COUNCIL TEXT
The following details each individual proposal for the Streets for People – West End Green Social Space scheme.
Proposal 1
It is proposed that the 8 recycling bins around the trees and shrub
beds on the pavement outside numbers 264 to 270 West End Lane are reduced to 6 and relocated to the pavement area around the public toilets.
At the same time it is proposed that the existing large Cheshire paper recycling bins are removed and the Oxfam clothes bank and book bank are relocated to Fortune Green a few hundred meters away. (Please note that there is an Oxfam shop 80 metres away at 248 West End Lane where clothes and books can be deposited). This will also involve removing some of the shrub bed and seat next to the public toilets to make space for the relocated bins as illustrated in the pictures.
The collection service will be increased to a daily collection to accommodate the reduction in recycling bins. The area around the recycling bins will be regularly cleaned and any problems should be
reported to Camden’s Recycling Service on telephone number 020 7974 6914.
Proposal 2
Reduce shrub beds and install new seating outside 264 to 270 West End Lane
It is proposed that the 2 shrub beds without trees in them are removed to open this area up and to make room for 4 new seats. Please note that this will require the implementation of proposal 1.
Proposal 3
Realign pedestrian crossing
The existing dropped kerb pedestrian crossing between the area of pavement outside 256 to 280 West End Lane and the public toilets currently passes through a loading bay, which is unsatisfactory. It is proposed to realign this crossing away from the loading bay and onto a more natural desire line for pedestrians. This will also involve some adjustment to the kerb line.
Proposal 4
Realign Bus Stop
It is proposed that the existing bus stop out side number 258 to 260 West End Lane is realigned. This will enable buses to pull up inline with kerb for disabled access, which is difficult at present. This proposal will also act as a bus priority measure because it will be easier for the bus to pull away, into the flow of traffic.
Proposal 5
Relay and upgrade pavement
It is proposed that the area between 258 and 280 West End Lane is relayed with Camden Boulevard standard reinforced concrete paving.
Boulevard paving is a high specification paving built using thicker slabs and a concrete sub base. It is designed to withstand high-pressure washing using purpose built machines.
It is also proposed that the area on the island is left in the existing historical materials (red bricks) but with the damaged and untidy areas repaired.
Proposal 6
Plant 2 additional ornamental trees
It proposed to plant 2 additional ornamental trees on the pavement outside 256 to 280 West End Lane.
Ornamental trees are trees that do not grow too large (5 to 10 metres high depending on the species). As with all the proposals the trees are subject to detailed design, which will involve digging test pits to determine
whether the tree will be obstructed by underground services etc.
CCC’s response
We agree with all the proposals. The only ones of concern to us as cyclists are #3 and #4, as these involve the road space. Both we think will improve conditions for cyclists (marginally), so long as it is possible (as the diagram for #4 indicates) for cyclists to pass buses stopped as the realigned bus stop.
Questions:
Do you agree with each of the proposals 1-6?