Female cyclist in hospital after lorry crash on Battersea Bridge - one year after jogger killed in same spot

A female cyclist has been left with life-changing injuries after lorry crash on Battersea Bridge, exactly a year after a jogger was killed at the “unsafe” junction.

Police were called at 8.14am on Thursday morning to reports of a lorry hitting a cyclist at the junction with Beaufort Street.

Officers attended along with London Ambulance Service and London’s Air Ambulance and the woman was taken to hospital.

Police said the woman, in her 30s, suffered life-changing injuries and remains in hospital.

Scotland Yard said that the driver of the lorry stopped at the scene.

Officers have now appealed for any witnesses to the collision to come forward.

The crash occurred exactly a year after the death of 29-year-old Jack Ryan, who was struck by an oncoming Range Rover at the dangerous junction.

The marketing manager was out jogging when the incident occurred.

Following a petition of over 25,000 signatures in the aftermath of his death, Transport for London made some safety improvements to the junction, adding a signalled pedestrian crossing and a lower speed limit of 20 miles per hour.

However local campaign groups have said that this isn’t enough.

Justin Abbott, chairperson for Better Streets for Kensington and Chelsea said that the borough is the only one in London without any protected bike lanes.

“For decades this particular junction and also other junctions in Chelsea Embankment itself have been known to be unsafe,” Mr Abbott told LondonWorld.

“They’re unsafe for all vulnerable road users, so that includes both pedestrians and people on bikes and of course wheelchair users and others.

Although action by Transport for London has been taken following Jack Ryan’s death, Abbott believes that not enough is being done to improve safety for cyclists in the area.

“Cycle safety schemes have been blocked on Chelsea Embankment, the cycle safety scheme was taken out on Kensington High Street and the scheme at Notting Hill Gate was also blocked,” he said.

“In our view there is a lack of commitment from Kensington and Chelsea council to address safety for those on bicycles.”

Ownership of the roads and junctions in the area are split between the council and Transport for London.

This particular junction is owned by TfL.

Cllr Johnny Thalassites, cabinet member from Kensington and Chelsea council said: “This is an unbelievably tragic incident and my thoughts are with the individual and their family.

“I’m sorry to see an incident here so soon after measures have been taken by TfL to improve safety on Battersea Bridge.

“The police are still determining the details of exactly what happened but we will work with TfL if there are further actions we can support them with to make the junction safe for everyone.”

Any witnesses to the cyclist crash are asked to call police on 101 quoting CAD 1391/13Jan.