Mixed views on cycle lanes and consequent road changes

• CAMDEN now rely on an online “opinion” website called Commonplace for residents of the borough (and anyone else for that matter) to comment on the current “temporary” cycle lanes and consequent road changes. (Have a look at camden­safetravel.commonplace.is)

The Prince of Wales Road scheme, introduced by Camden without consultation – which the council now hopes has been so successful that everyone will endorse it and it can then be made permanent – has attracted about 240 responses.

Of these, 64 are positive about the new cycle lanes; positive in the sense that members of the Camden cycling lobby have filled in a standard form – and if there is a comment, it is “Great”, “Excellent” etc.

This does demonstrate the problem with websites like Commonplace – lobby groups just ask their members to complete the form to aid the cause.

Another 40 replies can be described as relatively positive – but with many comments on danger to cyclists and pedestrians, bus stops divided from pavement by the cycle lanes, etc.

Some 134 respondents are clearly against the scheme: “As a cyclist, it’s less safe than before”, “badly designed”, “an eyesore”, “shoddy”, “crossing the road for pedestrians is now more dangerous”, “these cycle lanes, I don’t use them at all”, “I feel less safe as a cyclist, pedestrian and bus user”, “poorly planned”, “the idiocy of requiring passengers to get off the bus into a cycle lane”, “from a cyclist’s perspective, the scheme offers virtually no benefit and is best abandoned”, “loss of the islands is dangerous for walkers”.

So, we have 56 per cent of respondents saying they do not like the scheme, and that £1.2million has been wasted; 27 per cent are in favour; while 17 per cent give qualified support but ask for major changes.

The 56 per cent show no signs of being corralled into opposition; many have well-argued cases against what has been imposed.

As far as I know, there has been no attempt by Camden to really find out the opinions of local residents and businesses – which I am sure would show an even higher level of opposition.

So what will happen? My bet is on Camden ignoring the opinion of residents.

The New Journal reports that Camden intend to go ahead with a very similar scheme for Haverstock Hill, implementing a cycle lane/parking/road layout which ignores the needs of pedestrians – and even more so than in Prince of Wales Road, the businesses that rely on passing, and stopping, trade.

One comment is notable on the Prince of Wales responses: “Labour is entrenched and unaccountable.” Accountability will come at the elections. Ignore your voters at your peril.

BRIAN LAKE
Healey Street, NW1