A dangerous road in Catford needs to be made safer after a cyclist was killed, according to Lewisham Cyclists and councillors.  

A lorry collided with a male cyclist on Catford Road, over Catford Bridge Station,  the day after someone else was seriously injured in the same spot in October. 

But a spokesperson for Transport for London, which is responsible for the road, said a consultation on improving road safety in Catford would not begin until next year.  

At a sustainable development committee meeting on Wednesday, discussing an update of the Lewisham cycling strategy, a representative of Lewisham Cyclists said pressure needs to be put on TfL to improve safety on the road.  

Brian Turpin said: “With the timing of the report coming out there was no mention of the tragic Catford Bridge fatality and of course that’s something that concerns all of us.” 

He said pressure on TfL and the authorities must continue “to help improve that junction”. 

“It’s actually listed as a dangerous junction in your own cycle strategy. 

“And I imagine in time the work in Catford town centre might extend to resolve that but I don’t think we should be waiting for that.  

 “So I’m really asking if you can remind colleagues on the council that that is pressure that we need to keep up with TfL to sort the bridge out as soon as we can – it’s an urgent problem. 

“Everything we’re doing is bringing more and more people cycling, but we need to protect them,” he added.   

Josh Learner, cycling and walking manager at the council, said the council “can’t really do it on a quick fix basis” and said it would be “unwise” to do it before realignment works. The road is due to be realigned with two cycle lanes introduced, but not for at least two years. 

But he added: “An engineer might see that differently. 

“If there was something we could do in the way of signage […] it’s a TfL road that’s the issue but we can lobby.” 

Committee member Cllr Louise Krupski said the council should not wait until the Catford masterplan works begin in 2021. 

Stuart Reid, TfL’s Director of Vision Zero, said: “Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the man who tragically died after a collision on Catford Bridge last month.  

“Any death or serious injury is totally unacceptable and we understand the impact this has on local communities.  

“This is why we’re working with Lewisham Council on proposals to reduce road danger in Catford and a public consultation on the plans will take place next year.  

“These plans are part of our wider Vision Zero approach to eliminating all death or serious injuries from London’s roads, which also include lowering traffic speeds, transforming dangerous junctions and removing the most dangerous lorries from London’s roads through our Direct Vision Standard.”