Beckford School – Proposed road safety improvements, Dornfell Street

Overview

Beckford School – Proposed road safety improvements, Dornfell Street NW6 1QL

We are writing to seek your views on the Council’s proposal to make a number of changes in Dornfell Street to improve safety for school children attending Beckford School, a primary school attended by children from ages 3 to 11. There are four school entrances on Dornfell Street which are all used by pupils. The Council has received reports of near misses involving motor vehicles and children crossing the street at the beginning and end of the school day.  

Council officers have met with Beckford School to discuss the possibility of a number of changes to help address these concerns. To create a safer environment, we are therefore proposing the following changes which are also shown on the attached plan.

Note:  each number below corresponds to a numbered proposal on the plan

1.    Widen the footway outside 7 and 8 Dornfell Street, this together with Proposal 2 will help provide a place where pedestrians can cross the road safely as they will be able to see motor vehicles approaching from Broomsleigh Street. This proposal will result in the loss of one resident parking space.

2.    Remove “School keep clear” markings outside the nursery entrance to the school and instead, widen the footway at this location. This will provide more space for parents/carers and children waiting outside the gate before the start and at the end of the school day.  In addition, together with Proposal 1, the proposed widening will provide pedestrians the view of oncoming motor vehicles so that they can cross the road safely. In order to compensate for the loss in residents parking space from the north side of the street (Proposals 1 and 4), two spaces will be provided next to the footway widening outside the school.

3.    Widen the footway outside the junior entrance to the school. This will provide more space for parents/carers and children waiting outside the gate before the start and at the end of the school day.

4.    Install a sheltered secure cycle parking at the entrance of Dornfell Street; this is in response to request made by some residents of Dornfell Street.  This will result in the loss of one resident parking space but it will be compensated under Proposal 2 above. The Council believes the introduction of secure cycle parking facilities would improve cycle parking safety and increase journeys made by bike which would help reduce congestion on Camden’s streets. There are two types of bikehangars that are available to Camden, details of both are provided:

Cyclehoop bikehangar:

-       2 units are implemented in one car parking space (5m) providing 12 secure cycle parking spaces.

-       The annual subscription fee for one cycle parking space is £60.

Asgard bikehangar:

-       3 units are implemented in one car parking space (5m)  providing 9 secure cycle parking spaces

-       The annual subscription fee for one cycle parking space is £55

In addition to the subscription, a one off deposit of £25 is applied for the key to allow access to the bikehangar.

In order to qualify for a space within the above bikehangars residents’ must meet the following criteria:

• Live on the street (or adjacent one) where the bike parking is proposed
• Do not have a Controlled Parking Zone Permit, (or would be prepared to give theirs up)
• Do not have suitable outside space to store a bike.

You can choose the type of hangar you want installed on your street be selecting the appropriate option in the attached questionnaire, images of both types of hangars have been included below, and currently Camden has only installed the cyclehoop bikehangar.

The Council will take responsibility to install the preferred option, but the management of the unit will be undertaken by the manufacturer who will manage and maintain the bike hangar on a long term basis. We will provide registration information along with the outcome of the consultation.

Why your views matter

The Council will be pleased to hear your views on the proposals we are consulting upon as well as any alternative suggestions or objections you may have to any aspect of the scheme. 

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 this consultation if you want us to consider your views. An equality and diversity form has been included that is voluntary for you to complete and send to us  via email or using the above free post address along with your consultation response. Any information you provide will help us in making an informed decision on the proposals. The information provided may be used in our reports; however, your personal details will remain confidential. You can download a copy of the form by clicking HERE

While it will not be possible to reply to you individually, all comments will be taken into account. At the end of this consultation exercise, officers’ will consider the views made as part of the consultation and prepare a report with recommendations. This report will be presented to the Director of Regeneration and Planning who will make a decision whether or not to proceed with the scheme proposals. Under the Local Government (Access to Information) Act 1985, your response is available for public inspection; however your personal details will remain confidential. Please only write to us about the consultation issue.