividly illustrate the problem at this point.  I have forwarded them to Nigel Butterworth at Westminster City Hall.  Westminster is responsible for this piece of road, though the police are responsible for enforcing the relevant traffic order.  I have also forwarded the photos to Philip Benstead, who attends the police / community consultation committee and may be able to comment about the police's ability to enforce the traffic order. 

From time to time, someone has tried to do something about this problem by placing a cone in the middle of the cycle path.  This seems to work for a time.  I'm not sure who does this.

I agree with your comments about the drivers following each other like sheep.  It is also probably the case that the car in front obscures the cycle logo.  A no motor vehicles sign would certainly help, as well as a more prominent no through road sign higher up.   As you may have realised, this is a somewhat sensitive location.  For their part, Westminster councillors aren't too keen on the cycle logos (or any other marking) on their York paving slabs or on cyclists crossing the path of pedestrians.   For their part, cyclists would like to see a green surface, the ability to turn left from the Strand, less conflict with pedestrians and, of course, an elimination of illegal use by motor vehicles.

As you probably know, the road surface at the bottom of Wellington Street has fairly recently been re-laid as one of a number of small improvements to this route.  Westminster will probably say that there may be a further opportunity to do something in connection with a project in Covent Garden.  I would be surprised if they otherwise do anything here unless illegal use by motor vehicles results in casualties.