CC has been consulted by Camden Council on a proposal to introduce a 20 mph zone in the area north of Mansfield Road.
I suggest that we should support the proposal in principle: it is desired by local residents, is consistent with similar treatments in neighbouring areas, and the introduction of traffic calming in Agincourt and Constantine roads should be welcome. Presumably we are reasonably happy with Camden’s current design of humps and cushions, or is this an issue?
I will ask them to make sure that the signage is sensible, especially where the 20 mph zone meets the 20 mph limit in Mansfield Road – they have got this wrong before.
COUNCIL TEXT
As part of Camden Council’s policy to reduce accidents and provide a safer and more pleasant residential environment, the Council is proposing a 20mph Zone for the Mansfield Road Area. The proposed 20mph Zone would incorporate Constantine Road, Mackeson Road, Lisburne Road, Roderick Road, Shirlock Road, Courthope Road, Estelle Road, Rona Road, Savernake Road and parts of Cressy Road and Agincourt Road. A layout of the proposed Mansfield Road Area 20mph Zone is shown on the inside of this leaflet.
In November 2002, a consultation was undertaken by Camden with the local groups of the Gospel Oak area. As a result, the Gospel Oak Neighbourhood Local Streets & Transport Plan 2003-2006
was produced. The report discusses the results of the consultation and outlines the various requests for improvements to streets and traffic management in the area. The Mansfield Road Area 20mph Zone was one of the items identified for further investigation. It should be noted that all groups who responded to the consultation were in favour of 20mph Zones being considered for all residential streets.
Speed surveys have since been conducted on varous roads within the proposed 20mph Zone area. The results of these surveys showed that the majority of traffic travelled at speeds ranging from 21mph to 27mph, however speeds higher than 40mph were also recorded. Although the majority of vehicles travelled at speeds within the current 30mph speed limit, their speeds were higher than would be permitted in a 20mph Zone.
Govemment Regulations specify that a 20mph Zone must have physical traffic calming measums to ensure vehicular speeds are kept to 20mph and below, making the speed limit within the zone self enforcing
. An explanation of the varous traffic calming features proposed for the Mansfield Road area has been provided on the inside of this leaflet.
Please note that there will be no loss of or change to residential parking as a result of the implementation of the 20mph Zone.
Scheme Proposals
The traffic calming measures proposed for the Mansfield Road Area 20mph Zone are as follows:
– Speed cushions along Agincourt Road and a section of Constantine Road.
– Speed humps on the side roads between Constantine Road/Savernake Road and Agincourt Road/Mansfield Road
CCC’s response
Camden Cycling Campaign strongly supports the proposed scheme and especially welcomes the inclusion of Agincourt Rd in the 20 mph zone. Many cyclists cite this road as a nasty high speed corridor which feels like one of the borough’s most uncomfortable and hazardous roads.
We have some specific comments, as follows:
A. Speed Cushions
We are concerned about the introduction of speed cushions rather than humps on Constantine and Agincourt Roads. Speed cushions are not the preferred solution from our point of view as they are not effective against large vehicles and often cause motor vehicles to take lateral avoiding action, resulting in conflict with cyclists and other road users. This can result in the ‘pinching’ of cyclists between moving and parked vehicles. If cushions are required in order to satisfy bus and ambulance needs they must be carefully positioned to allow cyclists space and to prevent motorists taking avoiding action that threatens cyclists. The attached page shows some guidelines.
The consultation document states that the cushions will be placed in the centre of the road; hopefully this will meet the guidelines, but we request that officers specifically look at this design point.
B. Limits of Zone
We question why the lower section of Agincourt Road, outside Fleet Primary School, is not included. It would seem more natural to extend the zone to the junction with Mansfield Road. Similarly, we suggest that the 20 mph speed limit on Mansfield Road be extended to this junction and enforced.
C. Enforcement of 20 mph Limit
The existing 20 mph limit on Mansfield Road is blatantly ignored. We request that steps be taken to enforce this speed limit, either by the police, or by the use of speed cameras. We understand that the latter method has recently become legal in 20 mph limits.