Open Street Map Cycle Map Location
These proposals apply to the area in LB Camden south of Euston road and West of Tottenham Court Road, as far as the Westminster boundary in Cleveland Street, the western end of Goodge Street, the southern end of Charlotte Street and Percy Street.
They propose a 20mph limit throughout the area with junction tables at Charlotte Street/Tottenham Street and at Whitfield Street/Grafton Street.
They propose two-way cycling in the entire length of the following streets:
– Fitzroy Street which is currently one way southbound between Fitzroy Square and Maple St;
– Whitfield Street which is currently 1-way southbound between Warren St and Howland St, 1-way northbound between Howland St and Tottenham St, 1-way southbound between Tottenham St and Goodge St
– Warren Street which is currently 1-way westbound. To stop rat running, there will be a stoppage in the middle, accessible only to cyclists or (option 2) the flow for motors will be reversed in two separate sections.
They propose to remove the traffic signals at the junctions of Fitzroy Street with Howland Street and maple Street.
In addition they propose an additional cycle hire station and some cycle parking.
Click here to see the consultation leaflet.
CCC’s response
Proposed Fitzrovia Area Improvements
This response to the consultation from Camden on the proposed Fitzrovia Area Improvements is from Camden Cycling Campaign, the local borough group of London Cycling Campaign (LCC). We have approximately 650 members and represent the interests of cyclists living or working in or travelling through the borough of Camden. We consulted our members by email on this issue and this response reflects the views of the membership.
We are very pleased to see these measures. In particular we welcome the introduction of a 20 mph zone (Proposal 10) and the contraflow cycling facilities (Proposals 4 and 9) though we wish there were more of them. We are also very pleased to see the on-street cycle parking facilities (Proposal 11). We have some detailed comments, listed below:
PROPOSAL 1: Charlotte Street/ Tottenham Street – Raised junction and replace railings with cycle stands.
We support this and we like the en-echelon stands.
PROPOSAL 2: Fitzroy Street/ Maple Street – Remove traffic signals
We support this though we have some slight concerns about whether cyclists will be vulnerable to turning vehicles. We think that this will be a small risk as long as the cycle lane is clearly marked through the junction as shown in the consultation document. Please can you make sure that the Give Way or Stop signs and road markings on the side streets are clear?
PROPOSAL 3: Fitzroy Street/ Howland Street/Charlotte Street – Remove traffic signals
We support this, though see comments on Proposal 2 above. Can the outside of the cycle lane be marked with a dashed line (as it is at present on Maple Street)?
PROPOSAL 4: Fitzroy Street– Cycle contra-flows on Fitzroy Street
We are very pleased to see this, which was discussed during our earlier meetings with Camden.
We believe that it would be better either to have a 0.5m buffer zone inside the contraflow lane as per LCDS (TfL’s London Cycling Design Standards), or to not mark the lane at all and use frequent cycle logos. A lane can encourage cyclists to cycle in the ‘door zone’ and also gives oncoming motorists the impression that they can take all the space up to the lane. Please make sure that the Give Way or Stop signs and road markings on the side streets are clear.
PROPOSAL 5: Warren Street – Reduce ‘rat-run’ on Warren Street
We support this measure with some reservations:
1. We are concerned about possible conflicts with pedestrians in the shared space in Option 1 and would suggest a simple road closure, i.e. one or other of the two barriers but not both.
2. We would strongly desire two-way cycling in the whole street; it is not clear that option 1 allows this but if it does then we prefer Option 1 as a simpler solution but either option is acceptable.
PROPOSAL 6: Whitfield Street / Grafton Way – Raised junction
We support this measure.
PROPOSAL 7: Whitfield Street (between Grafton Way and Maple Street) – Cycle Hire Station
We support this measure.
PROPOSAL 8: Whitfield Street – Widen the footway outside Fitzrovia Nursery opposite Chitty Street
We support this measure and would like plenty of stands (at least 50% more than currently ‘fly-parked’ cycles).
PROPOSAL 9: Whitfield Street – Cycle contra-flow
We strongly support this measure but see our comments regarding lane markings above. Cycle logos alone may be enough and allow the space to be ‘negotiated’ rather than demarcated in ways that may be less safe for cyclists.
PROPOSAL 10: Proposed 20 mph area
We strongly support this measure which we believe should be the default throughout Camden.
PROPOSAL 11: Fitzrovia – Cycle parking
We strongly support this measure especially as it replaces motor vehicle with cycle parking and we would like to see more of these on-street facilities. Our members have suggested that the stands might be set at a diagonal to make it easier to move cycles in and out on the presence of passing traffic, as in Proposal 1.
PROPOSAL 12: Warren Street – Car Club
We have no opinion on this.
We understand that you have had some concerns expressed by cyclists and others about the general safety of contraflow cycling. As you know, we are convinced that in conditions of low vehicle flows and 20 mph speeds as in these roads they are inherently safe, and sometimes safer than with-flow, as visibility between cyclist and oncoming drivers is very good. We are sure that statistics would back this up. Junctions can be a problem and if there are concerns, then it may be necessary to add some signage such as 962.1
Finally, we understand that our colleagues at Friends of the Earth are suggesting some additional changes to the streetscape and junction layouts. We are supportive of these measures which, we believe, will add to the public amenity and encourage drivers to drive considerately.
John Chamberlain
Camden Cycling Campaign
Results
For officer’s report follow:
http://democracy.camden.gov.uk/mgDecisionDetails.aspx?IId=9183&Opt=1
and then follow link from title.
Copies of Traffic Orders relating to some of the measures in Fitzrovia.
These include two-way cycling in the entire length of the Fitzroy Street and Whitfield Street which is very good news for cyclists.
they will removing the traffic signals at the junctions of Fitzroy Street with Howland Street and Maple Street.
Nothing yet about plans for Warren Street.
Implementation
March 2012, signals removed in Howland Street and Maple Street
Safety check at Howland and Maple Street where signals removed
27th March 2012.
