Proposed Pedestrian and Cycle Improvements on Abbey Road Junction With Belsize Road

Overview

The Council would like to hear your views on proposals to make pedestrian and cycle imrovements at the junction of Abbey Road and Belsize Road.

There are multiple developments around the junction, which have been split up into a 3 part phase development. Phase 1 consists of 141 residential units with retail space and open space/landscaping. Phase 2 of the development consists of the demolition of the existing Belsize Road Car Park building and a new community centre, health care centre and area for office space is to be developed. The final phase, phase 3, will consist of 85 residential units in a 6/7 storey block as well as commercial space. More information on the development can be found on the Camden planning portal. This consultation asks you for your view regarding the changes to the highway around the developments which aim to improve road safety and the public realm.

The new development is expected to increase the number of pedestrians in the area and in order to anticipate this change, we are proposing a number of improvements to the junction. A plan of the changes is attached at the bottom of this page.

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We are proposing the following changes to the junction:

1. Proposed new diagonal crossing points to help people cross the junction more quickly and conveniently.
2. Advanced stop lines (ASL) for cyclists to be increased to 5m around the junction to improve safety.
3. Existing refuge islands to be removed from the junction to enable crossings to be more direct and to make space for improved footways.
4. All guard railing around the junction to be removed.
5. Bus cage length to be shortened and relocated 4m closer to the junction to cater for the future development access.
6. Footways to be widening around the junction to cater for the additional pedestrians in the area and to shortern the distance of the pedestrian crossing. 
7. 5 Seconds early release for cyclists on both Abbey Road approaches to the junction. This would allow cyclists to navigate through the junction ahead of other vehicles.

We are also proposing the following changes on Abbey Road and Belsize Road to accommodate access to the new developments:

7. Reduce the bus cage length by 8.9m and remove 7.2m of permit holder bays on Abbey Road (northern arm, southbound approach). We are proposing to make this space double yellow lines with double kerbside blips to accommodate the vehicle access to the development. This would result in the loss of 1 resident permit holder space.
8. Existing access to Belsize Road car park would be closed and paved to footway level with double yellow lines.
9. Convert 16.6m of resident permit holder space opposite 113 Belsize Road to general disabled space and an ambulance bay, this is to support the needs of the new health care centre. This would result in the loss of 3 resident permit holder spaces.

Why your views matter

All properties located close to the proposals, local groups, statutory groups and ward councillors.

While it will not be possible to reply to you individually, all comments will be taken into account. At the end of this consultation period, officers will consider all responses received and write a report with recommendations. This report will be presented to the Director of Environment and Sustainability who will make a decision on whether or not to proceed with implementing the proposals.

Under the Local Government Access to Information Act 1985, your consultation response will be available for inspection if required; however, your personal details will remain confidential. Please only write to us with matters associated with this consultation. If you do have any further questions or require clarification about the proposed scheme, please contact transportconsultations@camden.gov.uk