Campaigners have criticised Hackney Council's plans to introduce floating bus stops on Queensbridge Road, warning they are "frightening" and dangerous for disabled people. In November 2025, the council wrapped up its consultation on a scheme proposing new cycle lanes, traffic control measures, and the removal of 33 car parking spaces. An updated version, including bus stop bypasses intersected by cycle lanes, was signed off in July 2026.
Protester on hunger strike
John Thornton, a visually-impaired wheelchair user and Dalston resident, said the design puts residents like him in "mortal danger." He told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: "I can't see either side as I go down the [bus] ramp. Two and a half metres from the bus is a fast-moving cycle lane, with speeding e-bikes and scooters. They don't stop, so I'm wheeling straight down into fast-moving traffic."
Mr Thornton protested at the Town Hall on Wednesday, September 16, and told the council he was going on hunger strike until it changed course. He added that unlike previous projects, the council did not hold an accessible consultation event with disabled residents, particularly blind and visually-impaired residents, despite 70 per cent of disabled people rejecting the overall proposals last year.
Warnings of isolation
Sarah Leadbetter, also visually-impaired, said pedestrians cannot see or hear bikes as they ride through bus stops. "There's just no way to know when it's safe to cross. And we know the vast majority of people will not stop," she said.
Sarah Gayton from the National Federation of the Blind warned the "Russian Roulette" bus stop bypasses meant disabled people were being "designed out" of London. "I've had blind people in tears to me on the phone. There are blind people who have to take taxis or who don't bother going out to pubs and social activities. They're becoming much more isolated," she said.
Council defends proposals
The council's updated proposals justify the stops by pointing to measures such as cycle speed-activated warning signs, distinctive bypass paving, kerb upstands, and textured strips. The consultation report states they comply with Department for Transport volume guidelines. Mr Thornton accused Mayor Zoë Garbett of breaking manifesto promises on disabled access and consultation quality.
Cllr Jacob Cable, Cabinet Member for Climate, Clean Air, Energy and Transport, said he met with John and was writing to follow up. He said: "These changes are still at the proposal stage and no decision has been made. We [opened] a 21-day statutory public consultation this Friday (September 18)... We are legally bound to consider and respond to any objections we receive."
Mr Thornton has paused his hunger strike but said it would resume if floating bus stops came "back on the agenda." The consultation was due to go live on Friday, September 18, but as of 6pm it was not available on the council's website.
