Archway plans are not safe enough for #space4cycling

Our suggestions (PC users, click to obtain a bigger image. Touch screen users, tap for a bigger image)

Update 11 Feb 2015

We met TfL on Friday 6 February and they showed us revised plans which take our suggestions into account.  We are waiting to hear for more information from them.   We feel the drawings we made [see above and below] were good solutions to our requests. [Also below]  We look forward to further dialogue with TfL. We are, of course, pleased with the overall concept of ridding Archway of its gyratory. (Also present at the meeting were members of Better Archway Forum and Jeremey Corbyn M.P.  A representative from Living Streets was unable to attend.)

This is from our post of 5 December 2014…

Islington Cyclists Action Group Response to Transport for London’s Proposals for Archway

We are pleased that TfL recognise Archway needs to be improved for pedestrians and people who want to cycle. While there are some good aspects to this proposal, especially segregated tracks and floating bus stops, we have serious misgivings around some aspects of the design which we are very keen to see revised.

1. Various cycle movements are dangerous, and could be made safe with proper segregated tracks throughout and protected “T” junctions.
   1. Coming from Highgate Hill crossing Archway Rd to Archway Park: It would not be clear that you should go around the bus and not inside it on the cycle track, which would be more logical. It also requires you to turn right across left turning traffic. This is being removed at Oval because it is unsafe. It has no place in modern cycling designs. 
      1. Cyclists could have their own crossing linking the cycle track by Clerkenwell Building to the one on Archway Rd in one go.

         

   2. Coming from St Johns Way to Junction Road or into the new plaza: requires you to turn right across left turning traffic.
      1. A cycle track could fork from the Holloway Rd track and go straight in Junction Rd or join up with bike track going north from Holloway Rd.
   3. Coming from Junction Rd to St Johns Way there is another left hook risk: requires you to turn right across left turning traffic.
      1. A cycle track along the central Archway island along with a cycle crossing on Archway Rd would ensure these cyclists are safe.
      2. If a bus stop is placed here, the cycle track should go on the southern side of the road, forming a bidirectional with cycles coming west from St Johns Way.

         

2. 1. Coming from Archway Station up Highgate Hill: requires you to mix with traffic before joining the bike track again
      1. The bike track could easily join up by removing central island
   2. Coming down Highgate Hill: requires you to mix with buses and traffic at Bus Stop C
      1. Could be a floating bus stop and create a cycle track all the way to the new one opposite Archway Tavern.
3. Various cycle movements are impossible / overly complicated despite being very obvious desire lines
   1. Not clear how to get from Archway station into Holloway Rd
      1. need a segregated track, clearly distinguishing bikes and pedestrians that links to the southbound Holloway Rd track.
   2. Make Mcdonald Rd and Vorley Rd two way for cycling
   3. Impossible to cross Archway Rd north of Toll House Way
      1. Need a link from Archway Rd (northbound) to Archway Rd/Harberton Rd, especially at  Despard Road and Waterlow Rd
   4. From St Johns Way, there should be a cycle track north up Archway Rd on the east side of the central island.
4. As well as motor traffic / cyclists conflict, there is a worrying amount of built in pedestrian / cyclists conflict too
   1. The cycle track through the plaza should be clearly marked; eg with planters, boulders, or benches facing away from the tracks
   2. Where possible, bus stop bypasses should be larger to provide more space for bus passengers waiting and alighting
   3. Pedestrian provision could be improved by building out the corner of St Johns Way/Holloway Rd and Archway/Tollhouse Way. This could substantially simplify crossings by enabling one stage crossings and has the potential for creating a greater sense of place. We are aware this would involve some restructuring of the greenery, but this would be outweighed by the ability to interact with it and enjoy it more.

      

5. Cycle parking
   1. None has been marked. We very much hope there is ample throughout the area.
   2. Ideally this should be safer than “Sheffield stands”. Even with CCTV, hundred of bikes have been stolen in Islington in recent years, with stations as particular crime hot spots.
6. Continuation
   1. TfL should explore continuing the bike tracks down Holloway Rd and West through the  Girdlestone Estate
7. Bus users
   1. It is frustrating for there to be 2 bus stops for buses going in the same direction – people just want the first one. Therefore bus stops V and D should be united on St Johns Way.
      1. If this was done, there would be a danger to cyclists, so a bidirectional track would be needed (as explained above)
      2. The removal of bus stops V and D would reduce any potential conflict between bus users and cyclists.
      3. Space by bus stop V could be used for substantial secure cycle parking.

This clip of video shows cyclists going through the Gyratory at present (09.12.14)

We did this clip of video for the Space for Cycling campaign; this was the ‘ask’ for the Hillrise Ward.  A couple of cyclists negotiating the Gyratory Southbound. Don’t forget to sign the petition in the latest part of the campaign!