Regent's Park Area (South) Safe and Healthy Streets Consultation

Overview

Online session

If you have any questions about the Regent's Park Area (South) Safe and Healthy Streets project, you can join an online session with our team to learn more about the changes proposed and ask any questions. 

Click here to register for Thursday 2nd October, 6.30pm to 7.30pm

Click here to register for Tuesday 7th October, 6.30pm to 7.30pm

This meeting is open to residents, business owners and all stakeholders in the scheme area. You must register ahead of the event with your full home or registered business address. Once you register, a link will be emailed to you ahead of the event; entry to the online meeting will only be granted to those who have registered. The questions and Council responses will be shared on the consultation page.   

This consultation

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.

From 2022 to 2024, Camden Council worked with Sustrans and local organisations to engage the community on how to spend the £2.4m High Speed 2 Road Safety Fund. The fund serves to leave a legacy of improved road safety in affected communities along the HS2 construction route and to mitigate the impacts of increased traffic during construction. The engagement focused on understanding key transport and public space issues and involved co-designing solutions together with residents to create safer and greener streets. Community feedback was published online in a report available here. Young people were separately engaged as part of the Young Urban Designers Project to understand what they would like to see in their area. This engagement has fed into these proposals.

In the coming months, the Council will also publish a consultation for a separate scheme in the Regent’s Park North area, which will include proposals on Augustus Street, Mackworth Street, Park Village East, Stanhope Street and Varndell Street to improve the area for pedestrians and cyclists with traffic speed reduction measures, improvements to crossings/road safety measures and new planting.

Proposal Summary

Our proposals for this area are based on the responses from the Regent’s Park area engagement and were assessed together with local transport and environmental data to develop these proposals. You can read a summary of the key issues and suggestions.

To view the consultation plans and see a photo guide with examples of the changes proposed click on the links in the Related Section at the bottom of this page.

In general, the proposals in the Regent’s Park area respond to resident concerns about traffic volumes, speeding, air quality and accessibility, and requests for new and improved crossings and better cycling facilities. The proposals would also improve the look and feel of the area through new planting and artwork.

In summary the proposals include:

• Upgrading/adding seven new crossings to improve safety for vulnerable road users, including zebra crossings and informal crossing points for pedestrians and a new parallel crossing on Robert Street that can be used by both pedestrians and people cycling
• Introducing changes to reduce the impact of motor vehicle through-traffic by an 18-month trial of changes on Osnaburgh Street and Stanhope Street
• Making cycling improvements by adding a cycle lane on Robert Street, advance stop lines (a box for cyclists to wait in ahead of motor-vehicles at traffic lights), cycle stands and resident cycle parking, as well as new dockless bike and scooter hire bays
• Widening narrow areas of the pavement and improving side-road crossings to make the street more accessible
• Adding new plants and trees
• Creating better connectivity through the Regent’s Park estate

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, feedback received during the trial period, (delete if not relevant) relevant policies, and other data/information.

The report will then outline if at the end of the trial period, the experimental scheme should be made permanent, modified, or allowed to lapse. Subject to the decision to make the scheme permanent, officers will continue to monitor the scheme and will consider additional measures if necessary. These will be progressed and publicly consulted on as part of a separate scheme. 

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

Why your views matter

Your views will help us to decide if we should make our proposed changes including improvements to road safety and new facilities for pedestrians, people cycling, public spaces and plants on Robert Street, Osnaburgh Street, Stanhope Street, William Road, Drummond Street and Longford Street. The proposed changes are illustrated in the Regent’s Park South Safe and Healthy Streets Consultation Plans document. We have also put together a photo guide that shows what some of proposed changes could look like, such as continuous crossings and rain gardens. This also includes a map of the Regent’s Park area and an overview of the other schemes taking place. Links to these documents are at the bottom of this page.

Street by street proposals

(i) Robert Street

• Proposals for walking and wheeling
  • Adding new crossings along Robert Street (from west to east) to enhance pedestrian priority and accessibility, with the following proposals:
    • Moving the existing raised crossing by Nash Street east by 30 metres; this raised zebra crossing would improve the pedestrian connection between the shops on Robert Street and Compton Close. This change is also required to respond to the junction changes proposed as part of the separate Albany Street Safe and Healthy Streets project.
    • Adding a raised parallel zebra crossing for pedestrians and cyclists (see example image below), by Osnaburgh Street, helping to slow vehicle speeds and create an improved connection from Clarence Gardens to Cumberland Market

• • Adding a new raised zebra crossing between the junction with Stanhope Street and Hampstead Road, where there is currently no crossing point for pedestrians; this would provide a safe and convenient crossing in this section of road

Adding new continuous crossings along Robert Street, across all side roads and access roads to properties. A continuous crossing is where the street is raised to pavement level and the pavement material continues across the junction. This would improve pedestrian priority and safety by slowing vehicles turning from and onto Robert Street (example below). Adding these crossings would also replace the old uneven paving.

• Pavement widening and smoothing uneven paving at multiple locations, including around trees on the southern side of the pavement, which would improve access for everyone including wheelchair users and people with prams, including in narrow locations

• Proposals for cycling
  • Introducing a new cycle lane on the western end of Robert Street in the westbound lane, from Compton Close to the junction, connecting with the proposed Safe and Healthy Streets project on Albany Street (these proposals have been consulted on separately). This would create a safe connection to one of the busier cycle routes in the borough and improves safety for cyclists on the approach to the junction.
  • Installing new cycle stands and two cycle hangars (resident cycle parking), between the junction of Stanhope Street and Osnaburgh Street following resident and business requests and to meet local demand for short and long-stay cycle parking
  • Adding advanced stop lines for cyclists (a painted box for cyclists to wait in in front of motor vehicles – example below) on all sides of the Robert Street junction with Stanhope Street to give cyclists physical priority at the junction, with a feeder lane where possible

• Removing the existing dockless e-scooter and e-bike hire bay at the junction of Robert Street with Albany Street. This current bay is not big enough with scooters and bikes overspilling, making it difficult for those walking and wheeling. We would install one new bay on Osnaburgh Street and further west on Robert Street, near Compton Close, to meet the demand.
• Proposed traffic management changes
  • Making the junction with Osnaburgh Street exit-only from Osnaburgh Street to Robert Street, this would be introduced as an 18-month trial. This is to reduce the volume of through traffic from using Osnaburgh Street and other residential streets further north as a cut through the area (see section on Osnaburgh Street below for more details). People using motor vehicles could continue to access the street via Stanhope Street, Varndell Street and Cumberland Market.
• Proposed parking, loading, and surfacing changes
  • Removing and reallocating parking bays: 
    • Overall, 4 residential parking spaces would be added and 28 ‘pay by phone’ parking spaces would be removed (see Table 1 for an overview of the parking changes). This is to allow for space to be reallocated to crossings, dockless bike hire parking and public space improvements including seating and new plants. These improvements were requested by some residents, including participants in the Young Urban Designers Project through the community engagement.
    • The majority of the ‘pay by phone’ parking would be removed from the eastern end of Robert Street. ‘Pay by phone’ parking has been retained near the western end of Robert Street for visitors to local businesses. Creating a loading bay for businesses outside 96 to 108 Robert Street, to respond to feedback about loading requirements from business visits
  • 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, specific locations on Robert Street were highlighted in an accessibility audit as not wide enough for wheelchair users
  • Single yellow lines along Robert Street would become double yellow lines, to prevent vehicles from waiting and loading unsafely
  • Adding 20mph speed limit signs, to remind drivers to drive carefully and within the speed limit for this area
• Safety and public space improvement proposals along Robert Street, following feedback from community groups, to improve the look and feel of the road:
  • Creating a large mural on the Woodhall building wall on the southern side of the street, between the junction of Stanhope Street and Hampstead Road, to be designed with local residents. One of the key findings from the Young Urban Designers Workshops was to make the area more colourful, and this would also build on the existing Story Trail project.
  • Removing pedestrian guard railings; this would create more space for those walking and wheeling
  • Adding new benches and spaces to sit and rest every 150m
• Proposed planting improvements
  • Planting, including rain gardens, at various locations throughout Robert Street. Rain gardens are areas of planting which soak up water during heavy rainfall helping to reduce local flooding (example below). Parts of Robert Street are considered more vulnerable to climate change risks such as flooding and overheating

(ii) Osnaburgh Street

• Proposed trial traffic management changes
  • A new 18-month trial “no exit” traffic restriction on Osnaburgh Street and stops motor vehicles from exiting Osnaburgh Street onto Robert Street. This would be introduced as an initial Experimental Traffic Order, with a further decision following the trial period whether or not to make permanent (or any further changes). Motor vehicles would be able to drive from Robert Street into Osnaburgh Street, but not out from Osnaburgh Street to Robert Street. Cycling would be permitted to travel in both directions. Over 600 cars drive along Osnaburgh Street in an average day, the proposed changes would reduce the amount of traffic using Osnaburgh Street and other residential streets further north as a cut through the area. This also creates space for public realm improvements, outlined below.
  • Adding a new raised parallel zebra crossing across Robert Street for pedestrians and cyclists, connecting Osnaburgh Street with Clarence Gardens, and a continuous pavement across the entrance to Osnaburgh Street
• Proposed parking, and surfacing changes
  • Removing 7 residential parking spaces; this is to allow space for the public space improvements
  • Introducing a southbound cycle lane separated from general traffic, creating a cycling route from Cumberland Market to Clarence Gardens
• Public space improvements
  • This trial restriction would create a safer, pedestrian and cycle friendly ‘north-south’ route connecting the green spaces on Cumberland Market, across Robert Street, to Clarence Gardens, and addresses the resident request to create a ‘child-friendly hub’ at Cumberland Market
  • During the 18-month trial period improvements can include seating and street furniture designed and built with young people, planters, artwork, cycle parking and a dockless bike hire bay. This would allow residents to enjoy a green link to Cumberland Market and encourage children to enjoy outdoor spaces and be active, while on their daily journeys.
  • After considering public engagement/feedback during the trial period, if this scheme was made permanent, then more sustainable transport facilities could be introduced through a mobility hub, which could include cycle hangars and cycle parking stands, with improved pedestrian access and permanent planting to increase local climate resilience. Any significant additional changes at the end of a trial would be subject to new public consultation.

(iii) Stanhope Street

• Proposed trial traffic management changes
  • Extending the Netley Primary “Healthy School Street” to Stanhope Street. This is a timed closure to motor vehicles at the start and end of each school day, which is currently in operation on William Road only
  • Healthy School Streets create a safer and healthier environment by temporarily closing roads to motor 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 interact. Healthy School Streets (HSS) help to discourage car trips, particularly amongst parents and carers, by providing a safe and inviting space for more walking, cycling, and scooting. More information about Camden’s Healthy School Streets, including any exemptions, is available here.
  • The extended area would be introduced as an 18-month trial, through an Experimental Traffic Order, between the Clarence Gardens junction and Drummond Street, to address concerns from some within the school community around traffic volume and speeds, especially at school drop-off and pick-up times, as well as evidence of traffic using Stanhope Street as a north-south through route instead of Hampstead Road or Albany Street. On an average weekday over 350 cars travel through Stanhope Street between 8.15am and 9.15am, this includes HGVs. The Council would continue to assess traffic and engage with local stakeholders, including the school community, throughout the trial.
  • The traffic restrictions on Stanhope Street would be in place between 8.20am - 9.20am and 3pm - 4pm Monday to Friday, during school term time only, the same times as the current William Road restrictions
  • We have collected traffic count data on Stanhope Street, across an average week during school term time which shows that traffic levels on these streets are at their peak around school run times on some days.  Figure 1 below outlines data collected on Stanhope Street between Robert Street and William Road

• Advanced warning signs would be installed on Stanhope Street (north), Robert Street, Longford Street and Drummond Street to inform drivers of restrictions
• Proposals for walking and wheeling
  • Introducing a new “continuous crossings” are proposed along Stanhope Street, across side roads.  This would improve pedestrian priority and safety by slowing vehicles turning from and onto Stanhope Street.
  • Removing guard railings, smoothing uneven paving and widening narrow areas of paving on the eastern side of the street south of William Road, which would improve access for everyone including wheelchair users and people with prams.
  • Adding a new informal pedestrian crossing south of the William Road junction, to make it easier for children to access the Netley Primary school entrance
• Proposed parking, loading, road marking and surface changes
  • Removing one ‘pay by phone’ parking space, to create a mobility hub at the southern end of Stanhope Street, near Drummond Street (see below).

• Single yellow lines along Stanhope Street would become double yellow lines to prevent vehicles from parking unsafely
• Public space proposed improvements
  • Installing a mural on the on wall on the southern end of the street by 141-185 Stanhope Street, designed with local residents, following requests for artwork to make the area more colourful and to build on the existing Story Trail project
• Proposed planting changes
  • Planting outside 141-185 Stanhope Street just south of the junction with Robert Street on the western pavement; this idea was developed as part of the ‘Green & Resilient Spaces Fund Project’ with Community Champions and local residents
• Proposed mobility hub
  • This would be introduced at the southern end of Stanhope Street and would be a single location which could include dockless bike hire, cycle stands and a cycle hangar for residents, planting, seating, wayfinding to key destinations that direct pedestrians and cyclists and cargo bike parking. The hub would make it easier to access sustainable transport, help increase capacity for dockless bike and scooter parking and would complement the recently introduced electrical vehicle charge point.
• Cycling changes
  • Installing new cycle parking stands would be added amongst the proposed planting just south of the Robert Street junction

(iv) William Road

• Proposals for walking and wheeling
  • Introducing new “continuous crossings” along William Road, across access roads. This would improve pedestrian priority and safety by slowing vehicles turning from and onto William Road.
  • Widening the pavement and smoothing uneven paving is proposed at multiple locations on the northern side of the street, which would improve access for everyone including wheelchair users and people with prams, especially in narrow areas
  • Adding a new raised informal crossing near the Netley Primary School gate on William Road, to make it safer and easier for the school community to safely cross
  • Removing pedestrian guard railings; this would create more space for those walking and wheeling
• Proposed parking, loading and road marking changes
  • Removing approximately 2 resident permit holder parking spaces, to allow for a new crossing and build out on William Road; this is to allow for space to be reallocated to planting, crossings and public realm improvements. These improvements were requested by residents through the community engagement. 
  • Relocation of motorcycle parking bay approximately 10m to the east; this is to allow space for the relocated pedestrian crossing. The motorcycle bay is currently 12m wide, the new bay will be 10m in width.
  • Changing the single yellow lines along William Road to double yellow lines, to prevent vehicles from waiting and loading unsafely
• Public space proposed improvements
  • Reviewing the water ponding issue at William Road junction with Stanhope Street near entrance to residential area

(v) Longford Street and Drummond Street

• Proposals for walking and wheeling
  • Introducing new “continuous crossings” along Longford Street, across all side roads. This would improve pedestrian priority and safety by slowing vehicles turning from and onto Longford Street
  • Installing a new uncontrolled crossing point near Osnaburgh Street, to make it easier to walk north-south through the estate; this would be on a raised area of road that would help slow vehicle speeds
  • Installing a new zebra crossing near Laxton Place, creating a safe walking route from Longford Street to Munster Square Playground, which later connects to Clarence Gardens and Cumberland Market
  • Adding two uncontrolled crossing points to make it easier to cross at the mid-point of this section of Drummond Street; the western crossing would be on a raised area of road that would help slow vehicle speeds
  • Widening the pavement on the northern and southern side of the road on Longford Street, which would improve access for everyone including wheelchair users and people with prams
  • Adding new “continuous crossings” along Drummond Street and Longford Street, across all side roads. This would improve pedestrian priority and safety by slowing vehicles turning from and onto Drummond Street and Longford Street.
• Proposals for cycling
  • Installing a new dockless hire bay near the Knowledge Quarter on Longford Street, as nearby bays are well used, and some residents requested more designated parking bays for dockless bikes and e-scooters
• Proposed parking, loading, road marking and surface changes for motor vehicles
  • Converting single yellow lines along Longford and Drummond Street to double yellow lines, to prevent vehicles from parking unsafely
  • As part of the separate Albany Street Safe and Healthy Streets project, approximately 5 ‘pay by phone’ bays on the western end of Longford Street would be reallocated to resident permit holder bays, following the removal of parking on to create space for a cycle track on Albany Street.
• Proposed planting changes
  • Planting by the Longford Street and Osnaburgh Street junction and near the eastern end of Drummond Street. This could include rain gardens, which are areas of planting which soak up water during heavy rainfall helping to reduce local flooding
• Proposed road safety changes
  • In addition to the road marking changes outlined above, a Vehicle Activated Sign (VAS) sign would be added (example image below). This tells drivers what speed they are travelling at and shows whether they are within the speed limit using colours and faces.

• To support all the above changes parking spaces would need be removed or reallocated to make space for crossings, planting and dockless bike hire. This is in line with the feedback from resident engagement to remove excess parking and improve the safety, look and feel of the area. 

• A breakdown of the overall changes in parking is outlined below:

  Location	Resident permit holder bays	Pay by phone bays
  Osnaburgh Street	7 spaces removed
  Robert Street	4 spaces added	28 spaces removed
  Stanhope Street		1 space removed
  William Road	2 spaces removed
  Drummond Street		No loss of parking
  Longford Street		No loss of parking
  Overall change	5 spaces removed	29 spaces removed

  Table 1: Outline of parking changes in the Regent's Park Area (South)

• 5 resident parking spaces would be added on Longford Street, reallocated from ‘pay by phone’ spaces, as part of the separate Albany Street Safe and Healthy Streets project.

• One residental parking space would be removed on Cumberland Market to allow for vehicle turning movements