CCC heard from Laurie Baker at the WCRSAG meeting in September 2006 that TfL have commissioned Buchanans to look into cycling strategy for access to the stations from all directions (e.g. Copenhagen street, canal, Brill Place, Camley Street). CCC complained that they had not asked for input from CCC – Laurie promised to ask them to contact us. Report was being written by Fraser Reid, but he has now left Buchanans.
Then a little later in October Laurie told CCC that the report was now to be prepared by Philip Loy, which pleased us immensely. We provided Philip with the following background material:
CCC points concerning access to the Kings Cross area
and
Annotated map of KX Area
The former was based on several years work by the CCC Kings Cross Team (John Chamberlain, Anne Boston and James Brander) and the latter was produced by John Chamberlain to illustrate our submissions to Camden Council regarding the Argent project.
We received the first draft of Philip Loy’s report before the meeting and its
Action Plan
We felt that the report was excellent, but were very concerned that the action plan contained no detail as to what was to be done to each of the listed locations.
Meeting at Camden Town Hall on 13 Dec 2006
Present: Laurie Baker (Camden Council Kings Cross Team, Philip Loy (Buchanans), Dave Stewart (Camden Council cycling officer), Steve Cardno and Brian Deagan (LCN+ unit), John Lee (TfL CCE), Rebecca Strachan (Islington Council cycling officer), Alison Dynes (ICAG coordinator), Anne Boston and Jean Dollimore (CCC).
Purpose to review the first draft of the report.
Issues discussed
- Canal PL had invited Waterways Rep, who declined to attend. Enthusiasm for more ramp access. AD raised problem of over-use. JL said TfL would put money into widening towpaths.
- North-South routes: JL said that Route 6 can’t take all the traffic, Midland Road is more direct and Pancras Road not convenient.(See below). It was agreed that York Way and Caledonian Road should both be improved.
- Pancras Road although it is good that there will be permeability for cyclists, this will not be a convenient through route. AB stressed the number of pedestrians milling around between the stations.
- Midland Road JL supports two-way cycling; CCC stressed the essential requirement to go north from the new Thameslink Station to Brill Place. LB agreed that when buses move to Pancras Road (2010-11) it may be possible to fit in contraflow cycling. Looks feasible as part of 5 year plan.
- Goods Way is an essential E-W link. LB confirmed that this is Argent work, but that they will have to get detailed approval (2Q07). Concern from CCC and DS about being consulted.
- KX Gyratory should recommend a return to two-way working + links from Pentonville Road to Caledonian Road. Problems with one-way in Wharfedale Road.
- New E-W link north of Euston Rd e.g. to link with Copenhagen Street. AB and LB described a route through the Argent lands and over the canal. DS said the CRISP on Link 29 could study this route.
- Link beneath St Pancras Station Brill Place westwards. PL had not understood this point. AB stressed the importance of this link. But LB said it was not feasible as it is used by buses.
- Tram There was some discussion about the tram and which route it would take. AB said we weren’t happy about sharing the boulevard with tram, buses and taxis, and also pointed out the Boulevard would be heaving with pedestrians crossing between stations, cabs and so forth. We stressed the need for dedicated cycle paths. Response was negative.
Next Actions
PL to produce an improved version of his report to take into account today’s discussion, in particular the long-term aspirations for routes in the area. JL to specify the details for this next step.
John Lee was very insistent on through traffic; AB stressed by contrast that there would be a lot of people going into the KX site (what are 4000 odd cycle stands for otherwise) and LB concurred.
To present it at WCRSAG on 23 Jan 2006.
Comment
AB and JD felt that there is still a worry about the lack of specification of detail for each improvement. But were encouraged by JL’s commitment to a long-term cycle plan that could include two-way cycling on Midland Road.
