Map of the proposal
COUNCIL TEXT
CCC RESPONSE
Kentish Town Town Centre Improvements
In this response, we will refer to the recent CRISP study on Link 27, then reiterate the safety improvements discussed. We will then respond to the elements of your proposal that are relevant to cycling and finish by answering some of the questions in the questionnaire.
Recent CRISP study on Link 27
CCC has already made clear its concern regarding the safety of cyclists in Kentish Town Road during the CRISP study on Link 27. In particular, at the meeting to discuss the draft CRISP report, Sam Monck presented the plans for the Kentish Town Centre improvements. He told us it will deal with many safety measures for pedestrians and cyclists at junctions, including Prince of Wales Road and Royal College Street and that the junction with Camden Street is regarded as an ongoing safety scheme. During that meeting CCC stressed the need to build out the corners at the Royal College Street and Camden Street junctions; and emphasised the importance of a 20 mph limit, particularly south of Prince of Wales Road.
Casualty statistics show that in Kentish Town high street, most of the incidents involving injury to cyclists are caused by dooring and moving out type of manoevres. But we were informed that there is no hope of moving the parking bays to the side roads. For this reason, CCC said they could not support having KTR on link 27 and that a western alternative should be used (Gordon House Road Mansfield Road, Grafton Road and Castlehaven Road).
But Brian Deagan (CCS) and Steve Cardno of the LCN+ unit stated that if LCN+ support were added to the plans for Town Centre improvements, better junction improvements might be possible (and work could be got going more quickly). CCC objected to sending new cyclists down KTR which all had admitted has a very high level of cycle casualties, but accept that it is heavily used by cyclists.
CCC therefore decided to accept the following compromise: that CCS should recommend both routes.We reiterated the advantages of the western route – quiet, safe, fast – it also takes in two North London Line Stations. It should be signed as LCN+ Kentish Town bypass. It can be implemented quite quickly; KTR will be signed as LCN+ only when improvements have been made. Although the final CRISP report has not yet been published, Brian Deagan assures us that this is what it will recommend.
Essential safety improvements for cycling:
The following list was made for the CRISP study:
Kentish Town Road /Camden St/Hawley Road junction
Cycists southbound on KTR are cut off by drivers turning left into Camden Street. The kerbs should be re-aligned to tighten the corner, so that the result is a normal right angle turn.
Kentish Town Road /Royal College St/Castle Road junction
Cyclists on RCS turning right into KTR are cut off by vehicles going across to Castle Road
Re-align ASL on RCS so that the rear part is perpendicular to the kerb, giving cyclists more headway.
This junction needs ASLs on both branches of KTR.
Northbound cyclists on KTR need central feeder to avoid problems with left turn lane.
Kentish Town Road /Prince of Wales Road junction
KTR northbound – need ASL and central feeder.
KTR southbound needs feeder.
PoW requires ASL and feeder.
Kentish Town Road/Leighton Road junction
Both ASLs on Kentish Town Road require feeders
Kentish Town Road/Highgate Road/Fortess Road junction
The kerbs should be re-aligned to make the corners tighter.
ASLs should be repositioned.
Proposed Project Elements
Junction of Castlehaven Road/Prince of Wales Road/Grafton Road
This is described in your project as completed. However, at the original consultation, CCC requested cyclists exclusion to the right turn ban at the top of Castehaven Road. We now reiterate its importance for cyclists on Castelehaven Road heading for the Crimean streets in KT.
New access from Arctic Street to Regis Road
This is very important for cyclists. Those that come from Leighton Road currently access the alternative route in Grafton Road via Holmes Road – requiring a hazardous right turn. A straight over crossing from Leighton Road into Regis Road would be much safer. We urge the council to continue with its efforts to make this possible. It is very unfortunate that the council missed the opportunity to gain access from Regis Road into Holmes Road when the corner site at 54-74 Holmes Road was redeveloped. CCC does not have time to study planning applications and was therefore unaware of this development until late in its progress.
Islip Street/Holmes Road
We very much appreciate the proposal to install new refuges to protect right turning cyclists. This manoeuvre is hazardous in both directions – cyclists in the central lane are squeezed between the two lanes of vehicles approaching from behind and from in front.
Site on bridge on north-west corner of Leighton Road junction
This is a useful site for cycle stands for the west side of the road.
Canopy by station
The new cycle stands are welcome and after a slow start are now being used a lot. The ones under cover are particularly welcome. However, installers should be aware that it should be possible to lock bikes to both sides of a stand. CCC would like to be consulted as to positioning of cycle stands when the improvements study takes place. For example, a long bank of parallel stands under cover might be a good idea.
Cycle stands
Potential sites are indicated at two junctions on the east side, where stands have recently been installed. It is essential to have some stands on the west side of the road. Possible locations were identified at a site meeting between Chris Nicola and Jean Dollimore. These included some on the east side as well as outside the post office.
Bartholomew Road Cycle bypass
This is something that CCC has requested in response to at least two consultations, most recently in December 1004 (Bartholomew Road-Bartholomew Villas). Please make sure that this is implemented without too much delay. Cyclists from the east use Bartholomew Road as a bypass to KTR and already make this manoeuvre for lack of any alternative.
Questionnaire
Q4. Improving road safety on the main stretch of Kentish Town Road Very important
Q5 What is your opinion about these general project elements?
Pedal cycle parking Very important
Q10 How easy is it to get to Kentish Town?
By Bicycle Easy
Q12 In terms of road safety, how safe does it feel to get around Kentish Town?
By Bicycle Unsafe
Q16 How would you rate traffic congestion in Kentish Town? Very Bad
