Camden Council proposes streetscape improvements together with measures including the following:
• Make footways wider.
• Remove the southbound cycle lane and integrate cyclists with other traffic.
• Allow cyclists to travel northbound from Bernard Street to Coram Street (which we argued for at previous consultation – what a waste of time)
• Build out the footway outside 49 Marchmont Street to provide an improved step-free access across Marchmont Street. This would not result in a loss in parking.
• Provide new cycle parking facilities on Marchmont Street where appropriate.
• Upgrade street lighting along Marchmont Street
There are two options for the footways and loading by the junction with Coram Street:
Option 1 – Widen the footway outside the Brunswick Centre, no loading allowed.
Option 2 – New footway area for pedestrians and loading.
Click here to see the consultation leaflet
CCC’s response
Two way cycling south of Coram Street
Camden Cycling Campaign welcomes the proposal to re-introduce two-way cycling south of the junction with Coram Street. That part of Marchmont Street was two-way before the changes in 2005, when we lost northbound cycling in spite of making very strong arguments for retaining such access.
Better permeability is one of the most effective (and cheapest) ways of improving conditions for cyclists, as it simplifies routes and shortens journeys.
We assume that appropriate signage will be used and that cycle logos will be deployed to indicate northbound cycling. We would be against the use of a contraflow cycle lane as it might encourage cyclists to go into the door zone.
People riding northbound from the cycle hire station may not know the way via Herbrand Street; we suggest a cycle direction sign indicating the way to Camden Town and Kings Cross at the junction with Coram Street and another by Herbrand Street. To emphasise the right to cycle northbound in Herbrand Street, a few cycle logos along the carriageway would be helpful.
20 mph speed limit
The introduction of a 20 mph speed limit will make any neighbourhood safer for pedestrians and cyclists. It is essential for Marchmont Street,
Removal of cycle lane and road narrowing north of Coram Street
If the road is narrowed, we support the removal of the cycle lane and integration of cyclists with the general traffic. Some cycle logos in the centre of the road would help cyclists to take the lane.
However, we have heard that some residents oppose the narrowing. If narrowing does not go ahead, we would like two-way cycling to be considered as an alternative. It would be more convenient/direct than going round via Herbrand Street for cyclists going on up to the Euston Road crossing or planning to travel east on Tavistock Place.
Shared surface (like Lamb’s Conduit Street)
We believe that this would have been an ideal solution for the street north of Coram Street and would like to see this as a long term aim, but recognise that the current budget may not cover it.
Cycle parking
We do not want to lose any cycle parking in Marchmont Street – in fact the re-engineering may open possibilities for more.
