The award was for a series of area-based schemes to enable two-way cycling in one way streets.
See report on LCC website.
Just for the record, the following is the case that we made in support of our nomination.
Background
In Camden, many complex networks of one-way streets have been created in order to prevent rat-running through residential areas. Examples of such streets are Whitfield Street in Fitzrovia and Priory Road in West Hampstead which consist of a series of one-way sections in alternating diections. Camden Council has recognised that cyclists need to be able to ride through a network of streets in the most direct manner.
They have adopted a policy of introducing cycling improvements including two-way cycling in one way streets as an integrated component in their schemes to improve priority areas including Camden Town east, Kings Cross, Fitzrovia, West Hampstead, Swiss Cottage, Kentish Town and Gospel Oak. The first four have already been implemented, the others will be consulted on this summer.
Camden’s Approach
For each priority area, Camden Council has involved local residents and other stakeholders in identifying needs for the area.
Camden progressed a minimal measures approach to two-way cycling in one way streets (using lines and signs); significantly, this is the first time an area-wide approach has been used to improving cycling permeability. Camden then presented the cycling schemes as an integrated part of improving an area: see for example, their consultation on the Fitzrovia area improvement scheme. They point out the benefits of traffic reduction due to the one way streets and at the same time suggest that cyclists should be able to ride in both directions.
Notes on three of the schemes already implemented
As each of these schemes was completed we carried out an ‘audit’. These audits illustrate the scope of the work, but may seem critical as they were written with a view to getting the small details improved – and Camden officers have cooperated in doing this.
Kings Cross (finished Spring 2012)
Two-way cycling has been implemented on all the sections of one-way street in the area between Euston Road, Grays Inn Road, Tavistock Place and Argyle Street. Two CCC members in Argyle Square Residents Association participated in planning this scheme and officers spent time with residents of Regents Square who had objected to an earlier attempt to go back to two-way working. See our audit from April 2012.
Fitzrovia (finished Spring 2012)
This provided additional north-south permeability in Whitfield Street and Charlotte Street, simplified junctions by removing signals, on-carriageway cycle parking and an effective mid-point road closure in Warren Street. See our audit from July 2012
West Hampstead (finished Autumn 2012)
The work applies to the area bounded by Kilburn High Road on the east, the railway line on the north, Finchley Road on the west and Belsize Road on the south. Before the changes, one-way streets had created an impenetrable jungle for cyclists wishing to traverse the area and to avoid the busier roads such as West End Lane. See our audit from November 2012.
Some unsolicited testimonials
KIngs Cross: Daniel Zylbersztajn writes in the ‘Kings Cross Environment’ blog:
Camden council has opened up Seaford Street WC1X for dual direction cycling. It is now possible to cycle the Kings Cross North-South axis South of Euston Road on calmer roads omitting Kings Cross Road connecting Euston Road, Kings Cross / Argyle Square with Theobalds Road.
Fitzrovia: Danny Williams in his Cyclists in the City Blog has written an appreciation of the Fitzrovia scheme, which startes with:
Last week, Camden council completed the final piece in its area-wide plan to make Fitzrovia a better place to walk and cycle. And to make it a better place for residents and businesses in the area.
Camden set out to address a problem that is common all over central London and especially so in neighbouring Westminster: “Most of the time the area experiences relatively light traffic…delivered at least in part by the one way systems throughout the wider Fitzrovia area that are designed to discourage through traffic. Unfortunately this also reduces the permeability for cycling, despite many of the streets being ideal quiet roads within central London.”
West Hampstead: Jonathan in his ‘West Hampstead Life’ blog writes:
Several of the roads in the southern half of West Hampstead are one-way. This is generally a good thing as it allows for on-street parking while keeping the traffic moving. However, if you’re a cyclist these restrictions may prove rather frustrating and the temptation is great to take a short-cut by cycling the wrong way down a one-way street. Aside from the illegality, this can be hazardous if neither cars nor pedestrians are expecting it.
Camden has decided to investigate this and is proposing to make some of these streets two-way for cyclists only. This is apparently called “cycle permeability”. Good ol’ local government and its penchant for language.
Making these changes is relatively cheap – a bit of signage is really all that’s needed – and will be paid for by TfL. The following roads would be affected: Priory, Canfield, Greencroft, Sherriff, Messina, Gascony, Fairhazel, Smyrna and Kingsgate Place.
and later he writes again:
