London Cycling Campaign critical of North Circular cycle lanes

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Permalink Reply by Will Embliss on July 19, 2012 at 17:55

Hi all,

I have written to Lynne Featherstone about the new junction of Bounds Green Rd / N. Circular.

My take on this is that The A406 is a barrier to commuters or other cyclists who want to cross it.

The new design has Bounds Green Rd one lane heading north the expand to 4 lanes as it reaches the A406. Two of these are for left turning traffic, so to go straight ahead cyclists need to move across two lanes and be in the third lane. Only confident cyclists will do this and the less confident will find fast moving traffic turning left on them. Also there are no advance stop lines for cyclists at the junction on either side. The reply I got from Chritian Van Der Nest of TFL ( Christian.vanderNest@tfl.gov.uk ) states that cyclists should turn into Tewkesbury Terrace when heading North either at Warwick Rd or later just before the pelican crossing. Both of these require crossing fast moving lanes of traffic - not ideal for unconfident cyclists. I also poited out that the speed camera shows that TFL want to slow traffic down on Bounds Green Rd. So why not do this by giving some of the road space to cyclists in the form of cycle lanes?

I'd be interestd in a cycle lane continuing North with a drpped kerb into the service rd ( Lower Park Rd ) next to the Tile wharehouse. From here cyclists can continue onto Arnos Grove via Palmers Rd and then onto Pymmes Brooke via Brookdale. This  route avoids the massive unpleasant roundabout between Bowes Rd and Friern Barnet Rd. 

I'd be keen to hear other cyclists thoughts on this.

Will

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Permalink Reply by Sean Fanning on July 27, 2012 at 11:34

In total agreement with you about the problem going north across this junction. Advance Stop Lines would help cyclists for sure. Cycling eastbound across the Wilmer Road junction is also problematic as you appear to be required to dismount and wait for umpteen signal changes. And there are various obstructions in the cycle lanes themselves.

Sean.

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Permalink Reply by Lindsey Clarke on July 20, 2012 at 16:02

I still find crossing the N Circ as a pedestrian using the crossings fairly traumatic - I wouldn't dream of trying to cycle. 

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Permalink Reply by Simone Melia on July 20, 2012 at 21:54

I know you're specifically asking cyclists (and I'm not one), but as a pedestrian I think this crossing (crossing over the N Corcular @Bounds Green Road) is much improved. Previously there was nowhere to wait as a pedestrian and no green pedestrian signal. Now it's much safer. I remember the horrendous noise we endured - including a few sleepless nights for the work to be done and complaints made to LB Haringey & TFL as I live right by the crossing. But seeing the new crossing I've since admitted that it was worth it!

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Permalink Reply by Will Embliss on July 23, 2012 at 16:50

Hi Simone

I agree they have made it safer for pedestrians and less queuing for motorists, which is good for those users but this design will not have you asking your teenager to pop on their bike to the diy store for some gaffer tape!

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