Update: The scheme went live on 23 November 2015!
It is gathering huge support from cyclists, local residents others. But there is also a very strong ‘anti’ lobby. Camden Council need to receive as many commendations as possible. Read more and learn how you can lend your support on our post-installation blog.
We have won a battle*. Now we need to work to win the peace!
At the end of November Camden Council will change the road layout on Tavistock Place for a trial period of one year. Between Gower Street and Judd Street, motor vehicles will only be able to go east using just one traffic lane. The other traffic lane will be converted to a westbound cycle track and the existing two-way track will become a wide eastbound track.
This is the busiest street for cycling in Camden and one of the busiest in London with more than 1000 cyclists using it every hour at peak times. The number of cyclists on it has grown to a point where the existing cycle track does not provide sufficient space, risking collisions with other cyclists and making it difficult to overtake safely. Pedestrians and drivers find the current two-way track confusing and there are risks of collisions when motor vehicles turn across it.
We think the new scheme makes the route safer, quicker and more pleasant for cyclists. And by reducing the number of motor vehicles it should improve air quality and increase the safety of pedestrians.
Please be ready for the changes! If you like the scheme when you have tried it, tweet about it with #taviplace or send an e-mail to Camden Council: torringtontavistocktrial@camden.gov.uk to help ensure that the supporting voices outweigh those of the objectors – who will undoubtedly be many. ‘Winning the peace’ also entails all who use the new scheme riding legally and courteously so as to maintain the respect of local residents.
During the first week of operation we will be distributing a leaflet similar to this page to cyclists on the route so that they know what’s going on.
Read Camden’s more detailed explanation of the scheme.
Read our previous news item about the scheme.
* For the last two years we have been running a campaign to get a substantial increase in the Space for Cycling on the Tavistock Place/Torrington Place route which is one of the first segregated cycle tracks installed in London (2002). Our thanks are due to everyone who participated in the campaign,
