Rosebery Avenue/Clerkenwell Road/Theobalds Road/Grays Inn Road
Bus Route 38 and local safety proposals
Click here to see the consultation Map
We have already been consulted on a scheme for this junction in September 2004. The details of that consultation can be seen at:
Grays Inn Road 2004
After considerable effort by Camden officer Maria Georgiou and CCC, a reasonable solution was produced for this very busy junction.
Unfortunately, the heavy demands of the Bus Route 38 scheme were not taken into account at that stage. This new proposal which allows for Bus Route 38 is better than Camden’s original attempt but is unfortunately inferior to Maria Georgiou’s design.
In particular
- a third vehicle lane has been introduced in Clerkenwell Road westbound, leaving no room for a feeder lane;
- new banned left turn from Rosebery into Clerkenwell (DD says can’t have cyclist exemption because ped crossing is in way)
- there is no feeder lane in Clerkenwell Road eastbound leading to the ASL at Rosebery Avenue;
- there is no cycle lane marking across the entry to Rosebery Avenue (DD says it would give cyclists a false sense of security);
- ASL for Rosebery Avenue Westbound is at wrong angle (DD says he will correct that) and it has no feeder.
- Clerkenwell Road westbound at junction with Rosebery Avenue, no feeder
- Grays Inn Road southbound. No feeder lane.
Do we consider that an ASL without a feeder is better tham no ASL?
CCC’s response
A general point about the current scheme is that it provides considerably less benefit to cyclists than the design drawn up by Maria Georgiou, following the consultation in September 2004 (which we will refer to as the original design). We understand that the new scheme is constrained by the demands of traffic flow through the junction. Although we accept the importance of bus movements, we believe that it is regrettable that the demands of other vehicles are considered more important than the safety and convenience of cyclists.
We will respond to this consultation by dealing with each issue in turn, going from west to east:
Theobalds Road: The feeder lane for eastbound cyclists should extend back past Kings Mews as far as the bus stop.
Grays Inn Road south of junction: The proposed 1.5 m feeder lane for northbound cyclists from the bus stop will be useful for allowing cyclists to reach the ASL box.
Grays Inn Road north of junction: We understand that the turning movements of northbound HGVs into this road has two unfortunate implications: i) the pedestrian crossing must be north of the desire line and ii) the central island cannot be moved west to allow for a feeder lane for southbound cyclists.
Clerkenwell Road westbound at junction of Grays Inn Road:
We object to the insertion of the third vehicle lane. However, we accept that in its presence, it is not possible to have a feeder lane as well 3 x 2.8 m vehicle lanes.
We understand that vehicles other than buses and cycles in the left lane must turn left and that all vehicles in the middle lane must go straight on. It is essential for the safety of cyclists that these rules are enforced.
Clerkenwell Road junction with Rosebery Avenue:
For eastbound cyclists approaching Rosebery Avenue: as discussed, the ASL box should be replaced by a generous (e.g. 1.8 m) mandatory cycle lane and a single general vehicle lane.
For eastbound cyclists continuing on Clerkenwell Road to the west of the yellow box junction: as discussed, the ASL box should be replaced by a mandatory cycle lane and a single general vehicle lane.
The original design showed a cycle lane across Rosebery Avenue, which would indicate to drivers that cyclists are going straight on. We understand that this has been rejected by Atkins on safety grounds, but we request that this should be discussed with the LCN+ team who agreed the original design.
Rosebery Avenue southwestbound at junction with Clerkenwell Road:
The drawing shows the ASL box at an oblique angle with the road, so that vehicles on the off side may feel tempted to overtake cyclists in the ASL. It should be straight across the road as in the original design.
The bus lane should extend as far as the ASL box.
Cyclists should be given exemption to the banned left turn into Clerkenwell Road, possibly with a signal and stop line in front of the pedestrian crossing over Clerkenwell Road.
Clerkenwell Road eastbound beyond the junction of Rosebery Avenue:
The short length of cycle lane should be omitted. It is a bad idea to suggest that cyclists should move over to the left after passing the pedestrian crossing.
Clerkenwell Road westbound at junction with Rosebery Avenue
The current proposal shows no feeder lane to the ASL. We understand that there is no room for an adequate one with 2 x 2.8 m general vehicle lanes. Please check whether the removal of the cycle lane on the other side of the road might allow the central island to move north to make space for a feeder lane here.
