Although the proposals were related to the introduction of bendy buses, they do seem to me to be an improvement on the current situation. – not that the Kings Cross gyratory will even be a great place to cycle.
BUCHANAN’S TEXT
King’s Cross proposals
We have been asked by Transport for London (Street Management Services, North Central Area Team) to review the King’s Cross Gyratory to address issues related to the introduction of articulated buses and to look at accident remedial measures around the gyratory.
We have now completed this review and invite comments on the proposals. It is proposed:
- to build out the footway on southern side of Gray’s Inn Road immediately east of Birkenhead Street to improve the safety of the westbound traffic merge at this corner and improve pedestrian safety at this busy crossing point;
- to introduce advance cycle stop lines at the traffic signals;
- in Gray’s Inn Road, to extend slightly the bus stop cage marking by 4 metres to improve entry into the bus stop at the loading bay end, but also to offset this by moving the start of the existing loading bay by 6 metres. The net effect of this is an increase in loading bay length of 2 metres. The hours of operation would not change and all other loading facilities are retained as existing;
- to modify the island at the end of the existing contra-flow bus lane to accommodate articulated buses;
- to reduce the eastbound cartiageway ofPentonville Road from three narrow lanes to two lanes with a 1.5m wide cycle lane and widened footway;
. to relocate the bus stop from outside 256 Pentonville Road to a location east of Northdown Street (LB Islington).
CCC’s response
We feel that the proposals are a considerable improvement over the current situation. In particular, we welcome the introduction of the ASLs and the reduction to two vehicle lanes and the introduction of a cycle lane in Pentoniville Road.
However, we have a number of criticisms and suggestions for improvement, as follows:
Junction at north west end of Grays Inn Road.
The design of this junction does not cater for cyclists planning to travel northwards up York Way. It would be safer for less-confident cyclists to stay in the left side bus lane until they reach the ASL. We therefore suggest linking the two ASLs – not by making a giant 4-lane ASL, but by allowing cyclists to wait on the right side of the Euston Road ASL until the traffic stops and then cycle across into the York Road ASL. Even with our suggested linking of the two ASLs the proposed very short central central feeder lane is needed for cyclists who take the right lane further back.
ASL feeder lanes should be as long as the maximum expected traffic queue. The two feeder lanes for the Grays Inn Road ASL are both very short. Would it be possible to lengthen both of them? We realise that the position of the bus stop cage may affect the possibility of much lengthening of the one leading to Euston Road.
The ASL for the Euston road traffic is not perpendicular to the kerb. If it were to be made perpendicular, the linking of the two ASLs might be easier to achieve.
Junction at east end of Euston Road
Provisions should be made for cyclists crossing the junction into the proposed cycle lane in Pentonville Road. The shape of the ASL indicates that this move has been considered. However, it would be much safer to have a marked cycle lane across this junction, or failing this, an ASL right across the junction to allow cyclists to get ahead of traffic going straight on.
The feeder lane associated with the ASL for York way should be much longer – ideally there should be a cycle lane along this side of Euston Road past the two stations.
Pentonville Road Cycle Lane.
The cycle lane should start right back on the corner of York Way, outside number 304. If not, it will be driven in.
The contraflow bus lane on the south side of the section of Pentonville Road east of Kings Cross Bridge should be marked as Cycles and Buses.
King’s Cross Bridge cycle lane
There should be a marked cycle lane with an associated ASL at Gray’s Inn Road junction.
York Way cycle lane
There should be a cycle lane going into York Way to link up with the existing cycle lane further north.
York Way left turn ‘except buses’
Your diagram appears to suggest that only buses can turn left into York Way from Euston Road. If this is the case, cyclists should also be allowed to turn left here.
Grays Inn Road ASL opposite St Chad’s Place.*
This ASL requires a feeder lane. We feel that allowing the bus stop to override the feeder lane and part of the ASL will make it impossible for cyclists to use the ASL effectively if buses are in the lane. Would it be possible to move the bus stop further back?
Grays Inn Road contraflow cycle lane
We understand that there is a policy to install contraflow cycle lanes in all one way streets. This is an opportunity to install a contraflow cycle lane going south from Kings Cross Bridge to Acton Street where the road becomes two-way.
Gyratory versus two-way working
We understand from what the mayor has said that there is now a move to take out gyratory systems. We therefore wonder whether Transport for London asked Buchanans to consider reverting to two-way working at this junction. This gyratory system, like any other, results in a useless triangle of land in the middle. Does Camden Council have any plans for its use? This apparently redundant space might make it possible to re-introduce two-way working and easier traffic movements for all concerned.
