The road outside St Mark’s Church in Primrose Hill

WEDDING cars and funeral hearses will be among vehicles “seriously inconvenienced” if cycle safety measures are given the green light, a vicar has said.

The Rev William Gulliford, vicar at St Mark’s Church in Primrose Hill, has urged parishioners to respond to a survey about the Cross-Camden-Cycleway that ends on Sunday.

More than 500 comments have been posted in an online council consultation about a plan to run a two-way cycle path from St John’s Wood to Parkway, through Delancey Street and into Camden Town.

It would mean changes to several junctions along the way including the southern exit of St Mark’s Square, by the entrance to the church.

In a bulletin to parishioners, Rev Gulliford said he was “very concerned”, adding: “Many of those who attend church are elderly and either drive or are given lifts, and the ease of being able to be dropped off outside the church is a considerable incentive to coming to church.”

He added that removed “access for funeral directors’ hearses and wedding cars for weddings” would “severely inconvenience key users for sensitive pastoral events”.

St Mark’s Square is the main exit for Primrose Hill residents who want to drive into central London.

There is no right turn at Gloucester Avenue, forcing traffic down Parkway and into Camden Town.

It is also on the No 274 bus route.

Rev William Gulliford

One of the many objections to the St Mark’s Square car block said: “This is the worst plan ever to come to Primrose Hill and this is someone who cycles as well as drives. No to this nonsense and shame on council for slyly putting this to a vote on a holiday.”

Another said “this is an important through way and your proposal will take that away”, while another predicted “horrendous tailbacks would be inevitable”.

Supporters said: “As currently configured, cars going south on St Mark’s Square frequently turn left through the red light. My children have had many worrying incidents when they walk to school. Please reduce the traffic and make the pedestrian crossing safer.”

And one cyclist said: “There should be high-quality protected cycle lanes all along the Camden section of Prince Albert Road.”

The council said: “We want to make changes beyond benefits to people cycling, by boosting how the area looks and feels and making it easier and safer for people walking and wheeling to get around.”

The online survey is on the council’s website until Sunday ahead and a full consultation that will be held later this year.

Camden’s planning chief, Councillor Adam Harrison, said: “At this early stage, absolutely nothing is finalised. For larger projects like the Cross-Camden Cycleway and the Holborn Liveable Neighbourhood, we are making sure to gather people’s views in from the community at an early stage, including about particular ideas as well as locations for better pedestrian crossings, wider pavements and more tree planting.

“This accompanies the main idea here, which is to create safer space for people who would like to travel by bike between Camden Town and Primrose Hill (and places beyond).

“Many people don’t feel safe to do this because of the lack of protected space, and we know this is an equalities issue, with many groups underrepresented but who should feel able to cycle.”