Through Traffic on Camden Mews

Overview

Dear Sir or Madam

PUBLIC CONSULTATION

Proposal to ban “Rat-Running” traffic on the northernmost Section of Camden Mews between Camden Park Road and York Way

We are writing to inform you of the Council’s proposal to ban through traffic from the northernmost section of Camden Mews, between Camden Park Road and York Way. The proposals would mean that any “rat-running” traffic would be banned from using this section of Camden Mews, and that signage in the form of a ‘Motor Vehicles Prohibited’ sign with an additional ‘Except for Access’ plate installed, and monitoring undertaken for a 6-month period to assess the scheme.

This scheme will permit access to residents of properties in the northernmost section of Camden Mews as well as any other vehicles that require access to this section of the Mews, including deliveries to residents.

Following the issue of “rat-running” traffic being raised by local residents, the Council undertook traffic surveys. The surveys, undertaken in June 2018 for 2 weeks, indicated that the northern section of Camden Mews receives an average daily flow of 520 vehicles, which is very high given the narrow width and residential nature of the Mews. This is caused by vehicles “rat-running” along roads parallel to Camden Road, including Camden Mews to bypass signalised junctions and traffic on Camden Road.

In contrast, the section of Camden Mews just south of this between Camden Park Road and Cantelowes Road has an average daily flow of 75 vehicles which indicates how significant the flows are for the most northerly section of Camden Mews, and the need to take action with regard to the through traffic experienced by residents.

The proposals detailed below are in line with the objectives of the Camden Transport Strategy (CTS) 2019-41, namely Objective 2: To reduce car ownership and use, and motor traffic levels in Camden. The CTS provides the policy base for all transport schemes progressed in the borough and is reflective of the Mayor’s Transport Strategy. 

There would be no change to access for residents of this section of Camden Mews. A vehicle registered at any address on the most northerly section of Camden Mews, between Camden Park Road and York Way would still be permitted to drive and park on this section of Camden Mews, as currently occurs. 

The ban on through traffic accessing the most northerly section of Camden Mews would be enforced through regular mobile Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) camera vehicle patrols as well as Civil Enforcemement Officers (CEO) patrols to issue tickets to vehicles that should not be accessing this section of Camden Mews. 

Therefore, the proposed scheme elements include the following, and as shown here

• A proposed ban of through traffic for Camden Mews (northernmost section between Camden Park Road and York Way). This would be indicated by a "Motor Vehicles Prohibited" sign at the south end of this section of the Mews with an "Except for Access" plate, that will permit access to residents of properties in the northernmost section of Camden Mews well as any other vehicles that require access to this section of the Mews, including deliveries to residents.
• An advanced warning sign on Camden Park Road as indicated in the attached plan, informing through-traffic travelling towards Camden Road, that they are not permitted to use the most northerly section of Camden Mews, except for access to properties there.
• Monitoring of this scheme for (at least) 6 months through assessing traffic flows along the most northerly section of Camden Mews and through the number of vehicles issued Penalty Charge Notices (PCN’s) through the transgression of the ban on through traffic.
• ANPR Camera vehicle enforcement supplemented with CEO foot patrols to detect any vehicles transgressing the ban on through traffic along the most northerly section of Camden Mews and issuing of PCNs

Although these measures relate to the most northern section of Camden Mews in particular, it is likely that the proposed scheme will have a benefit in reducing rat-running for the adjacent section of Camden Mews between Camden Park Road and Cantelowes Road, and also the wider Camden Square area.

It is proposed that the measures detailed above would be installed during the 2019/20 financial year, if approved.

This is your opportunity to comment

Why your views matter

The Council welcomes your views on the proposals as well as any alternative suggestions or objections you may have to any aspect of the above proposals. 

Please Note: If you are responding on behalf of an organisation, only ONE reply will be accepted. You must give your full postal address when responding to the consultation if you want us to consider your views.

Equality & Diversity questions have been included that are voluntary for you to complete. Any information you provide will help us in making an informed decision.

Who is being consulted?

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 Regeneration and Planning (Supporting Communities Directorate) who will make a decision whether or not to proceed with implementing the proposals.

The area being consulted can be found here.

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 Paul Davis on 020 7974 2520.

Yours Sincerely

Paul Davis

Principal Transport Planner

London Borough of Camden