Call for a 20mph limit on bridges

Speed limits could be introduced on London bridges following the death of a woman in a controversial cycle lane. Experts have also warned that cycle lanes across the capital need to be improved .

Vicki McCreery, 37, a senior physiotherapist at St Thomas' hospital, died last May while using the recently introduced cycle lane on Blackfriars Bridge - she was the second cyclist to die there in 15 months.

The design of the lane has been widely criticised for putting cyclists in danger from vehicles on either side.

The report for Transport for London was commissioned after Ms McCreery was hit by a bus as it pulled away from a stop and tried to change lanes.

The cycle lane is in the middle of the road and vehicles have to cut across it - it is barely 3ft wide - to head towards the city.

TfL is to consider introducing 20mph speed limits on bridges. The capital's transport body will also put together an action plan for cyclists by next month.

Since the introduction of the congestion charge, the popularity of cycling has surged by 23 per cent. But 19 cyclists died in 2003 on London's roads.