A new set of road upgrades and traffic control measures are to go ahead in North London, despite residents petitioning their council, urging a rethink.
A new ‘Safe and Healthy Streets’ scheme at Fitzjohn’s Avenue in Hampstead was approved by Camden Council in March this year. The £1.7 million project will install new segregated cycling lanes, zebra crossings, rain gardens, remove parking spaces and relocate several bus stops, says MyLondon.
A traffic ban on College Crescent during school drop-off and pick-up times, commonly known as a School Street, will also be trialled.
These proposals were largely rejected by the 950 people who responded to the public consultation. Residents living within the area affected opposed the scheme by almost three to one, with just 23 per cent of people backing the plans – though three in four respondents who lived outside the borough were in favour.
The scheme is designed to prevent collisions and cut air pollution by reducing car use in favour of promoting active travel, as part of the borough’s wider transport strategy. Fitzjohn’s Avenue was also chosen based on Transport for London (TfL) flagging it as a medium-priority for risks of casualties.
However, many questioned whether the scheme was necessary at all, as some respondents argued the cycle lanes and rain gardens would either waste money or take away from the local area’s “historic character”. Other concerns included that trying to attract more cyclists in an area with such a steep uphill climb would encourage “speeding” e-bikes ignoring traffic lights and hitting local schoolchildren.
Further fears around the loss of parking spaces, and the dangers that new ‘floating’ bus stops intersected by cycle lanes posed to the elderly and disabled, were backed by Conservative and Liberal Democrat councillors representing Belsize, Frognal and Hampstead Town wards, who called in this decision earlier this year.
Cllr James Slater, Cabinet Member for Planning and a Sustainable Camden, said:
“Following a consultation which had over 950 responses from residents, we made the decision to move forward with the Fitzjohn’s Avenue scheme to make the streets in the area safer, greener and healthier. Among many improvements, the scheme includes a new cycle lane, new and upgraded crossings, bus journey improvements and a Healthy School Street.
“We are aware of the concerns that some residents have raised and want to assure that feedback from the consultation was carefully considered and reflected in current proposals.”
(Picture: Camden Council)
