Last Wednesday, John Chamberlain led a deputation from Camden Cyclists in which we expressed full support for the scheme. There was one other deputation in favour from Gordon Mansions and three opposed from BRAG, LTDA and Imperial Hotels. See the cabinet Agenda for details.
We are very pleased that Camden’s Cabinet made the right decision last Wednesday and that they have funding to build stepped tracks on both sides of the road as well as for making improvements at the junctions and at Byng Place.
Here is the background:
- Nov 2015: Tavistock Place trial starts (with motor traffic eastbound only and doubling the space for cycling)
- Oct 2016: Consultation on making the trial permanent received over 15,000 responses with 79% in favour but Camden decides to hold a public inquiry.
- Autumn 2017: Public Inquiry
- May 2018: The Inspector’s report recommends not making the trial permanent but suggests that Camden could consider reversing the motor traffic to flow to westbound.
- Sept 2018: Cabinet decision to make the trial permanent and then consult on westbound option.
- Nov 2018: Consultation on westbound option and to improve the junctions and upgrade to stepped tracks
- Nov 2019: Officers’ Report and Cabinet Decision
Here are a few highlights:
In favour of retaining an eastbound direction for motor traffic: of the 1,966 individual responses and 21 group responses to the latest consultation, 64% were in favour of retaining the current permanent (eastbound) traffic arrangement. For residents, 58% (310) preferred an eastbound direction, compared to 32% preferring westbound.
Emergency Services response: “Can you register an objection to the reversal of traffic flow on Tavistock Place, from the London Ambulance Service. This will delay ambulances returning to Bloomsbury ambulance station, Herband St, from Local Casualty department.” “That is correct we wish the traffic flow to remain in its current direction.”
A few details:
- stepped cycle lanes along the length of the corridor in both directions, with exceptions around the loading bay and taxi rank on the south side
- the junctions at Woburn place and Bedford Way and Marchmont Street will have a separate signal stage for cycles;
- the track on the south side will be made mandatory bringing it in line with the north side;
- various sections of footway will be widened;
- delineation will provided between eastbound cyclists and pedestrians at Byng Place;
- the cycle lane around the taxi rank will be widened.