Scrutiny committee agrees road safety recommendations

Date:   

Camden's culture and environment scrutiny committee has agreed a number of recommendations to improve road safety in Camden.

The recommendations take into account a number of suggestions from cyclists and pedestrians about how to improve safety in the borough.

In 2011 there were a number of serious accidents involving cyclists, with the tragic death of student Deep Lee in King’s Cross highlighting the dangers that cyclists face.

These deaths highlighted the need for discussions on road safety issues in the borough, particularly for cyclists.

Following a call for written submissions the Council held a special Scrutiny meeting about road safety in November and a Scrutiny meeting with Transport for London (TfL) in December 2011.

A number of recommendations will now be taken forward by the Council including working with TfL and Islington to investigate the feasibility of removing the King’s Cross gyratory and provide improved pedestrian crossings across Euston Road.

Cllr Jonathan Simpson, chair of the culture and environment committee, Camden Council, said:

"It is essential that we listen to the views of those who use the roads of Camden, and I am pleased that together we have come up with clear recommendations.

"The cross party Committee would like Transport for London to be more open and deal with residents’ concerns. By working together I hope that we can all improve safety in Camden for all road users and pedestrians."

Cllr Sean Birch, Cabinet Member for Sustainability and Transport said:

"As we take these recommendations forward we hope that cyclists and pedestrians will continue to give us their views.

"Ongoing feedback will help us make our roads as safe as possible and encourage as many people as possible to walk and cycle in Camden.”

"Discussions have already begun about the feasibility of removing the King’s Cross gyratory, and we will continue to work with TfL on a number of recommendations."

Notes for editors

- Camden’s culture and environment scrutiny committee held a road safety discussion with Transport for London on 5 December 2011.
- Cyclists were encouraged to provide written submissions of their experiences on roads across the borough, particularly on main roads which are managed by Transport for London.
- The recommendations that have been agreed by the committee are:

1. Endorse a quick review of junction scheme at Euston Road / York Way, but within a timeframe of delivery prior to the Olympic Games.  If this does not include a separate cycle lane we believe it should be a temporary measure and a longer term solution is needed.

2. TfL to work with Camden in developing and delivering safety improvements along Euston Road – particularly the crossing from the British Library to the junction with Judd Street.

3. Camden to review casualties along Theobalds Road, and take into account concerns around the design of the contraflow bus lane

4. TfL should implement their agreed improvements to Camden Road as a priority as soon as possible.

5. Support TfL – led work on the feasibility of removal of the Kings Cross gyratory, with LB Islington.  Believes that TfL should commit to fund this review.  Would suggest setting up a cross Borough working party on this.  Requests that TfL reports back on progress in six months time.

6. Camden and TfL should continue to raise profile of cyclist safety, such as the “exchanging places” events and the promotion of TfL free CPC vulnerable road user training.

7. TfL and Camden should continue to increase the number of cycle stands in the Borough, not least in Camden Town where railings have been removed.

8. Improve engagement of Transport for London with councillors and local communities, taking into consideration meeting timings, structure and locations.  The London Transport Liaison group should meet in evenings at different venues around the Borough.

9. TfL to set out in writing the process of identifying and developing schemes, the process of decision making and who is responsible and criteria used in prioritisation and decision making.
 
10. TfL to set out the proposed programme of schemes on the TLRN in Camden for the coming 3 years and how this will address the ongoing road safety and severance impacts.

11. TfL to work with Camden in adopting wider use of 20mph limits, including on TLRN and other main roads.  Camden should also adopt wider use of 20 mph limits.

12. Contact DVLA to discuss the amount of cycling awareness included in driver training and the driving test (for Category A and B vehicles, i.e. motorcycles and cars) and if necessary, lobby for additional elements.

13. For larger vehicles (category C and above) drivers will soon be required to acquire “Certificate of Professional Competence” (CPC).  Currently most drivers train for a CPC voluntarily, however it will be compulsory for all PSV (bus and coach) drivers by September 2013 for all LGV drivers (Large Goods Vehicles, over 3.5 tonnes) by September 2014.  CPC requires a 35 hours of training to be undertaken every 5 years, but does not stipulate which modules must be undertaken. TfL provide free accredited CPC training module on safer London driving, which focuses on pedestrian and cycle safety.  Camden should help TfL promote this module as well as lobby DfT for a change in CPC requirements, which make it compulsory for all drivers of category C and above to undertake a module on vulnerable road user safety and awareness.  Camden Council should work with its own contractors to promote take up of the free training amongst all relevant staff; and the Council should put in place improved/greater controls to ensure its contractors are driving with due care and attention e.g. covert monitoring, checks of fleet vehicles etc.

14. TfL and Camden officer to report back to C&E scrutiny in 12 months time regarding the progress made on these recommendations.

Ref Code:   PR 1573
Contact:
    

pressoffice@camden.gov.uk