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Camden New Journal - by PAUL KEILTHY
Published: 29 November 2007

Fears cycle lane will give criminals an escape route

CYCLISTS and police are at odds over the planned route of Camden’s newest bike lane which some security experts claim could become a highway for criminals.
A proposed cycle lane linking Agar Grove in Camden Town with Camley Street in King’s Cross, which council transport chiefs and cycle lobby groups believe will provide a safe, fast route between the north and south of the borough, will also connect two areas with anti-social behaviour problems and offer an escape route for villains, according to a police report.
The route was approved after councillors heard police concerns at a meeting earlier this month, but St Pancras Somers Town councillor Roger Robinson is campaigning to have the decision overturned.
He said yesterday: “The cycle lane runs through the Agar Grove estate and involves the destruction of a security wall that was built 40 years ago precisely because there were problems with security. If anyone gets murdered on this estate because of this it will be at the door of this council.”
But newly appointed cycling champion Cllr Paul Braithwaite said security concerns had been exaggerated by individual police officers and a public consultation into the lane had received 85 per cent approval.
He said: “I believe that opening up this well-lit path will only improve security because more people will be passing through the area.
“Ten years ago I wouldn’t have gone through Somers Town – now I go through two or three times a week because of the cycle lane.
“But the greater good is that people who are currently having to cycle down Agar Grove and St Pancras Way will have a safe quiet route to King’s Cross.”

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