| |
Low speeds
• I’M delighted that we’re testing 20mph ‘green waves’ of traffic lights on Camden High Street and average speed cameras in Mansfield Road.
We need to lower speeds across Camden to make streets safer for pedestrians and cyclists. The Sustainability Task Force recently suggested a blanket 20mph speed limit on all roads that are not controlled by Transport for London.
The executive decided instead to continue with its policy of rolling out 20mph zones in particular neighbourhoods.
I note the government’s planned new eco towns are expected to have a speed limit of 15mph. It’s not often that I find this government in tune with me on green issues!
I believe we also need to install extensive cycling infrastructure (separated cycle lanes, bike stands, secure bike parking) and employ transport engineers to concentrate on improving cycling infrastructure. This is how Paris became a cycling city virtually overnight. Yet this is another thing that the executive decided not to back from the task force report on Transport. Instead we are left with cycle lanes that are advisory, that is, traffic does not need to stay out of them, advanced cycle boxes at junctions that the police don’t enforce, and pretty pictures of bicycles painted rather uselessly on roads. How can I ask a parent to cycle on Camden’s roads in those circumstances? I can’t. Our current approach to cycling is to encourage cyclists to risk their lives.
Cllr ALEXIS ROWELL
Camden Eco Champion
|
 |
|
| |
