Open Street Map Cycle Map Location
LB Camden proposes two-way cycling in the following roads in West Hampstead:
• Priory Road,
• Canfield Gdns,
• Greencroft Gdns,
• Sheriff Rd,
• Messina Ave,
• Gascony Ave
• Fairhazel Gdns,
• Smyrna Rd
• Kingsgate Place
These schemes will be implemented using signs and carriageway markings only.
Click here to see the consultation leaflet.
CCC’s response
Dear Costa,
Thank you for inviting Camden Cycling Campaign to comment on the Council’s proposals to improve permeability for cyclists in the West Hampstead area. These proposals address long-standing needs expressed by cyclists for better routes through this area, needs which have been discussed by our members over many years now, in our meetings, during inspections of the area and in e-mail newsgroup discussions. These improvements will (i) enable cyclists to avoid having to make round-about journeys as a result of the current proliferation of one-way roads in the area, and (ii) provide very useful routes for cyclists to by-pass congested and awkward roads and junctions in the area (especially West End Lane / Abbey Road).
As you know, our only disappointment is the failure to recommend contraflow cycling along the short stretch of Broadhurst Gardens between Priory Road and West End Lane, which would greatly facilitate the use of Priory Road as an alternative to West End Lane. However, we recognize that it will be possible to use Compayne Gardens westbound instead. That said, we would still argue that more needs to be done to faciliate cyclists’ journeys along (or in parallel to) West End Lane, particularly with the new student accommodation planned for Blackburn Road, which will no doubt encourage more cyclists onto the local roads.
We approve of the proposal to implement these improvements using minimal engineering, but trust that the signage and markings will give on-coming motorists and others suitable notice of the likelihood of meeting contraflow cyclists. This will be particularly important on those roads where motorists and others will be making sharp turns into or along affected roads (e.g. both the junction of Gascony Avenue and Smyrna Avenue and on Smyrna Avenue itself; similarly on Kingsgate Place).