Open Street Map Cycle Map Location
Camden Council says that it proposes to improve road safety along Adelaide Road from the junction with Haverstock Hill to Winchester Road.
Click here to see the consultation leaflet.
They note that in the three year period up to December 2009, there were 39 recorded road collisions on Adelaide Road between Winchester Road and Haverstock Hill. (5 serious, 3 of which involved pedestrians and 34 slight injuries, with a number involving pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists).
The proposals include the following:
- Build speed cushions at locations where the road has been narrowed and pedestrian refuge islands introduced; this will help drivers reduce their speeds even further when approaching these islands where pedestrians might be waiting to cross. A 20mph limit is also proposed along this length to further emphasize the need to slow down. These speed cushions may be a disaster for cyclists
- Build new raised entry treatment at Eton Road at its junction with Adelaide Road. (there were six collision at this junction, one resulted in serious injury)
- Build out the kerb on Eton College Road at its junction with Adelaide Road.
- Extend the double yellow lines opposite Chalk Farm underground station and convert a section between the station entrance and the junction with Haverstock Hill from single yellow line to double yellow lines.
CCC’s response
Proposed 20 mph limit. We are pleased that you propose a 20 mph speed limit for the length of Adelaide Road. Lower speeds are good for pedestrians and cyclists. They not only makes roads safer, but also remove fear of travel. We believe that motorists who reject this proposal on grounds of losing time are misguided: 1 mile at 20 mph takes 3 minutes and at 30 mph takes 2 minutes. The distance along Adelaide Road is less than 1 mile and there are two sets of signals on the way.
Pedestrian refuge islands. We recognise that the existing road narrowings at the pedestrian refuge islands do reduce motor vehicle speed. The 3 metre gaps would conform to LCDS standards with a road speed of 20 mph.
Proposed Speed cushions. Unfortunately, speed cushions positioned on the approach to the road narrowings will have a harmful effect on the safety of cyclists. To be safe, cyclists must position themselves to ride through the centre of the gap between pedestrian refuge and kerb. We therefore object to this proposal. We would support any alternative proposal that would reduce motor vehicle speed, but not compromise safety of cyclists, for example, raised tables or even sinusoidal speed humps across the road.
Entry treatment at Eton Road. We support this proposal.
Kerb buildout on Eton College Road. We support this proposal.
Extension of double yellow lines near Chalk Farm Station. We support this proposal.
Result
Officer’s report accepted. The above entry treatments and yellow lines to be implemented
20 mph limit with signs and if feasible, electronic speed signs,
Defer speed cushions and monitor. Consider cushions or alternative if necessary.
