On 22nd July 2008 we visited Old Street Roundabout as part of our road danger reduction campaign.
We noted a number of issues that increased risks for cyclists at this junction. We also noted one feature that made it safer for cyclists – the sheer mass of them. From 5.30pm until 6.30pm six hundred cyclists came through. That’s ten a minute! On some phases of the lights some twenty cyclists would sweep through.
Speeding motorists
We noted that the speeds of motor vehicles could be high once they had entered the roundabout. It was suggested that this may be because motorists observed the first stretch of clear roadspace once they had gone through the lights. The congestion charging zone to the south and west, and the signalling introduced a few years ago has led to excess circulatory space on the roundabout.
Motorbikes in ASLs
There are ASLs on all the entries to the roundabout. There are also ASLs at the lights on the roundabout itself. We noted that the ASLs on the approaches to the roundabout were frequently filled with motorbikes – we observed thirty motorbikes enter the ASL on the western entrance to the roundabout after the traffic light in the half hour we spent at this point.
Narrow feeder lanes
We noted that the entries to the roundabout from the west and the south were fairly narrow and that the cycle feeder lanes into the ASLs were frequently blocked by vehicles.
Recommendations
We would like to see speed limits and the ASLs enforced on the roundabout.
20.08.2008 If you would like to know more about our report and recommendations for Old Street roundabout please contact:
Stephen Taylor:
P 07977 235 735
E sltaylor001@yahoo.co.uk