Albany Street - Safe and Healthy Streets Consultation

Overview

We want our streets to have more safe space for everyone to walk and cycle, for children to get to and from school safely and healthily, for businesses to be able to flourish, to reduce carbon emissions from vehicles and for you to be breathing cleaner air.

We want to ensure that when we invest in our streets it provides a lasting legacy of greener, safe and healthier travel, helping us deliver our wider Transport Strategy objectives.

As 69% of households in Camden do not own a car and public transport use remains much lower than before the pandemic, we know that safe and easy walking, cycling and scooting routes are more important than ever. Supporting and encouraging those who are able to walk and cycle, by creating safer streets will ensure that there is more space available on public transport and on our roads for those who need it the most.

Why your views matter

Our proposals on and around Albany Street aim to address issues with traffic volumes, speeding, poor and infrequent crossings, lack of safe cycling facilities and issues with air quality, while improving the look and feel of the area with planting. The proposals include:

• Upgrading three and adding six new crossings, including zebra crossings for pedestrians, and toucan crossings and parallel crossings that can be used by both pedestrians and people who cycle
• Widening narrow areas of pavement to make the street more accessible
• Making cycling improvements, including physically separated cycle tracks in both directions along Albany Street, safety improvements at junctions, new cycle stands and resident cycle parking
• Protecting bus journey times and accessibility by creating bus stop bypasses, changing bus lanes and merging two northbound bus stops
• Adding plants, up to 16 trees (subject to further studies) as well as 13 places to stop and rest throughout Albany Street
• Improving public space and navigation at key locations to improve the look and feel of the street and make it easier to get to Regent’s Park

For more details, please see the sections below.

To view the plans click on the links here or in the Related Section at the bottom of this page. 

Albany Street Consultation Plans

Appendix A Public Space Improvement Ideas and Photo Guide

After the consultation, a decision report will be produced and published online via our website. Local residents and stakeholders will be notified of the outcome. The report will consider a broad range of information including officer observations, consultation responses, relevant policies, and other data/information.

For information on how we will use data collected from this consultation read our privacy statement: Data protection, privacy and cookies - Camden Council

Albany Street Context & Reasons for Change

Albany Street is one of the busiest routes in the area, with a high volume of traffic and speeding issues. An average of 12,000 vehicles a day travel through Albany Street, with over half of these travelling above the 20mph limit. Through our community engagement in the Regent’s Park Area, some residents have expressed safety concerns regarding motor vehicles on the road, especially near Christ Church Primary School. Residents also raised issues around air and noise pollution. Whilst harmful nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) levels on Albany Street have reduced in recent years, due to local policy changes and after the introduction of the Mayor of London’s Ultra Low Emissions Zone, they are however still above the World Health Organisation limit.

There are very few pedestrian crossing points along Albany Street, especially at key junctions, and some pedestrians have told us they do not feel safe when crossing. The road also has issues with narrow and uneven pavements, making it difficult for both pedestrians and wheelchair users. Residents have also requested more lighting and raised concerns about anti-social behaviour.

Prior to developing these proposals, traffic modelling has taken place to understand the impact the changes would have on traffic levels. We have also spoken to local businesses and stakeholders to develop plans that address any loading and access requirements, as well as other improvements like cycle parking.

These proposals would make it easier and safer to walk and cycle along and across Albany Street, while creating a better connection to Regent’s Park and the wider London cycle network. The plans are in line with Camden’s Road Safety Action Plan and Cycling Action Plan, which highlight Albany Street as a location where road safety and cycle infrastructure need to be improved. The proposals on Albany Street would create 2.4km of new segregated cycle tracks, helping us deliver the targets in the Camden Transport Strategy Delivery Plan set for 2027/28.

The walking and cycling changes, along with the new plants, trees and public space improvements aim to support the health and wellbeing of all road users in the Albany Street and Regent’s Park area, as well as local businesses, schools and other organisations. Measures are also being proposed to protect bus journey times while keeping high levels of bus stop accessibility.

As 63.5% of households in Camden (70.5% in the Regent’s Park Ward) do not own a car, we know that providing transport infrastructure and improvements that enable safe and easy walking, wheeling, cycling and scooting on key routes like Albany Street, are important.

These changes would also contribute to delivering our Climate Action Plan and meet the recommendation, made by the Citizen’s Assembly on the Climate Crisis, to introduce more segregated cycle lanes in Camden and to increase urban greening on our streets. The proposals would also help deliver the Council’s climate resilience measures.

What are we proposing and why?

We are proposing the changes below to respond to the opportunities and challenges identified on Albany Street. Changes at the junction of Albany Street with Gloucester Gate, at the northern end of the route, would be proposed as part of a separate “Cross Camden Cycleway” project. The southern junction of Albany Street, where it meets Osnaburgh Terrace, is part of the TfL “TLRN” Red Route network and we will continue to work with TfL, and Westminster City Council, to progress improvements there.

(i) Proposals for walking and wheeling

• Improving current and building new crossings along Albany Street (from north to south) with the following proposals:
  • The current pedestrian island between Gloucester Gate Mews and Park Village West would be moved 10m north and upgraded as a raised zebra crossing. There is a need for a safe pedestrian priority crossing at the northern end of Albany Street and the raised design would help slow vehicle speeds.
  • A new raised zebra crossing by Park Village West, to allow for safe crossings for all people walking and wheeling in the area, including people using the bus stops
  • A new raised zebra crossing by Cumberland Terrace Mews, this would be a safe crossing for all people walking and wheeling, as well as residents using the proposed new bus stop
  • Two new raised parallel zebra crossings for pedestrians and cyclists (see example image below) north and south of Redhill Street for safer access to/from Christ Church Primary School, helping to slow vehicle speeds and create an improved connection to Regent’s Park via Cumberland Place

• The current two-stage crossing just north of Robert Street replaced with a single-stage crossing, so that people can cross in one go without waiting in the middle of the road
• A new single-stage crossing to the south of the Robert Street junction, where there is currently no crossing point for pedestrians, to provide a safe and convenient crossing in this location
• Existing two staged crossing by the Chester Gate junction, upgraded to a single stage pedestrian and cycle (toucan) crossing, to improve pedestrian priority and safety at a busy junction and create a better connection to Regent’s Park
• New parallel zebra crossing near Longford Street, to allow safe crossing for pedestrians and cyclists at the southern end of Albany Street and to help slow vehicle speeds
• Pedestrian priority, and safety improvements, at key junctions (see section below)
• New “continuous crossings” are proposed at Gloucester Gate Mews, Park Village West, Cumberland Terrace Mews, Redhill Street, Cumberland Place, Nash Street, Chester Close North and South, Chester Gate, Little Albany Street, Longford Street and on Robert Street across the access road by Troutbeck and Nash Street. A continuous crossing is where the street is raised to pavement level and paved across the junction. This would improve pedestrian priority and safety by slowing vehicles turning from and onto Albany Street (example below).

• Pavement widening, smoothing uneven paving, and improving narrow areas of paving at multiple locations is proposed, which would improve access for everyone including wheelchair users and people with prams
• Introducing seating throughout the street to make walking more accessible and inclusive for all with places to stop and rest every 150m.

(ii) Proposals for cycling

• A new stepped cycle track along Albany Street (example below), in both directions, to physically and safely separate cyclists from vehicles and pedestrians. This will create 2.4km of safe cycling infrastructure, on a key route in Camden.

• New parallel zebra crossings at Redhill Street and Longford Street, to allow cyclists to cross the road and make safer turns
• A new single stage pedestrian and cyclist (toucan) crossing at the Chester Gate junction, to make it easier for cyclists to cross Albany Street and access Regent’s Park
• New cycle stands and cycle hangars along Albany Street, following resident and business requests and to meet local demand for short and long-stay cycle parking
• Safety improvements at junctions, separating cyclists from motor traffic and giving cyclists priority when turning at key junctions (see section on junctions below)

(iii) Safety improvements proposed at Albany Street junctions with Robert Street, Chester Gate and Nash Street

These proposals have been developed following junction modelling to test safety improvements for pedestrians and cyclists and the impact on motor traffic. These designs aim to improve pedestrian safety and comfort. The proposals also separate cyclists from motor traffic at key junctions, giving cyclists priority and making it safer and easier to turn.

Proposals at multiple junctions

• Removing pedestrian guard railings north of the Chester Close South and Robert Street junction with Albany Street, and by the Robert Street junction with Nash Street. This will create more space for those walking and wheeling.
• Road surface of the Albany Street junctions with Chester Gate and Robert Street raised to make crossings more accessible and to slow vehicles down (subject to further studies)

Robert Street Junction Proposals

• Current two-stage pedestrian crossing just north of Robert Street replaced with a single-stage crossing, so pedestrians no longer wait in the middle of the road
• New single-stage pedestrian crossing to the south of the Robert Street junction so that people can cross safely in one go in this location
• Single lane entry for motor vehicles to and from Albany Street at all sides of the Robert Street junction, to create space for the proposed cycle safety improvements
• Advanced stop line for cyclists on Robert Street (a painted box for cyclists to stop in) to give cyclists physical priority at the junction. There will be an “early release” for cyclists turning on to Albany Street from Robert Street, where traffic lights allow cyclists to move off before other traffic.

Chester Gate Junction Proposals

• Existing two-stage crossing by the Chester Gate junction, upgraded to a single stage pedestrian and cycle (toucan) crossing; this improves priority, safety and comfort for pedestrians and cyclists and allows them to cross in one go

Nash Street Junction Proposals

• Adding a motor traffic restriction at the junction of Nash Street and Albany Street. In 2024, access to Nash Street from Albany Street was permanently made ‘access only’ for residents and deliveries. Through installing bollards or street furniture, this would formalise this entry point for only pedestrians and cyclists only and help create a safer street environment. Emergency service vehicles would still be able to access Nash Street from Albany Street and vice versa but all other vehicles would access Nash Street from Robert Street.

(iv) Proposed bus stop and bus lane changes

• All bus stops along Albany Street to be changed to create a ‘bus stop bypass’. A bus stop bypass allows for the cycle track to continue at a bus stop, enhancing the safety of cyclists while creating an island where passengers can wait. This island is connected to the main pavement by a zebra crossing (pictured below).

• Extending the operation hours of the current southbound bus lane north of the Robert Street junction to “at-all-times”. Currently the bus lane operates Monday to Friday, 7am to 10am and 4pm to 7pm and on Saturday between 10am and 7pm; this will maintain bus priority on the approach to the junction
• Removal of the southbound bus lane south of the Robert Street junction, to create space for the cycle track. At present there are no issues with congestion in this location and the bus lane only runs for a small section of the road, so this change is not expected to impact bus journey times.
• Merging two northbound bus stops at Cumberland Terrace and Regent's Park Barracks. These are less than 300m apart and collectively serve just 15 passengers an hour at peak times; this would improve bus journey times with minimal impact on bus users. If these bus stops were merged, the new (combined) bus stop would be 300m from the next bus stop to the north (Prince Albert Road/London Zoo) and 325m from the next bus stop to the south (Robert Street), in line with Transport for London’s guidance which requires the distance between stops to be no more than 400m.

(v) Proposed Parking, Loading, and Surfacing Changes

• Extending the loading bay between Chester Close North and Chester Close South junctions by 4m and relocating this in an inset bay within the proposed bus stop island, north of the bus stop, to help serve businesses in the area
• Removal of 120m of resident permit parking south of Chester Gate, 20m would be relocated nearby on Albany Street, resulting in a total a loss of approximately 20 resident permit spaces
• Making Albany Street narrower to slow vehicles and address speed concerns, with new 20mph signs installed
• Single yellow lines along Albany Street would become double yellow lines with double yellow blips, to prevent vehicles from waiting and loading unsafely
• Car club bays near 17-19 Albany Street and opposite bus stop P would be relocated to an inset bay on the southern end of the proposed new bus stop island for bus stop P (there would be no loss of car club provision)
• Raising the road surface at the new proposed crossings, to give pedestrians and cyclists priority and to slow vehicle speeds
• Repaving uneven areas, especially around tree roots to make it easier for everyone to walk and wheel.

(vi) Safety and public space proposed improvements

• Public space improvements are proposed along the corridor, following feedback from community groups, to improve the look and feel of Albany Street and make the area feel safer. Key locations include north of the crossing from Redhill Street to Cumberland Place, south of Redhill Street near St George’s Cathedral and near the junction of Chester Gate. These proposals could include new seating, trees and planting to improve the general look, feel and accessibility of the road, as well as street play features such as stepping stones for children. If approved the local community would be invited to develop these plans in Autumn 2025.
• Installing wayfinding to key destinations like Regent’s Park, stations and other landmarks. This could be installed at Chester Gate, Cumberland Place, Redhill Street, Clarence Gardens, Longford Street and Little Albany Street and could include street furniture, signage and repeated materials that direct pedestrians and cyclists.
• Additional street lighting where needed along Albany Street, subject to an assessment of current provision and areas where improvements are required
• New benches and spaces to sit and rest every 150m.

(vi) Proposed Greening Changes

• Planting at various locations is proposed, including rain gardens, throughout Albany Street. Rain gardens are areas of planting which soak up water during heavy rainfall helping to reduce local flooding (example below). Parts of Albany Street are considered more vulnerable to climate change risks such as flooding and overheating.

• Tree planting at various locations, with up to 16 new trees along Albany Street, to provide shade.
• All planting changes and new tree proposals would be subject to further studies

The proposed changes are illustrated in the Albany Street Consultation Plans document. We have also put together a photo guide that shows what some of proposed changes could look like, such as segregated cycle tracks and bus stop bypasses. Links to this document are provided at the bottom of this page. The image below provides an illustration of what the proposed changes could look like. A larger version of this is also available at the bottom of this page.

Current view of Albany Street looking northbound by the Robert Street Junction

Visualisation of Albany Street looking northbound by the Robert Street Junction

Cross section of Albany Street showing current and proposed road / pavement allocation

How have we engaged on these ideas already?

Between 2022 and 2024, residents and stakeholders in the Regent's Park Area were invited to co-design ideas for transport and public space changes in the area. This included an online engagement survey, engagement with businesses, a walkabout with Camden Disability Action, workshops with local community groups and with pupils from local schools, as well as six 'pop-up' events.

The feedback included comments about the need for traffic calming and better cycling infrastructure along Albany Street. Respondents also commented on poor pedestrian crossings on the road, suggesting new and safer crossings. People also identified locations where the pavement got busy with long waiting and short crossing times at signalised junctions.

The responses also highlighted the desire for sociable and safe spaces as well as more plants and trees and improved air quality.

In early 2025 we also engaged with businesses on Albany Street through an online survey and in-person visits to understand their loading and servicing requirements.

What happens next?

The consultation closes on Sunday 8^th June 2025. After the consultation, we will carefully consider the responses, alongside other information including relevant data, safety audits and policy contexts. After the consultation, we will publish a decision report online via our website. We will notify local residents and stakeholders of the outcome. The report will consider a broad range of information including officer observations, consultation responses, feedback received, relevant policies, and other data/information. Should a decision be made to proceed, we would implement the changes under a permanent Traffic Management Order (TMO).

If implemented, the changes would be brought forward in stages. It is expected that they would be delivered in full by the end of 2026. The project would be funded through the HS2 Road Safety Fund and other Council funds. We would continue to monitor the changes to make sure the new road layout operates effectively.