Newsletter April 2025

April 2025 Newsletter

from the local group of
London Cycling Campaign in Camden

This month's newsletter has:

Consultations for C51 (urgent), Arlington HSS, Somerstown and Oxford Street
Wider news round-up

Consultation: C51 Kilburn to West Hampstead Safe & Healthy Streets – closes Weds 16th April

Two C51 consultations urgently need your support. The C51 route goes from Marylebone Road through Westminster and then into Kilburn in Camden.

The Westminster consultation on Hamiltion Terrace. closes Wednesday 16th April (and is meeting strong opposition). Go directly to the consultation page here supporting Option 2 and ask for proper provision for cycling at junctions.

Description of the Camden section on our website here. Camden's section, including traffic filtering of Kilburn Priory, and removal of car parking, is very positive in principle, apart from the plan for crossing Abbey Road.

Please support the overall scheme, sending any comments (for Camden – to be highlighted in our response) to john@camdencyclists.org.uk Thank you.

Go to the Camden consultation page here

Cavendish School HSS consultation closes 27 April

The Cavendish School Healthy School Streets consultation closes on 27 April.

Following the Arlington Road & Inverness Street improvements, Camden are proposing to introduce a trial HSS scheme (timed restrictions to motor vehicles) on Inverness Street, where the main entrance of The Cavendish School is located.

More information at the CCC web page here.

Respond to the consultation here.

Respond to the HSS consultation here

Phoenix Road, Somers Town consultation closes 30 April

Camden are proposing to make changes around Phoenix Road in Somers Town, including permanent traffic restrictions to create open and green space.

Find out more and respond to the proposal here

Oxford Street pedestrianisation: Yes.. but space for cycling?

Please also take a minute to say a massive YES to the pedestrianisation of Oxford Street, BUT remind TfL and City of Westminster that new cycle routes will be essential for the area.

Cycling on Oxford Street is feasible and in line with other major pedestrianised streets in European cities.
But that’s not being offered, and so far TfL and Westminster's only option is just one substandard and convoluted route, far north of the 'desire line'. This isn’t good enough.

Have your say on Oxford Street and area here

Wider Cycling News & Events

• Conference: New perspectives on walking and wheeling in the city: 2nd May, 10am–4.45pm.
The “Cinderella” modes of walking & wheeling, fundamental to urban transport systems, but still neglected. Should the transformational nature of projects like the Strand piazza, and through-traffic's removal from Bank Junction, and the West End project be overlooked? Details and registration here.

Panel includes: Rezina Chowdhury, Adam Harrison, Caroline Russell and Professor Rachel Aldred

• Bristol City Council's head of transport, Adam Crowther. is “creating a network” for cycling and public transport. with plans approved for a new protected bike path and bus lanes to cut motor traffic and help tackle congestion in the city.

• After last month's reminder of the disproportionate damage from SUVs (16 times more than a one-tonne car due to the axle weight 4th power), a series of articles have followed:

SUVs are too dangerous and too big, their drivers should be made to pay.

It’s time to consign these giant SUVs to the rubbish heap of history

Why would anyone want a car that’s too big for parking spaces, or that’s a menace to other road users?

• Meanwhile Jonathan from Newham Cyclists reports on his experience of using the new shuttle bus, as the big, Silvertown road traffic tunnel finally opens (and why it falls so short of the mark).

• The Guardian asks “Is the Silvertown tunnel a bridge to the future or a step backwards?” The £2.2bn project in what is already one of the most polluted parts of the capital, does not appear an obvious choice to be championed by Sadiq Khan – better known for expanding the ULEZ to improve air quality.

• Back to Camden and Will Norman is delighted by the evolving improvements to the gyratory and wider neighbourhood at Holborn, that he has contributed to alongside the Council & Adam Harrison: “I've been cycling around Holborn since I first arrived in London as a student 25 years ago. Oh my goodness, the new cycle lanes make it so much better.”

Many thanks,

Camden Cyclists