Albany Street Cycle and Pedestrian Improvements

Camden are proposing major changes to Albany Street (east of Regents Park), including 2.4 km of segregated cycle tracks, junction improvements and pedestrian and cycle crossings. It’s good to see this but we have issues with the design, especially the narrowness of the proposed tracks. Dates: Consultation 12th May to 8th June 2025; Reply to: safetravel@camden.gov.uk; CCC member dealing with it: John Chamberlain. Responded 7th June 2025.

This is a significant scheme which would create 2.4 km of new segregated cycle lanes as well as numerous other improvements to this key N-S street. However, as designed, the lanes are too narrow, which would make it impossible to pass slower cyclists and force people into the main carriageway.

The proposals include:

2.4 km of 1.5m segregated cycle lanes
Upgrading 3 and adding 6 new pedestrian crossings including a cycle crossing at Chester Gate and parallel zebra crossings for pedestrians and cycles at Redhill and Longford Streets
Wider pavements
Improved junctions including ASLs and early release for cyclists
Separate cycle signals for north- and south-bound cycles at Robert Street
Continuous pavements at most of the side-streets
Closure of Nash Street to motor vehicles
Additional cycle parking and storage
New trees, green planting and seating
Improved links to Regents Park

Albany Street is listed as a key Primary cycle route in Camden’s 2019 Transport Strategy and will connect to the planned E-W route on Delancey Street and Prince Albert Road.

The proposed scheme reallocates road space from motor vehicles to pedestrians and cyclists – see below from the consultation document – but the allocation to cycles is well below what is needed and does not meet guidelines. The planned pavements are up to 3m wide (4m in places) and footfall is relatively low (no shops etc) so there is plenty of room for 2m cycle lanes over much of the route without compromising pedestrians. And the planted areas are a good idea but not at the expense of space for cycling.

Apart from the inadequate cycle lane width, the main weakness is that the major junctions at either end will not be done until later. Nevertheless this is an important scheme and we think it should be supported with reservations.