Healthy School Street - Savernake Road

Overview

PUBLIC CONSULTATION

Proposed New Healthy School Street Scheme on Savernake Road, NW3 (Gospel Oak Primary School)

We are writing to seek your views on the Councils’ proposal to implement a new ‘Healthy School Street’ for Gospel Oak Primary School. The proposed changes will involve the introduction of a timed road closure of Savernake Road between Rona Road and Mansfield Road to traffic (except cyclists) during school opening and closing times only (school term time).

The Healthy School Street Scheme is an initiative set up to reclaim the road space outside a school, providing children with the opportunity to travel to and from school in a safer traffic free environment. The scheme meets a number of Camden’s Transport Strategy objectives which include improving local air quality and encouraging healthy lifestyles by promoting walking, cycling or the use of public transport for school journeys. The Council believes that the proposal will have a direct impact on reducing levels of emissions of vehicles traveling through this street, especially during the ‘school run’ period. Car engines idling around schools, during peak periods in particular contribute to poorer air quality and traffic congestion.

The Council implemented its first Healthy School Street outside St Joseph’s School on Macklin Street in July 2016. Following its implementation, evidence collected by the Council shows benefits including a reduction in Nitrogen Dioxide emissions outside the school, and reduced driving to school levels. For this reason the Council is seeking to expand the scheme in other parts of the borough. Gospel Oak Primary School submitted a request to consider the implementation of a Healthy School Street to address concerns expressed about safety, poor air quality and traffic congestion.

We are proposing to close Savernake Road between Mansfield Road and Rona Road to all traffic (except cyclists) in the morning and afternoon peak periods between 8:30ams – 9:30am and between 3pm– 4pm Mon – Fri (school term time only). During these times the closed section of the street will be designated as a Pedestrian and Cycle Zone only and the road closure will be enforced through the erection of Automated Number Plate Recognition Cameras (ANPR). The camera is designed to only recognise vehicle registration plates of cars that enter the closed area during the above prescribed hours. Any vehicles already within the closed area at the time of closure would be permitted to exit, however any vehicles that enter the closed area will automatically receive a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN). The relevant signage will be erected to warn drivers of the days and the time when the road closure is enforced.

Council officers considered various options for the implementation of the closure and have analysed existing traffic count data to determine the primary route of travel for vehicles on Savernake Road.

The data illustrated that about 100 vehicles travel through Savernake Road southbound towards Mansfield Road in the morning rush hour, most of these vehicles turn left onto Mansfield Road towards Gospel Oak train station. Officers consider that most of these vehicles are travelling through Savernake Road to avoid the busy signal junction at Agincourt Road/ Mansfield Road.

In order to reduce this through traffic using Savernake Road all day, , we are proposing an option whereby we could also convert Savernake Road one way between Mansfield Road and Rona Road. The two options proposed are detailed below and shown on the enclosed drawings.  There will be no overall loss in marked parking bays as a result of either option.

Option 1 – ANPR Cameras and Savernake Road ‘one-way’ working between Mansfield Road and Rona Road

1. Make Savernake Road one way northbound for all motor traffic (except cyclists) between Mansfield Road and Rona Road The remaining section of Savernake Road will still be two – way. This will require “No Entry’ except cyclists “signs to be placed at junction with Rona Road.
2. Install one new ANPR camera at Mansfield Road junction with Savernake Road to enforce the new Healthy School Street timed closure and designation of a Pedestrian and Cycle Zone Only as described above.
3. Introduce a new waiting/loading at any time restriction at Rona Road junction with Savernake Road to ensure the junction is kept free of parked vehicles and visibility is maintained at all times.

Please click HERE to view the plan for option 1.

Option 2 – ANPR Cameras only on Savernake Road to enforce timed closure:

1. The section of the road will be closed during the proposed hours as described above, however the closure will be enforced through the installation two ANPR cameras instead of one as the road would remain two way.
2. The ANPR cameras would have to be installed on Savernake Road at two points, near junction with Rona Road and junction with Mansfield Road.
3. The relevant signage will be erected at both ends of the closed area to warn drivers of the restriction.

Please click HERE to view the plan for option 2

These proposals are being fully funded by Transport for London and if approved, they are expected to be implemented in April 2018.

Why your views matter

THIS IS YOUR OPPORTUNITY TO COMMENT

The Council will be pleased to hear your views on the proposals we are consulting on as well as any alternative suggestions or objections you may have to any aspect of this scheme. Please clearly indicated your preferred proposed option in your consultation response by stating either Option 1 ANPR Cameras and one way working or Option 2 ANPR Cameras only. The response submission deadline for this consultation is FRIDAY 23 FEBRUARY 2018.

RESPONSE SUBMISSION:

Please submit your response to this consultation no later than 23.02.2018 via one of the following three options below:

Option 1 Online – submit your response by answering a series of consultation questions and providing your comments on the online survey - link located below

Option 2 Email – submit your response via email to: tabrez.hussain@camden.gov.uk

Option 3 Post – submit your response using the following free post address (no stamp required) to the London Borough of Camden, Supporting Communities Directorate, Transport Strategy Service, FREEPOST RLZH-UEYC-ACZZ, London, WC1H 8EQ.

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.

An Equality and Diversity form has been included HERE that is voluntary for you to complete and send to us with your response via email or using free post address as outlined above. Any information you provide on this form will help us in making an informed decision on the scheme.

What happens next

Who is being consulted?

All properties affected properties on Savernake Road and those side roads branching off Savernake Road. Ward Members, businesses, local and statutory groups will also be consulted.

While it will not be possible to reply to your individually, all comments will be taken into account. At the end of this consultation period, a report will be written analysing the comments received and officers’ 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 the scheme.

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 do not hesitate contact Tabrez Hussain on the above contact details.