To the Culture and Environment Scrutiny Committee (scrutinised a report by Louise Mc Bride on Cycling routes & Infrastructure) , 3rd December, 2013 6.30 pm in the presence of Andrew Gilligan (the Mayor’s cycling commissioner).
Cycling routes and Infrastructure
We welcome Louise McBride’s report and very much appreciate Camden’s responsiveness to cycling matters.
Our priorities for the Central London Grid and Quietway routes (see the map below)
The Central London Cycling Grid
1.GEW7 – Bloomsbury Way, Theobalds Road: It is now the most cycled route in London. An opportunity to make a cycle boulevard from Shoreditch to Fitzrovia;
2. GEW1 – Delancey-Pratt*: is important because it is part of the canal alternative as well as being a main east-west desire line across Camden Town;
3. GEW5 – Tavistock Place: this popular route is a victim of its own success; it needs an upgrade for capacity, safety and pedestrian convenience;
4. GNS1 – Outer Circle, Park Village East*, Gordon Street, Malet Street, will complete an already popular route;
5. GEW3 – Goodsway is a vital cross link in many other routes; the junctions require radical changes.
Assuming Royal College Street (RCS) extensions are going ahead
Quietways
1. QW46 – South End Green**, Savernake Road, Lismore Circus, Grafton Road linking to RCS northern extension;
2. Camden East West – Belsize Road, Swiss Cottage Gyratory***, Eton Avenue Market, Arctic Street/Regis Road****, Leighton Road;
3. QW31 –Greville Road, Primrose Hill to Parkway@Delancey* linking to GEW1;
4: QW29 – already signed but useful and popular route parallel to Camden Road;
5. QW24 – Lyndhurst Rd, South End Green, Malden Rd, Ferdinand Street , Superstore, Oval Road, Parkway@Delancey*.
Barriers to be overcome
* Parkway/Delancey/Oval Road/Albany/Prince Albert/Gloucester Gate junction;
** South End Green gyratory;
*** Swiss Cottage gyratory;
**** Arctic Street/Regis Road.
Quality of the routes – All routes should obey the (2000, 20) rule: if there are more than 2000 v.p.d or the speed is greater than 20 mph, cyclists should be separated from motors; – full segregation and conflict free crossing points across main roads; direct and clearly signed.
Question for Andrew Gilligan Many of these routes, including our top two in each category will require the reallocation of road space and time at junctions to cyclists. Recently, TfL traffic models have been used to reject or water-down too many cycling schemes. Are you going to ensure that these schemes are able to succeed, for example by the use of on-street trials?
