Camden Council wants you to tell them about road safety

Posted on November 2, 2011 by Sophie Talbot

Camden’s culture and environment scrutiny committee is calling on cyclists to provide written submissions of their experiences on roads across the borough, particularly on main roads which are managed by Transport for London, which includes the notorious King’s Cross Gyratory system.

In recent weeks there have been a number of serious accidents involving cyclists, with the tragic death of student Deep Lee (Min Joo Lee) in King’s Cross highlighting the dangers that cyclists face.

Submissions made to the committee will be used to inform discussions around road safety. Transport for London will be invited to attend and discuss their own programmes to reduce cyclist and pedestrian casualties on roads within Camden.

Evidence can be submitted by e-mail to Lesley.blue@camden.gov.uk or sent in writing to:
Democratic Services
Culture and environment scrutiny committee
Town hall, Judd Street
London WC1H 9JE

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

“As the popularity of cycling continues to increase, and with the continued rise of cycling in Camden it is essential that we listen to the views of those who use the roads of Camden.

“The recent tragic deaths have brought home the need for an extended discussions on road safety issues in the borough, particularly for cyclists.  There is an urgent need for Transport for London to address the tragic events that led to fatalities.

“We want to hear the views of as many cyclists and pedestrians as possible and I would urge as many people as possible to share their experiences with us.”

So, make your views heard. We’ll submit everything that’s been posted on this site too. Thanks to Camden Council.

Posted in Bad Gyrations KX Campaign, Road Safety in Kings Cross | 3 Comments

An old friend finds a new home

Posted on November 2, 2011 by Sophie Talbot

The beautiful Handyside Bridge that preceded the brand spanking new internal footbridge in KX Station was much loved by locals and tourists alike. It was a destination for Harry Potter fans wanting to have their pictures taken under the famous bridge with its central clock. So it’s good news for our old friend… Network Rail has donated the bridge to the Watercress Line, a Hampshire based not-for-profit rail attraction which includes a fleet of steam engines.Handyside Bridge 600x300

Posted in Kings Cross Station Refurbishment | Leave a comment

Living Streets 20mph campaign

Posted on October 31, 2011 by Sophie Talbot

The excellent Living Streets is campaigning for a 20mph speed limit right across London. Here Camden Community radio interviews Caroline Russell from Living Streets and Sophie Talbot from King’s Cross Community Projects about road safety (starting at 10.44 in), particularly in light of the Bad Gyrations campaign in King’s Cross.

Posted in Road Safety in Kings Cross | 2 Comments

The Street at CSM – fly through

Posted on October 31, 2011 by William Perrin

Steve Roberts does it again with another magnificent flying video of Central Saint Martins.  This time indoors with a camera on top of a Parrot AR Drone.   If you can only see a black box below click here to go to YouTube and see the film there.

Posted in Arts and Entertainment, Kings Cross N1C, railwayslands | Leave a comment

Kings Cross road safety – meeting with investigating police

Posted on October 30, 2011 by William Perrin

On Friday at their request, I attended Islington Police Station to met with the police officers investigating Min Joo ‘Deep’ Lee’s death at the junction of York Way and Pentonville Road.  Cllr Paul Convery (Islington Lab) and Cllr Paul Braithwaite (Camden LibDem) accompanied me.  The police team was led by a Detective Chief Inspector and included the investigating officers for the accident and an expert from the Traffic Management Unit.  This followed my letter. There’s an ongoing investigation so I won’t go into details of the discussion.  The Councillors and I set out the specific road safety issues in the  Kings Cross and Euston areas and the strategic failings of TfL with regard to road safety in Kings Cross and London more broadly.  We had a detailed discussion about both matters.

We found the officers well informed and serious in their intent to investigate this case and prevent future death on the roads.  A small, cynical part of me had expected a ‘stakeholder management’ encounter to placate local interests.  But I was pleased that this was in fact a purposeful working meeting where our local knowledge and corporate memory added to police thinking.  We agreed to send useful information, in particular Jim Gleeson’s analysis of the startling increase in cycling numbers around Kings Cross from DfT data and information about TfL’s unimplemented plans in the Camden area.

If you wish to do your bit for a campaign to make Kings Cross safer then you can add your story of cycling or walking in Kings Cross to our disturbing list (which Sophie is now mapping brilliantly).  We are building up to a public meeting on which more soon.

Posted in Road Safety in Kings Cross | 1 Comment

Regent Quarter – northern block revealed

Posted on October 29, 2011 by Sean Murray

Work on the northern block of Regent Quarter has now started and the developer’s web-site has been updated with visuals and plans for the site:  http://www.regentquarter.com The project includes the development of the old print works and a public walkway through from Railway St to Wharfdale Rd. The affordable* housing project is already underway next to Central Station. (*I guess this makes the rest unaffordable)

View of Railway St.

Posted in Regents Quarter | 2 Comments

Please help with trees…

Posted on October 28, 2011 by Sophie Talbot

Apologies for the repost, but I think this got lost in our switch from typepad to wordpress….

John Ashwell has had a great response to the plea for help with replacing fallen trees on Wharfdale Road.

The collection is coming along well, and thank you for the generosity of residents thus far. John’s hopeful that one of the nearby residential blocks will be sponsoring a tree. If that is the case, only a further £145 is needed to ensure both trees are planted with guards and a full 3-year watering contract.

Please make your pledges to johnashwell@blueyonder.co.uk

Posted in Wildlife and Nature | Leave a comment

Greenwall in the FT

Posted on October 28, 2011 by Sophie Talbot

Very excited today. Kings Cross Community Projects’ greenwall (now called the living sculpture) project has been mentioned in the FT and it doesn’t even physically exist yet! Our locally based sculptor, the rather fab Neil Ayling is exhibiting in his first solo show and isn’t shy in telling the FT about the wonderful sculpture he’s designed to sit on the north end of the King’s Cross gyratory system on Wharfdale Road.

Posted in Green Wall Project | Leave a comment