Healthy School Streets consultation - Argyle Primary School, Tonbridge Street

Overview

The Covid-19 pandemic has changed how people in Camden live, travel and work. Since the start of the pandemic many of us have been spending more time closer to home, making our neighbourhoods more important than ever. We want our streets to be safe spaces for you to walk and cycle, for children to get to and from school safely and healthily, for businesses to be able to flourish and for you to be breathing cleaner air.

As 69% of households in Camden do not own a car and public transport capacity 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.

Healthy School Streets create a safer and healthier environment by temporarily closing roads to traffic outside schools during drop-off and pick-up times. This enables more children to walk, cycle or scoot to school, with less air pollution, road danger, congestion and more space for people to physically distance. Healthy School Streets help to discourage car trips, particularly amongst parents/carers, by providing a safe and inviting space for more walking, cycling and scooting.

Why your views matter

Motor vehicles on Bidborough, Hastings and Tonbridge Streets, from the junction with Judd Street to Cromer Street would be prohibited at school pick-up and drop-off times. The one-way systems on all three streets would remain in place, with the addition of a contra flow for cycles. Signage would be placed at the junction with Judd Street and Bidborough Street, and at the junction with Cromer Street and Tonbridge Street to alert drivers of the restrictions.

The scheme would be introduced as a trial for a maximum of 18 months. A further consultation to decide whether to make the scheme permanent would be carried out after 12 months.

WE PROPOSE TO -

• Create a timed Healthy School Street road closure on Mondays to Fridays from 8.15am-9.15am and 3pm-4pm during school term time. This will improve safety for local residents, parents and pupils at Argyle Primary School, by preventing vehicles from accessing Tonbridge Street at school pick-up and drop-off times
• Install relevant signage to alert drivers of the restriction. The signage will state the road closure to all motor vehicle traffic (except exemptions – see below)   
•  Close the signs during school holidays  
• Install relevent signage for the cycle contra flow

The following vehicles will be exempt from the restrictions:

• Vehicles registered to properties and businesses on Bidborough, Hastings and Tonbridge Streets
• Any vehicle being used for fire brigade, ambulance or policing purposes
• Refuse collection teams
• Blue Disabled Badge holders resident on the above streets
• Pupils of Argyle Primary School that have a disability that prevents them from walking, cycling or scooting to school.

Taxis and deliveries will not be exempt, and these should be scheduled outside of the restricted times. However exemptions can be applied for in exceptional circumstances, such as when people with mobility issues may need essential taxis during the restricted hours.                     

If the scheme goes ahead, details of how to apply for an exemption will be posted to residents/businesses in the consultation area.     

In line with new Department for Transport guidance, we are now consulting on all new and amended Safe and Healthy Street schemes so that we can engage our local residents, businesses and stakeholders in changes happening on their streets. We want to know what you think about these proposals.

Please see related documents below for a drawing of the scheme proposals.

What happens next

 As the consultation is now closed,your views, and those of everyone who contributes to this consultation, will be analysed and considered, alongside relevant data available on the scheme and in light of how the scheme aligns with our current policy objectives, in order to put forward recommendations on whether to proceed with the proposals. A summary of this analysis will be provided in the decision report, and will be made available on the Camden Council website in due course.

If you have any other ideas for improvements to make travel safer and healthier in this area, please go to Safe Travel Camden Map  to make some suggestions.