The council is planning to create a modestly sized landscaped area with
trees and seating at the road closure in Queen’s Crescent (ie at the
junction with Prince of Wales Road).
In order to make optimal use of the space for pedestrians, the best location
for the cycle track through the closure seems to be on the east (Kentish
Town) side.
[Putting the track in the middle cuts the area in two, and putting it on the
west (Haverstock Hill) side eats up a lot of space due to the angle the
track would follow.]
One question I have is should the pedestrian refuge in Prince of Wales Road
be moved (as suggested on the plan) so that it is opposite the cycle track
entrance. Whilst moving it would provide better protection for cyclists who
had to wait in the middle of the road, I think the current location is OK
and avoids the risk of pedestrian/cyclist conflict.
Paul Gasson
- S. Brian Monaghan & myself have been involved on behalf of CCC in the
development of this scheme (and a couple of others in this area) for well
over a year, so we have had plenty of opportunity to ensure that cyclists
needs have been heard.
COUNCIL TEXT
Gospel Oak Open Space Proposal- Queens Crescent
junction with Prince of Wales Road
Camden Council has been consulting local people within the Gospel Oak Neighbourhood Management Area, asking for ideas and concems about the area. Residents expressed an interest in trying to improve the local street environment by creating new / improved open spaces, that are safer and more pleasant to walk and cycle through. Initial consultations were carried out in 2003 and the results led to 4 possible locations being identified.
These locations are:
- Queens Crescent junction with Prince of Wales Road
– Rhyl Street
– Talacre Road junction with Athlone Street and Rhyl Street .
– Marsden Street junction with Malden Road
We intend to consult on all of these. This consultation is about the first location only
A local steering group was set up to consider designs for the schemes and raise concems on behalf of residents and local organisations.The steering group settled on 2 possible designs for Queens Crescent / Prince of Wales Road Open Space that are enclosed.
Queens Crescent junction with Prince of Wales Road is the first Open Space Scheme to be consulted on. If approved by locals / residents, the scheme will go before the council and if agreed, work will be likely to start by the end of this year (2OO4).
Please take the time to review the scheme details and choose the one you prefer or let us know whether you object to all proposals on the questionnaire sheet provided.
CCC’s response
Camden Cycling Campaign is pleased to have the opportunity to respond to this consultation which involves improvements near to the site of the recently restored cycle gap at the closure of Queens Crescent to Prince of Wales Road.
We support Option A, because it provides optimal use of the space for pedestrians.
Putting the cycle track in the middle cuts the area in two, and putting it on the west (Haverstock Hill) side eats up a lot of space due to the angle the track would follow.
Concerning the possible moving of the pedestrian refuge in Prince of Wales Road so that it is opposite the cycle track entrance: whilst moving it would provide better protection for cyclists who had to wait in the middle of the road, we believe that the current location is alright and avoids the risk of pedestrian/cyclist conflict.
Question: We support Option A.
