A new contraflow system has been introduced in Roehampton High Street to allow cyclists to ride in both directions.

People riding bicycles can now travel either way along the one-way street, from its junction with Dover House Road to Roehampton Lane.

The decision to introduce a cycling contraflow came after what the council described as a positive response to a public consultation and successful pilot schemes in other parts of the borough.

The route will form part of Transport for London’s Quietway 21 (Q21) which links Wandsworth Common to Teddington.

Additional signage and carriageway markings have been introduced along with a mandatory cycle lane on the approach to Roehampton Lane.

Transport spokesman Cllr Jonathan Cook said: “This scheme is part of a wider package of measures to encourage people to take to two wheeled travel. There are clear and obvious health and air quality benefits if we can get more residents to take up this non-polluting form of transport.

“Introducing convenient short-cuts for cyclists on quieter roads with low traffic volumes is just one of the ways we are encouraging higher levels of bike travel in the borough.”