‘There is more danger to pedestrians with cyclists abusing what should be a safe haven for pedestrians by using pavements as their highway’

• WHILE the CNJ is doing its bit to report on and encourage a reduction in air pollution, one of the major causes – exhaust fumes from vehicles – is being promoted by one obsessive councillor, namely Adam Harrison, with his wretched cycle lanes.

One has only to see those recently installed on Haverstock Hill, which are far too wide (nearly four feet and barely used), to note how the remaining carriageway width is so narrow that two double-deck buses can barely pass; to say nothing of larger lorries.

Additional traffic lights in the vicinity also delay traffic leading to more fumes when starting up and the ludicrous and infuriating arrangement at Camden Town is worse.

Bus priority traffic lights outside Chalk Farm station towards Camden Town cannot be used because they are now partially blocked by cycle lane stanchions, and outside Camden Lock market, just before the railway bridge, there is a massive island with a cycle lane behind it causing semi-permanent traffic jams because buses and lorries cannot pass easily in opposite directions leading to tailbacks and more exhaust fumes.

Worst of all, while Cllr Harrison claims these “improvements” are for the benefit of pedestrians, the layout at bus stops where the cycle lane is directly in front of the bus shelter but the boarding island is further over in the road is stupid and dangerous.

And when – if ever – is Cllr Harrison going to do something about pedestrian safety on pavements? It’s not a stupid comment as there is more danger to pedestrians with cyclists abusing what should be a safe haven for pedestrians by using pavements as their highway, and latterly also with scooters.

Publicity about illegality, severe prosecutions and police clampdowns, are needed to stop this frightening evil which is even worse at night when offenders don’t use lights either.

Cllr Harrison, stop preening yourself about your marvellous achievements and do something about illegal cycling.

JOHN STRATTON
Thurlow Road, NW3