I suggest that we should support this scheme. Traffic calming is badly needed on this dangerous road and the raised Zebras should not be a problem. If the Rippleprint goes in, they will leave a 1.5m gap for cylists north- and south-bound. Parking is prohibited in this stretch, so this should be sufficient.
The pavement build-outs for South Hill Park at the junction with South End Road should not be a problem, and are in any case unlikely to be installed because of objections from residents concerned at loss of parking.
COUNCIL TEXT
East Heath Road/South End Road located in Hampstead is a two-way traffic road running between Heath Street and Pond Street. The northern section of this road is bounded by Hampstead Heath on the east side whilst the west side has a few residential properties fronting it. The southern section of this road is predominately commercial with shops and restaurants located by Hampstead Heath overground station. The Heath provides a great leisure facility in the heart of Hampstead and due to its location near a residential area, East Heath Road is frequently used for crossing by pedestrians, including the elderly and families with children. The road seems to be congested with slow moving traffic during peak times, however, speeding is a problem during other hours.
As part of Camden Council’s policy to reduce accidents involving personal injury, it is proposed to improve road safety along this road through the introduction of a series of accident remedial measures designed to reduce the number and severity of accidents.
Accidents:
During a 3 year period up to February 2004 there were 13 recorded accidents with 18 casualties, in East Heath Road and South End Road.
• One fatal, two serious, and ten slight accidents.
• The one fatal accident occurred close to the Zebra crossing near Downshire Hill.
• The two serious accidents occurred at the junction of Well Walk
• Of the eighteen casualties, five were pedestrians and one a cyclist.
Council Officers investigated the cause/location of the accidents in order to arrive at a series of proposals, which were drawn up in agreement with the Ward Councillors. It should be noted that the initial proposals also included the construction of speed cushions (vertical traffic calming measure) along the whole stretch of the road. These were proposed, as they are an effective measure in slowing down cars whilst allowing ambulances to straddle them especially in light of the Royal Free Hospital being located on Pond Street, which the Ambulance crews access via East Heath Road/South End Road.
Discussions with the London Ambulance Service has however resulted in us reconsidering our proposals due to valid concerns raised by them for the health of critically ill patients that they are transferring to the Royal Free Hospital. The hospital is a specialist neurological centre; hence ambulances from all areas of North London travel through East Heath Road/South End Road to access the hospital when transferring patients with serious head injury.
The proposals shown in detail inside this leaflet have been agreed with the London Ambulance Service. The Council would be pleased to hear your views on these proposals and details on how to respond to this consultation are given on the back page.
Proposed Improvements in East Heath Road and South End Road
Please refer to the diagram for an overview of the proposals. The descriptions and photos below are to assist you in completing the questionnaire. Please note that the proposals may have to be amended following detail design.
Raised Zebra Crossings
• Conversion of the pedestrian refuge Island near junction with Squire’s Mount
• Conversion of the existing Zebra crossing near junction with Well Walk
• Conversion of the existing Zebra crossing near junction with Downshire Hill
Kerb Build-outs
Junction of South Hill Park with South End Road
CCC’s response
Camden Cycling Campaign support the measures, provided that the Rippleprint incorporates a 1.5m kerbside gap at each side for cyclists.
We ask the council to go further and impose a 20 mph speed restriction on East Heath Road, enforced by cameras as is now permitted by law, and/or close East Heath Road to through traffic.
Question 1:
Do you agree with the proposed new Zebra crossing on East Heath Road near to its junction with Squire’s Mount? (Currently pedestrian refuge islands. YES
Question 1a:
If answered yes to Question 1, then do you prefer the new Zebra crossing to be raised (on platform) or flush (normal)? RAISED
Question 2:
Do you agree with the proposed raising of the existing Zebra crossing on East Heath Road near to its junction with Well Walk? YES
Question 3:
Do you agree with the proposed raising of the existing Zebra crossing on East Heath Road near to its junction with Downshire Hill? YES
Question 4:
Do you agree with the proposed kerb build-outs (pavement widening) at South Hill Park at its junction with South End Road? YES
