East London cyclists. Pic: Sludge G

Transport for London will hold a public consultation on plans to build a new cycle superhighway, linking parts of Hackney to the City, before the end of the year.

Construction could begin as early as June 2015 if the plans are approved, with work being completed in April 2016.

The proposed Cycle Superhighway One, dubbed CS1, will run from Northumberland Park, down the A10 through Stoke Newington and Dalston and continue into the City.

The news comes just weeks after Hackney was revealed to have one of the highest rates in London of hit-and-run crime involving cyclists. This data was collected by the Green Party, which can be read about here.

Rosie Downes, Campaigns Manager at London Cycling Campaign, said: “For people considering taking up cycling, safety concerns are by far the most significant deterrent. If implemented to a high quality, cycle superhighways and other infrastructures designed to provide safe space for cycling can unlock a huge amount of suppressed demand.”

“As London’s population increases, more people choosing cycling over other congested modes of travel will be essential to keep London moving. But it’s critical that this and other schemes are delivered to best practice design standards, with direct and well-connected routes, safe junctions without extra delays and high quality protected space on main roads.”

“We’ll be looking very closely at these plans with local cyclists and speaking to Transport for London about any concerns we have.”

This is Hackney’s second proposed improvement to cyclist safety in recent weeks after plans for a redeveloped Old Street Roundabout were met by mixed reviews by cyclist groups, which can be read about here.