Open Street Map Cycle Map Location
Camden Council proposes the following measures:
– a new raised table with a zebra crossing on Savernake Road for the pupils of Gospel Oak School.
-build-out the footway on either side and opposite the primary school gate entrance to provide additional footway space
– provide cycle stands on the east side of the footway close to the primary schools main gate
– remove the pedestrian guardrail on both sides of Savernake Road between the junction with Mansfield Road and the primary school entrance; and also outside the nursery school entrance except for a small section where the children come out.
Click here to see the consultation leaflet.
CCC’s response
This response to the consultation from Camden on the proposal for measures in Savernake Road at Gospel Oak School is from Camden Cycling Campaign, the local borough group of London Cycling Campaign (LCC). We have over 600 members and represent the interests of cyclists living or working in the borough of Camden. We consulted our members by email on this issue and this response reflects the views of the membership.
We are in favour of the raised table with a zebra crossing on Savernake Road outside Gospel Oak School. Although Savernake Road is in a 20 mph zone, drivers do tend to rush round the corner towards the junction with Mansfield Road. Both table and zebra should help with traffic calming.
The consultation doesn’t mention the materials for constructing the table. Cyclists are concerned that setts or pavers should not be used as they soon become uneven or have large gaps, which can be unpleasant for cycling. For example, see our photo of Sidmouth Street. For the same reason we support the replacement of the blocks with asphalt surfacing.
We object to the provision of two additional residents parking bays. More parking will give the impression that car usage is being encouraged, which is different from what we understand to be Camden’s policy. In addition, cycling east along Savernake Road is a bit like running a gauntlet because with the parking on both sides there is almost nowhere for vehicles to pass a cycle and some drivers become unpleasant about it – even though the speed bumps mean they can’t really gain any time over a bike rider.
We are strongly in favour of the removal of guardrail. A corridor of guardrails like that at the end of Savernake Road is a threat to cyclists: it leavse no escape route when a motor vehicle comes too close.
We see that the footway build-outs will not create a pinch point since they do not project in from the general line of the road. We therefore agree with them.
We are pleased to see the proposal to provide cycle stands on the east side of the footway close to the primary schools main gate.
Please would you acknowledge receipt of this response; if you prefer a written submission please let me know. We would be very happy to discuss any aspect of our response.
