January – March 2003 – Camden Cyclists

Traffic Management Schemes

proposed by Camden Council,
and Camden Cycling Campaign’s responses

Summary of Camden Traffic Management Proposals

For Januray – March 2003.

As we get as many as 5 traffic
management proposals or traffic orders each week, we have only listed
those which we consider to be particularly notable; we have omitted
minor schemes such as the provision of disabled parking bays, or the
conversion of a residential parking bay to a pay and display, unless
we believe it to be particularly contentious. Two dates preceed each
proposal listed here: the first is the date it was dispatched by
Camden Council or their consultants, and the second is the deadline
by which responses should be received.

The first section of this page covers asummary of the traffic management proposals. Our
detailed
consultation response
for the more significant of these
schemes follows further down this page. Unless entitled with another
organisation (eg ‘JMP Consultants’), these are consultations
undertaken directly by Camden Council. If you want a map of an area
below, try the
UK
Street Map web site.

Paul Gasson, Camden Cycling Campaign Coordinator.

14/3/03 & 21/3/03:
Kilburn – Local Streets &
Transport PlanThe council’s new area-wide approach to
delivering improvements to ‘traffic, highways and the streetscape’
is this time focussed on Kilburn. For the purposes of this
programme the area is bounded by Richborough Road, Shoot Up Hill,
Kilburn High Road, Greville Place, Boundary Road, Finchley Road,
Hilgrove Road, Belsize Road, Abbey Road, West End Lane, and the
rail line running to the south of Sumatra Road/Westbere
Road.

There is an extensive questionnaire which
includes:
- Where do we want more cycle parking stands?
- Where do you want to see cycle lane markings (ie painted lanes)?
- What other cycle facilities do you want?
- Do any streets have problems with too much traffic or too high speeds?
- Where are new pedestrian crossings needed?
The boundary chosen for this scheme seems less than ideal for area wide treatment. Unfortunately we only received this consultation a week before the deadline.

Our response is
here.
8/2/03 & 4/3/03:
Castlehaven Road Traffic CalmingThe council is planning to implement the
following traffic calming measures in Castlehaven Road (which runs
south from Prince of Wales Road to Hawley Road):
- speed tables across full junction for
  the following side roads: Clarence Way, Lewis Street &
  Castle Road.
- flat topped hump just to the south of
  Kelly St junction.
- new zebra crossing next on speed
  table just to north of Clarence Way junction.
- removal of existing traffic islands
  (pedestrian refuges) around Castle Road junction.
- new stop signs on Castle Road arms of
  junction (to ‘prevent motorists from over shooting
  junction’).
- some minor parking bay
  changes.
CCC’s response:

The Camden Cycling Campaign (CCC) is
pleased to be consulted about these proposals which we anticipate
will have a net beneficial impact for vulnerable road users such
as pedestrians & cyclists due to the speed reduction of motor
traffic.

CCC strongly recommends that as part of
this scheme a cycle gap be introduced at the point Kelly Street
meets Castlehaven Road. The Kelly Street road closure is one of
the few left in the borough which the council’s 2002 road
closure/cycle gap audit reported as having no gaps for cycles
(contact Natasha Brown for more details); the council is committed
in principle to improving access for cycles. We recommend that in
order to minimise the impact on pedestrians, the footway should
have a dropped kerb for cycles (ie cyclists effectively have a
flat topped hump to negotiate across the footway), rather than
lowering the pavement for pedestrians.

The consultation letter text implies that
the council will take this opportunity to remove what (at around 6
foot long) is possibly the UK’s shortest segregated cycle track in
Castlehaven Road (just to the south of the Castle Road junction).
CCC strongly supports the removal of this facility which we regard
as detrimental to cyclists safety (and which a national cycling
magazine lampooned some years ago).

We asked Aaron Banfield for details of
which pedestrian refuges were to be removed at the Castle Road
junction, but at the time of writing had yet to receive a
response. However irrespective of which are to go, we question the
justification for the removal of any refuges, as the removal of
any will increase dangers and reduce convenience for pedestrians
who wish to cross roads at this junction.

Finally, CCC regrets that the council has
not decided to take this opportunity to improve the unsatisfactory
junction with Hawley Road, which is difficult to negotiate for
some cycle manoeuvres involving access between the main
carriageway and the cycle track, and which is very inconvenient
for pedestrians.
7/2/03 & 19/2/03:
Grays Inn Road – new pedestrian
refuges & pavement buildoutsWork will be starting in ‘mid February’
on the following changes to Grays Inn Road between its junctions
with Acton St & Theobalds Rd/Clerkenwell Rd, ‘to reduce the
high numbers of speed related accidents involving pedestrians,
motorcycles, pedal cycles and overtaking vehicles’.

Measures include:
- A new pedestrian refuge island
  outside 171 Grays Inn Road
- A new pedestrian refuge island
  outside 157 to 163 Grays Inn Road
- A new pedestrian refuge island
  outside 200 Grays Inn Road
- Entry treatment at the junction of
  Coley Street and Grays Inn Road
- Relocation of zebra crossing outside
  65/67 to outside 65/63 to avoid the tree adjacent to
  65/67
- Entry treatment at the junction of
  Northington Street and Grays Inn Road
A phase II of the scheme involving
pavement buildouts at unspecified locations is planned for 2003/4.
No plans were sent out as part of this consultation.

CCC’s response:

The Camden Cycling Campaign (CCC) is very
concerned about the Grays Inn Road local safety scheme
proposals.

Whilst we appreciate that the central
pedestrian refuge measures should improve safety for pedestrians,
we disagree with the assertion made in the consultation text that
accidents will be reduced for cyclists. This is a highly unlikely
outcome unless cyclists are put off using this road &
displaced onto other streets.

We believe that the new road narrowings
(past the refuges) will lead to ‘pinching’ of cyclists by motor
vehicles trying to overtake cyclists on the approach to or at
these new refuges. Our concerns are heightened by the increased
traffic speeds within the new congestion charging zone, and the
consequential increase in risks to cyclists.

A cycle audit should have been undertaken
(we understand that this is a requirement in Camden for all new
proposals). What were the conclusions of this audit?

We requested a set of plans so that we
could review carriageway widths, and the impact of parked cars,
but these have failed to arrive. We are therefore unable to be
more specific about our concerns or offer any suggested measures
which would help offset our worries about cyclist safety.

We are also concerned about the ‘fast
track’ consulation process being deployed for this scheme. The
lack of detailed information (eg what were the casualty statistics
by mode for this stretch of road) and short
consultation/implementation timescales means that there is a much
higher risk that this safety scheme could actually deliver an
increased rate of casualties.

We therefore have little option but to
formally object to these proposals on the grounds that on the
information we currently have this scheme will increase cycle
casualties.

We are sorry that CCC is unable to be
more constructive at this point, but welcome any further
information on this scheme so that we can reply with more
supportive suggestions.
31/1/03 & 28/2/03:
Albany Street puffin crossing
& bus laneThe scheme includes the following
measures in Albany Street
- conversion of existing zebra crossing
  to a Puffin* crossing next to the Chester Gate junction
- a southbound bus lane (7am – 7pm) for
  part of Albany Street
- several pavement buildouts on the
  eastern side of the road
- a new island mid way between Chester
  Gate & Robert Street to split the right turn lanes.
*Puffin crossing: a push button
signalled crossing with a detector which stops the lights going
green for vehicles until all pedestrians are off the
road.

Albany Street is a London Cycle Network
route, so I am keen to see the cycle audit which should be
conducted on these proposals.

CCC’s response:

We do not support the zebra to puffin
conversion. We do support the Bus lane and waiting and loading
changes.

The bus lane will be of benefit for
southbound cyclists, but reduces road width for northbound
traffic. Furthermore the pavement buildouts & the island to
split the right turn lanes further reduce carriageway width.
Depending on the road widths left from the above measures, there
may be greater hazards for cyclists. Please advise what measures
have been taken to audit the impact of this scheme on
cyclists?

We are further concerned about the
protection & allocation of road space to the right turn into
Chester Gate, as this may serve to facilitate post-congestion
charging rat running.

Finally, as you know the Campaign’s
membership has developed an interest in pedestrian issues, and
therefore wishes to make the following points on behalf of those
on foot.

The decision to convert the zebra to a
Puffin crossing is likely to be much less convenient for most
pedestrian users as they have to wait to cross. Such a measure is
appropriate only if children, elderly people and people with
disabilities represent an exceptionally high proportion of all
pedestrian users.

The use of staggered pedestrian crossing
with guardrailing is not a pedestrian friendly measure, as it
requires to pedestrians to wait in metal ‘cage’ in the middle of
the road for a second set of signals to change in their
favour.
20/11/02 & 20/1/03:
Holborn Local Streets &
Transport PlanAs with the Gospel Oak scheme below, the
council is also trying the new area-wide approach to delivering
improvements to ‘traffic, highways and the streetscape’ for the
Holborn area bounded approximately by Guilford St, Farringdon
Road, High Holborn, and Southampton Row.
- There is an extensive questionnaire –
  some of the key questions include:
- Do any streets have problems with too
  much traffic or too high speeds?
- Where do we want more cycle parking
  stands?
- Where do you want to see cycle lane
  markings (ie painted lanes)?
- What other cycle facilities do you
  want?
- Where are new pedestrian crossings
  needed?
- Locations for more trees?
- Locations which would be a good spot
  for social/recreation areas – sitting, chatting, enjoying the
  sunshine?
Our response is
here.
20/11/02 & 20/12/02:
Gospel Oak Neighbourhood – Local
Streets & Transport PlanThe council is trying a new area-wide
approach to delivering improvements to ‘traffic, highways and the
streetscape’ for the Gospel Oak area bounded approximately by
Chalk Farm Rd, Haverstock Hill, Agincourt Rd, Mansfield Rd,
Grafton Road Price of Wales Rd, Kentish Town Road, and Camden Town
tube station.

What is this consultation
about?

“Camden is intending to develop a new
approach to spending on transport and streets in the borough. We
are looking at particular areas, including yours, as shown on the
map on the front cover. This has been generally named the ‘Gospel
Oak Neighbourhood Management Area’. We want to put together a
programme delivering real improvements across the area. We need to
know from you what your priorities are for the area. We will
analyse all the responses and look at how we can achieve what
local residents and businesses want.

The information gathered from this
consultation will be used to put together a programme of schemes
for the area. However, each scheme will then have its own
consultation process, taking place when funding has been
secured.”

There is an extensive questionnaire –
some of the key questions include:
- Do any streets have problems with too
  much traffic or too high speeds?
- Where are new pedestrian crossings
  needed?
- Locations for more trees?
- Locations which would be a good spot
  for social/recreation areas – sitting, chatting, enjoying the
  sunshine?
CCC is the only organisation mentioned in
the questionnaire – it states that the council wants to work with
CCC to develop better cycle routes and parking, and asks:
- Where do we want more cycle parking
  stands?
- Where do you want to see cycle lane
  markings (ie painted lanes)?
- What other cycle facilities do you
  want?
Our response is
here.

Campaign
Responses to Consultations since 2000
- Kilburn
  Local Streets & Transport
  Plan:
  24/3/03
- Holborn
  Local Streets & Transport
  Plan:
  19/1/03
- Gospel
  Oak Local Area Streets & Transport
  Plan:
  4/1/03
Kilburn
Local Streets & Transport Plan

24/3/03

B2. Streets with too much or too fast
traffic.
- Maygrove Road
- Iverson Road
- Broadhurst Gardens (humps not frequent
  enough).
- Belsize Road (perceived by cyclists as
  very hazardous so many avoid it)
D1 Cycle parking

More cycle parking locations are required
here:
- Cycle parking outside Sainsburys in
  Kilburn High Road as the guard railings have recently been
  removed. Note that there is plenty of pavement space for further
  cycle parking on the Brent side of the road opposite.
- Minimum of 2 parking stands for each
  block of Kilburn High Road with shops.
- Minimum of 2 parking stands for each
  block of West End Lane with shops.
D2. Cycle lane markings in the
area

Markings should be applied for all cycle
routes through the area (as marked on the council’s cycle map
publication) which do not have any specific measures, cycle logos are
marked on the road surface.

Note that cycle logos must NOT be placed
abutting to motor vehicle parking bays (as it encourages cyclists to
pass too close to parked car doors); instead they should be placed
with no less than a 1m gap between the bay marking and the inside
edge of the cycle logo.

CCC can provide a list of roads fitting
above criteria if required.

D3. Other measures to encourage
cycling.

1. Allow cyclists to turn right from
Compayne Gardens to West End Lane.

2. Allow cyclists to turn right from Belsize
Road to Kilburn High Road

3. There are two narrow roads with parking
on both sides where cars get stuck behind cyclists a lot of the time
– Broadhurst Gardens and Belsize Road. How about signs explaining to
motorists that cyclists are in the middle of the road to avoid being
hit by car doors?

4. Consider cycle contraflow lane or two way
segregated facility to allow cyclists to travel from Hillgrove Road
to Adelaide Road without going all the way round the Swiss Cottage
gyratory. See

5. Provide cycle contraflows in the one way
sections of Priory Road, or make Priory Road between Belsize Road and
Abbey Road two way with a plug to prevent through motor
traffic.

6. Provide cycle link from Belsize Road into
Finchley Road (alongside the quiet blocked-off section by the tube
station entrance); this would greatly enhance the value of the
Finchley Road/Eton Avenue cycle track.

Other ideas

How to encourage more walking & cycling?

Please review the cycle and pedestrian
audits for road closures, signalled junctions and one way streets for
each street in the Kilburn area (this exercise was managed by Natasha
Brown and completed Jan 2002). There are many very good ideas
here.

Paul Gasson, Camden Cycling
Campaign Coordinator

Holborn
Local Streets & Transport Plan

19/1/03

Key elements of Camden Cycling
Campaign response to questionnaire

B2. Streets with too much or too fast
traffic.
- Lambs Conduit Street: too much traffic,
  and almost all of it (illegal) through traffic.
- Guilford St: too much traffic, which at
  off peak times often travels too fast for conditions
D1 Cycle parking

More cycle parking locations are required
here:
- Minimum of 2 parking stands for each
  block of Theobalds with shops. The section of Theobalds Road
  between Drake St and Lamb’s Conduit St is particularly in need of
  cycle parking.
- Minimum of 2 parking stands for each
  block of Clerkenwell Road with shops.
- Minimum of 2 parking stands for each
  block of High Holborn with shops.
- Bikefix, 48 Lambs Conduit Street, WC1.
- Red Lion Square outside Conway
  Hall.
D2: Cycle lane markings in the
area:

Markings should be applied for all cycle
routes through the area (as marked on the council’s cycle map
publication) which do not have any specific measures, cycle logos are
marked on the road surface.

Note that cycle logos must NOT be placed
abutting to motor vehicle parking bays (as it encourages cyclists to
pass too close to parked car doors); instead they should be placed
with no less than a 0.75m gap between the bay marking and the inside
edge of the cycle logo.

CCC can provide a list of roads fitting
above criteria if required.

D3. Other measures to encourage
cycling.

1. Cycle route connecting passage between
Queen Square & Guilford St – at present used by cyclists
illegally or pushing their bikes. This would allow connecting from
Lambs Conduit via Gt Ormond St. If the one way on Herbrand St was
changed to include a northbound cycle route that could provide a nice
East-West up to 7 stations route at Tavistock Place.

2. Segregated pedestrian/cycle track along
Great Turnstile (this is marked as an LCN route on Camden Council’s
cycle route map). Currently cyclists are instructed to “dismount”,
yet a number of judges frequently cycle down this alleyway. This
route should be signposted from Lincolns Inn Fields, High Holborn
& Red Lion Street.

3. Cyclists travelling eastwards along
Guilford Street (LCN route) experience difficulties turning right
into Lambs Conduit Street. We suggest that green surfacing, cycle
logos and advisory cycle lane markings could be used on the
carriageway on the left hand side, with a shallow (ie 5-10 degree)
diagonal cycle lane marked across the carriageway to an advisory or
mandatory cycle lane in the centre of Guilford Street on the approach
to the right turn into Lambs Conduit Street. This centre of the road
lane would ideally terminate opposite Lambs Conduit Street with a
traffic island and bollard.

4. Cyclists travelling westwards along
Guilford Street (LCN route) also experience difficulties turning
right into Lansdowne Terrace (where there are many near misses with
cyclists). We suggest a similar solution to the Lambs Conduit Street
turn above, although it is likely to be necessary to remove a few
parking bays in Guilford Street just to the west of the junction to
retain sufficient carriageway space. Ideally this junction would be
signalled, with an advance stop line.

5. Partly due to the encouragement of
cycling by the National Hospital in Queen’s Square, there is clear
demand for a cycle route which link Queen’s Square to Guilford Street
(via the wide pedestrian link between the 2 roads), and on to Hunter
Street. An eastbound contraflow cycle lane would then be required in
Guilford Street as far as the Greville Street junction, followed by a
northbound contraflow in Greville Street. Bother of these contraflows
would require the removal of some parking bays to free up road width
and reduce the risk of cyclists running into opening cars doors.
Consideration also needs to be given to facilities for cycling
between Queen’s Square and Theobalds Road.

6. Enforce widely flouted ‘except for
access’ restrictions in Lambs Conduit Street as cyclists are at risk
from motorists speeding through; also improve cycle facilities which
make it tricky for cyclists to travel along the street in safety if
vehicles are using it. The best option would be a physical closure
either at one end, or in the middle; then much of the obstructive
street furniture could be removed.

7. Procter Street WC1 – there are lanes on
each side signposted for buses, taxis and cycles but on the road the
markings are for buses only. It is commonplace to be hustled by bus
drivers coming up close behind. There should be cycle markings on the
lanes to conform with the signposts.

8. The cycling contra-flow on Lambs Conduit
Street is heavily trafficked by cyclists, but few seem to use the
entry points as designed (because they’re awkward for one thing, but
large bits of rubbish are also frequently placed there). We
understand that their purpose may be to discourage motorbikes from
entering the street, but they are difficult to negotiate and all they
really do is funnel cyclists into the oncoming path of cars. We
recommend a review of this aspect of the scheme to see how they can
be made more cycle-friendly. Signage needs to be improved to ensure
that oncoming motorists understand that contraflow cycling is
allowed; motorists (and even police officers) have told cyclists that
they are not permitted to travel south along the street.

9. The illegal through use of Lambs Conduit
St by large numbers of northbound motor vehicles (including the
police when not on emergency calls) is a substantial deterrent to use
by cyclists of this strategically important cycle route. We recommend
clearer signage so that all motor vehicle users understand that they
are not permitted to use this as a through route Note: Local police
do not appear to appreciate that they are not supposed to drive
through unless on emergency calls &endash if they disobey the
restrictions why should other motorists heed them?

10. Improve Southampton Row/Theobalds Road
junction to permit northbound cyclists in Southampton Row to turn
right into Theobalds Road. Reason is that current route via
Southampton Place & Vernon Place is circuitous and dangerous for
cyclists (due to need to cross heavy & often aggressive traffic
streams).

11. Liaise with Islington Council to get
junction of Clerkenwell Rd with Farringdon Rd made more cycle
friendly (there have been 2 cyclist deaths here in recent years). In
particular complete cycle track through junction and across bridge
(bridge section currently closed). Current temporary arrangement is
dangerous as guardrailing blocks eastbound junction exit opposite
cycle track and cyclists unfamiliar with area collide with this
barrier.

12. Improve Queen’s Square area permeability
for cyclists via a shared pavement scheme along Cosmo Place (between
Queens Square & Southampton Row); consider incorporation of a
cycle crossing at/adjacent mto the current pedestrian crossing in
Southampton Row.

13. The Theobalds Road/Grays Inn
Road/Roseberry Avenue junction is dangerous for eastbound cyclists
crossing the junction to travel along Clerkenwell Road. The problem
is eastbound motor traffic in the outside lane cutting across
cyclists’ path in order to turn left into Roseberry Avenue. This
hazard is exacerbated by the bus lane as it causes motorists to be
positioned in the lane to the right of cyclists. This junction must
be reviewed for potential cycle-friendly improvements.

E Walking & ‘Living Streets’:
potential for more social/recreational areas?
- Red Lion Square
- Lambs Conduit St (traffic calmed
  section)
- Lambs Conduit St/Guilford St junction.
  Potential for road space on southern side of junction to be
  returned to pavement area, especially if one arm of junction was
  closed to motor traffic.
- John Street – carriageway is
  unnecessarily wide so there is potential to return some of it to
  pedestrian use.
Other suggestions

How to encourage more walking &
cycling?

Please review the cycle and pedestrian
audits for road closures, signalled junctions and one way streets for
each street in the Holborn area (this exercise was managed by Natasha
Brown and completed Jan 2002). There are many very good ideas
here.

Paul Gasson, Camden Cycling
Campaign Coordinator

Gospel
Oak Local Area Streets & Transport Plan

4/1/03

Key elements of Camden Cycling
Campaign response to questionnaire

B2. Streets with too much or too fast
traffic.

The following have inappropriately high
traffic speeds: Prince of Wales Road, Parkhill Road, Mansfield Road,
Grafton Road (speed cushions are ineffective), Fleet Road, Agincourt
Road, Harmood Street, Clarence Way, Hawley Road, Castlehaven Road
(between Hawley Road & Prince of Wales Road), Castlehaven
Road/Hawley Road (ie the whole section between Chalk Farm Road &
Kentish Town Road), Queens Crescent (particularly hazardous between
Malden Road & Grafton Road junctions), Grafton Terrace (plans for
cushions as part of 20mph zone scheme will not slow traffic
adequately).

C4d. How to make local bus services
better – ‘other issues’
- Enforce new bus lane which is being
  widely flouted in Haverstock Hill (southbound lane, just north of
  Adelaide Road junction).
- Improved training for drivers so that
  they treat passengers like customers, and don’t try to drive their
  vehicles like formula one racing cars (hard
  braking/acceleration).
- Provide suitable support for those
  drivers who are experiencing serious frustration/anger with
  difficult passengers or road conditions.
- Review pressures on drivers caused by
  inappropriate performance requirements from privatised bus
  companies; do not award bus service contracts to companies which
  have a poor record in this respect.
- Introduce scheme with regular monitoring
  of driver behaviour, with a ‘3 counts and you are out’ system
  applied to those who fail to improve.
D1b. More cycle parking
- Outside the following cycle shops
  - Camden Bikes: 3 Camden Road, NW1.
  - Chamberlines: 71 Kentish Town Rd,
    NW1.
  - Simpsons Cycles: 116 Malden Road,
    NW5.
  - Cycle Surgery Camden: 44 Chalk Farm
    Rd, NW1.
- Queens Crescent Market at the western
  end of the market (near to Malden Road junction).
- Kentish Town Swimming Pool, adjacent to
  Grafton Road entrance. More cycle parking is required than is
  currently present. Should also convert existing ‘butterfly’ design
  (which only hold front wheel so are very insecure) to standard
  sheffield rack design.
- In Chalk Farm Road in vicinity of Camden
  Lock Market (eg near the optician’s on the corner of Hawley Road)
  and Stables Market. The complete absence of cycle parking
  provision for visitors to the market is a major issue.
- At the Royal Free Hospital – the absence
  of any facilities should be a major embarrassment for the Council
  and Health Authority.
- Malden Road pavement buildout to south
  of St Dominics bus stop
- Outside Belsize Park Underground station
  on Housing’s side road adjacent to Russell’s Nurseries (as
  suggested by Cllr. Harrison in 1999).
- On the opposite side of the road to the
  Stags Head, Hawley Road (as suggested by Cllr. Harrison in
  1999).
D2. Cycle lane markings in the
area

All cycle routes through the area (as marked
on the council’s cycle map publication) which do not have any
specific measures, cycle logos are marked on the road surface.

Note that cycle logos must NOT be placed
abutting to motor vehicle parking bays (as it encourages cyclists to
pass too close to parked car doors); instead they should be placed
with no less than a 0.75m gap between the bay marking and the inside
edge of the cycle logo.

CCC can provide a list of roads fitting
above criteria if required.

D3. Other measures to encourage
cycling.
- The absence of any cycle route through
  the Lismore Circus area was a major oversight during the
  refurbishment of the area. We propose a cycle route from
  Haverstock Road passing the end of Wellesley Road through to the
  east side of the Circus by the hairdressers, joining up to the
  nameless road which runs between Lamble St and the Mansfield Rd
  pedestrian crossing.
- Introduce cycle gaps in the following
  road closures:
  - Kelly Street/Castlehaven Road
  - Wilkin Street
- Add cycle contraflow lane or no-entry
  plug to short one way section of Inkerman Road (at Grafton Road)
  junction. This would give a good east/west route through from
  Prince of Wales Road/Queens Crescent via Wilkin Street.
- Cycle logos required on south side of
  the useful cycle gap for the Hadley St/Castle Road road closure
  (to deter vehicles from parking & blocking the gap). Cobbles
  on south side of closure present a 1.5″ edge which cyclists have
  to ‘bunny hop’ over onto an uneven surface; these should be
  lowered to max. 0.5″ lip. Cyclists regularly use the dropped kerb
  30 metres to the east & cycle along the pavement to reach this
  gap, rather than risk breaking spokes negotiating this kerb.
- Malden Road (St. Dominics/Shaw Corner)
  width restriction with cycle bypasses. Motor traffic is slowed by
  around 20% to 30 mph by the width restriction, but the 1% of
  cyclists who use the bypass are slowed by at least 50% to around 5
  mph due to the tight turns required upon entry and egress. The
  solution is simple: cut the kerb buildouts back by around a metre,
  and reduce the kerbline angles. Work to realign kerbline for the
  cycle bypass entrance and exits to the width restriction still
  only 30% complete, despite many site visits and the involvement of
  Cllr. Gerry Harrison since CCC first raised issue in March 1997.
  CCC can provide further background detail and clear design
  requirements if necessary.
- Hawley Road. St Pancras bollard required
  at eastern end of segregating island in Hawley Road at is junction
  with Kentish Town Road, as delivery vehicles for the pub reverse
  back across the junction and park over the island, thus blocking
  the segregated cycle track. This is neither safe for cyclists who
  are forced on to the main carriageway, nor pedestrians who
  encounter the reversing lorry. Cycle logos are also required on
  track surface.
- Complete the shared pedestrian/cycle
  path between Regis Road & Spring place which has been half
  completed for 2 years, and has recently been closed off by a
  locked gate. The work required includes completing legal
  negotiations between the various land-owning parties, and
  installing street lighting and surfacing.
- Many people don’t cycle as they have
  nowhere secure to store a bike, either due to small flat, or being
  unable to carry the bike up one or more flights of stairs. We
  suggest that Camden pilots an innovative scheme for free or
  low-cost bike parking, perhaps using one of the Housing
  Department’s many unused underground garages.
- Housing Department has no policy on
  cycle parking; in fact it has had a programme of clearing communal
  stairwells of bicycles. This means that few council tenants will
  be able to use a bicycle to travel around Camden, yet the Housing
  Dept provides garages for car parking.
- We propose that Camden end this
  inter-departmental policy anomaly by introducing secure cycle
  parking facilities for all of its blocks. Initially this would be
  easiest to achieve where the council currently has garages one or
  more of which could be converted to secure cycle parking. The
  Gospel Oak area is ideal for such a pilot scheme.
- High profile advertising campaign for
  Camden Council’s excellent cycle training programme.
E2. New pedestrian crossings

Zebra crossings required:
- Prince of Wales Road somewhere between
  the Crogsland Road & Queens Crescent junctions (need to
  establish where highest pedestrian desire line is).
- Parkhill Road adjacent to the Tasker
  Road junction
E5. Signage required for
pedestrians?
- Talacre Park & sports centre
- Queens Crescent market (eg from
  Southampton Road via Lismore Circus)
- Regis Road recycling centre (via Spring
  Place route)
E8. Potential social/recreational
areas.
- Outside St Dominics church in vicinity
  of bus stop at Malden Road / Southampton Road jct.
- Ashdown Crescent at either of its
  junctions with Queens Crescent. Could put a road closure somewhere
  along Ashdown Crescent as through vehicle access seems to be
  unnecessary.
- Queens Crescent at its junction with
  Prince of Wales Road.
- Wilkin Street in vicinity of Talacre
  Park entrance.
- Rhyl St (as already being investigated
  by council).
Other ideas

How to encourage more walking &
cycling
- Please review the cycle and pedestrian
  audits for road closures, signalled junctions and one way streets
  for each street in the Gospel Oak area (this exercise was managed
  by Natasha Brown and completed Jan 2002). There are many very good
  ideas here.
How to encourage more walking.
- Gilden Crescent. This street has two
  crossovers (opposite one another) without dropped kerbs (How did
  this happen as pavements were recently relaid and I thought that
  dropped kerbs were automatically provided now?). The southern
  crossover is no longer required, so it should be removed.
- Gilden Crescent. The southern section of
  pavement next to the ‘fire access’ zig-zag markings is parked on
  by vans and 4WD vehicles. One bollard in the middle of the widened
  section of pavements should be sufficient to put a stop to this
  practice.
- Malden Road/Malden Place road closure.
  Road surface from Malden Road into closure is badly pitted leading
  to trip hazard for pedestrians. Despite double yellow lines
  drivers visiting off licence and Indian takeaway often park nose
  into closure thus forcing pedestrians to walk in the
  carriageway.
- This section of ‘dead’ carriageway
  should be turned into standard raised footway (with a fairly steep
  ramp from pavement to road to discourage pavement parking),
- Progress proposals (championed by Cllr.
  Gerry Harrison) for a new cycle/walking link between Lismore
  Circus and Kentish Town, alongside the railway.
Paul Gasson, Camden Cycling
Campaign Coordinator

Traffic Management Schemes

proposed by Camden Council, and Camden Cycling Campaign’s responses

Summary of Camden Traffic Management Proposals

Campaign Responses to Consultations since 2000

Kilburn Local Streets & Transport Plan

Holborn Local Streets & Transport Plan

Gospel Oak Local Area Streets & Transport Plan

proposed by Camden Council,
and Camden Cycling Campaign’s responses

Campaign
Responses to Consultations since 2000

Kilburn
Local Streets & Transport Plan

Holborn
Local Streets & Transport Plan

Gospel
Oak Local Area Streets & Transport Plan