Traffic and Pedestrian Safety

We successfully lobbied Camden to improve the dangerous Marchmont Street/Tavistock Place junction in 2011 (see photo opposite) and to implement pedestrian and environmental improvements along the entire length of Marchmont Street, from Leigh Street to Bernard Street, which was completed in early 2012.

The changes to the Marchmont Street/Tavistock Place junction significantly improved safety for cyclists using the busiest cycle route in London and the junction is now less confusing. However, there are long waiting times for pedestrians crossing Tavistock Place and the two-way cycle lane continues to confuse pedestrians, who 'dice with death' daily as they cross this 'four lane highway'. Traffic counts carried out in the residential streets north of Tavistock Place after the introduction of the banned left turn indicated that there was a reduction in the volume of traffic entering the area from the west. However, this decrease was off-set by a notable increase in traffic travelling from north to south through the area, causing an increase in traffic volumes along Judd Street and Leigh Street.There was a welcome reduction in traffic using the entirely residential Thanet and Sandwich Streets. The Council has continued monitoring these streets, with a view to taking ameliorative action if necessary. We welcomed the Council's recent decision to introduce a 20 mph zone as a means of calming through traffic and improving pedestrian safety. We anticipate further changes to local traffic patterns arising from the University of London's Cartwright Gardens student halls development, if approved by Camden.

We expressed our concerns about the Council's plan for a 'contra-flow' cycle lane in south Marchmont Street and it was introduced in a modified form, including a total ban on parking, loading and waiting on the east side of south Marchmont Street (adjacent to the Brunswick car park wall) and with road markings directing north-bound cyclists to turn left along Coram Street. Few cyclists have been seen using this using this facility since it was introduced. We welcomed the introduction of the five Barclays Cycle Hire Scheme docking stations in May 2010 and successfully objected to one proposed for the Marchmont Parade. Whilst the scheme has proved extremely popular, it has attracted 'new' cyclists who would appear to have a rudimentary knowledge of the Highway Code, cycling on the footways and travelling the wrong way down one-way streets, to the continuing annoyance and endangerment of pedestrians and other road users.

Our proposals for reducing the negative impact of through traffic and improving pedestrian connectivity in Brunswick Square were adopted in principle by the Council's Transport Planners in 2008/09, with some of the associated works being included in Camden's Transport Strategy. Despite having worked in partnership with Camden on organising a pre-consultation workshop and public meeting to gain the views of local people on options for improving the south west corner of the square, where it meets Bernard and Grenville Streets, these plans were put on hold in December 2012 due to shortage of funds to implement the works. The proposed works included removing the redundant roundabout, extending footways and introducing new and improved crossing facilities to create a safer and more pleasant environment for pedestrians and cyclists. We have been asked to seek private funders for these works, with all offers being gratefully received!

Although minor street repairs are normally attended to quite promptly by the Council, other issues sometimes take longer to resolve, such as the serious 'ponding' issues in the roadway along Lansdowne Terrace and on the footway below the Handel Street entrance to Waitrose. However, these have now been rectified, proving that it pays to persevere. You can report street defects via Camden's on-line service (link to web site below). You can also let us know your concerns via the link in any of the 'Get Involved' boxes on this web site.

Additional Info:  

http://www.camden.gov.uk
http://www.marchmontassociation.org.uk/pdf/LondonCycleHireScheme_southMarchmontStreet.pdf
 

Created On 04 November 2010