Elevated cycleways spanning suburban rail lines into central London have been proposed by a team including the renowned architect Norman Foster.

The SkyCycle network plans to provide 220km of safe, car free cycle routes into the capital. Over 200 access points would offer access to the network.

It is claimed that each route could accommodate 12,000 cyclists an hour and improve journey times by nearly half an hour for some riders. Almost six million people live within the catchment area of the proposed network and three million live and work within 10 minutes of an access point.

Development of the cycleway network would, its promotors say, relieve pressure on overcrowded rail lines into London. And by following the route of the railways – originally built for steam trains – they follow contours that tend to avoid steep gradients.

Lord Foster said: “To encourage a new generation of cyclists we have to make it safe. However the greatest barrier to segregating cars and cyclists is the physical constraint of London’s streets, where space is already at a premium. By using the corridors above suburban railways we could crete a world class network of car free cycle routes.”

Sam Martin of Exterior Architecture, which is helping to develop the concept alongside consultant Space Syntax, said: “We want to promote cycling as a serious commuting option. Capacity issues on the railways are real and as the capital’s population grows we feel this is a good way of getting people into central London.”

A Network Rail spokesman said: “We welcome the proposals and will continue to liaise with all involved as the aspiration for this innovative scheme develops.”

(Photo: Foster + Partners)

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