Petition calls for Blackfriars Bridge to remain closed to vehicular traffic
Global News
The city blocked vehicular access to the bridge in April of 2020 in a bid to provide pedestrians and cyclists proper physical distancing amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Hundreds of people have signed their name to an online petition calling on city hall to keep London’s historic Blackfriars Bridge closed to vehicular traffic for the foreseeable future.
The city blocked vehicular access to the bridge in April of 2020 in a bid to provide pedestrians and cyclists proper physical distancing amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The bridge is set to be reopened to eastbound vehicle traffic on Nov. 8 for the first time in more than a year and a half.
While the move may come as a positive for drivers looking for an alternate way into the downtown core, local active transportation advocates argue the bridge has flourished during the pandemic as a popular way for pedestrians, runners and cyclists to cross the river while utilizing the entire bridge as opposed to a single walkway and painted-on bike lane.
“It’s been a great way to enjoy a historic bridge, a heritage asset for the city, up close. Being able to walk on the deck of the bridge is really wonderful as compared to getting squeezed to the sides while cars whiz pass,” said Chris DeGroot, who started the petition.
Just over 500 people had signed the petition as of Monday afternoon, and DeGroot said he had received positive feedback both through the petition’s comment section and through social media.
“A lot of people would be excited to have a link between the Blackfriars neighbourhood and downtown, (and) a link between the path systems on both sides of the river,” he said.
“Specifically one that is safe and is easily passible for kids (and) people of all ages and abilities who are riding a bike, (who) maybe find it very uncomfortable to cross the bridge with cars going past.”
Motorists have been barred from using the bridge for 18 months, longer than they were able to use it following its multi-million-dollar restoration.
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