The seven stations link cycle route to the east of Grays Inn Road goes along Ampton Street. The eastern end of Ampton Street is closed off with a pedestrian square, which the cycle route passes through.
This proposal is for a design in which cyclist and pedestrians can safely coexist in the square. It suggests separate paths for cyclists and pedestrians with measures to reduce the speed of cyclists.
The scheme also includes a raised table at the junction with Ampton Place.
Click here to see the consultation leaflet
CCC’s response
On behalf of Camden Cycling Campaign, I would like to say that we are very pleased that this very important element of the work for the Seven Stations Link is at last to be implemented. It is now about eight years since the route was proposed.
We have some suggestions for improvements to the design:
- Our members tell us that a twisty path looks silly or seems over-engineered and we tend to agree that the curves are not a good idea. The humps should be enough to reduce speeds of downhill cyclists. We suggest that you retain the curve at the eastern end but keep the middle section of the path straight. There is no pedestrian access through the fence, so this should not lead to any conflicts. To improve the link with the eastern end of Ampton Street, the cycle track should curve away from the boundary fence. Our idea is shown by the purple lines on the figure below.
- The design in the consultation document will cause conflict between cyclists in opposing directions and pedestrians at the western end of the new track. This is because it does not not make it clear how cyclists will progress between the eastern end of Ampton Street and the proposed cycle track via the tactile paving. We understand from Yetunde Owoyemi that the detail design will include kerbs on both sides of the cycle lane up to the carriageway on Ampton Street (across the pavement) with dropped kerbs for pedestrians. For this reason, there should be no give way for westbound cyclists – the track continuing as far as the road. Nor should there be a give way for eastbound cyclists.
- Middle section of Ampton Street. There is no need for a cycle lane on the north side. There should just be a short lead-in to the cycle track across the pavement. – We understand from Yetunde Owoyemi that the diagonal parking is to remain but will be reduced.
- We are concerned that cyclists should be prevented from switching to/from the pedestrian path, for example to avoid the humps. This could be done either by vertical separation (with kerns) or by means of bollards, trees, etc. as hinted in the drawing.
- We understand the need to reduce the speed of downhill cyclists for the sake of pedestrians crossing the cycle track. However, we request that the humps should be of a minimum height and sinusoidal in profile. Downhill cyclists will not want to attain great speeds because they need to turn right at Cubitt Street.
- Junction with Cubitt Street. A raised table and priority for the cycle route would also be an improvement. Can this be incorporated either in the current design or after the CRISP study?
Finally we hope to be able to discuss the detailed design with officers before it is implemented.
