Primrose Hill Road zebra crossing
(Primrose Hill Road near its junction with Ainger Road)
NON KEY DECISION OF THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF CULTURE AND ENVIRONMENT
(STREETS)
SUMMARY OF REPORT
This report outlines the proposal, consultation results & analysis and recommendations for the
Primrose Hill Road zebra crossing. The works proposed are construction of a new zebra
crossing on Primrose Hill Road, including road markings, beacons, red tactile paving, ducting
and antiskid surfacing on the approaches.
AFFECTED WARDS:
Camden Town with Primrose Hill and Swiss Cottage
RECOMMENDATION:
Approval of the Assistant Director of Culture and Environment (Streets) is sought to:
Approve the implementation of the proposed raised zebra crossing on Primrose Hill Road,
near its junction with Ainger Road, as outlined in this report and subject to compliance with all
relevant statutory procedures.
This recommendation is based on the following facts:
a. The high support for the zebra crossing from the public consultation. 80.0% of returned
questionnaires were marked in favour of the proposal
b. The site was requested by local community groups and has been adopted in the Council’s
Local Implementation Plan
c. An application to TfL for funding of the scheme has been approved.
BACKGROUND
The proposed zebra crossing on Primrose Hill Road is part of a Transport for London funded
Walking Scheme and is contained within Camden Council's Local Implementation Plan, which
are both aimed at improving pedestrian safety and access to local amenities based on
requests from local communities.
The aim of this scheme is to provide a safer crossing route to the central entrance to Primrose
Hill Park on Primrose Hill Road. The area is particularly busy with pedestrians as the site is
near many residential premises and is the primary entrance to Primrose Hill Park from the
Ainger Road area.
CONSULTATION
Consultation process
Consultation was undertaken during March/April 2006, for a period of 1 calendar month, and
ended on Friday 17 April 2006. Approximately 136 leaflets were distributed to local residents,
businesses, interest groups and Ward Councillors. A further 40 leaflets were distributed to
Statutory Consultees, plus an extra 14 consultation packs were downloaded from Camden’s
website and returned. The consultation pack included the following:
•
•
•
•
•
A leaflet outlining the proposals, a drawing showing the proposed measures in the
area & the area of residents consulted
A questionnaire with space for free comments and personal details information
First Contact Sheet
A Monitoring Form for Service Users
A freepost envelope – to encourage the maximum number of responses
A list of addresses for the local residents and businesses that were consulted in contained in
Appendix A, a list of interest groups and Ward Councillors in Appendix B, a list of statutory
consultees groups in Appendix C and the consultation pack in Appendix D.
Consultation analysis
Of approximately 176 leaflets distributed, plus the 14 extra downloaded off Camden’s website
and returned, a total of 64 responses were received by the closing date, which represents a
return rate of approximately 33.7%. The consultation results are tabulated in Appendix E and
summarised in Table 1. Analysis of the results shows that the majority of respondents are in
the favour of the proposal.
Table 1 – Summary of the results
Question
Q1. Do you agree with
the proposal?
Number
Returned
Yes
No
No
Opinion
64
33.7%
51
80%
7
11%
6
9%
Consultation discussion
Negative responses of the consultation included the following comments:
•
Several residents expressed concern about the effects of the constant flashing of the
beacon lighting on nearby residents and possible health risks.
Officer Response: The beacon lighting would be hooded so that only road users will see the
flashing and to prevent the flashing effect onto adjacent properties.
•
Several residents expressed a concern for a lack of visibility on the approach to the
crossing for vehicles travelling eastbound downhill along Primrose Hill Road and that
speed control needs to be introduced.
Officer Response: The minimum acceptable sight distance at a zebra crossing on a 30mph
residential road would be 50m. The current design has 60m on the eastbound (downhill)
approach and 50m on the westbound (uphill) approach from the northern side (the residential
side) of the crossing. On the southern side (the Primrose Hill side) of the crossing, sight
distances are 75m on the eastbound (downhill) approach and 120m on the westbound (uphill)
approach, as a benefit of the curvature of the road. The sight distance requirements are
therefore met for this scheme. As for speed control, a speed survey would need to be
undertaken to see if further measures are required to control the speed of vehicles along the
road. If speeds were found to be excessive the information would be passed to the Street
Policy team to assess whether a remedial scheme should be pursued. Anti-skid surfacing
would be provided on the approaches to the crossing as a precaution.
•
One resident expressed their view that “The access to Primrose Hill Park should be
closed at the intersection with Primrose Hill Road near Ainger Road. This would control
the pedestrians on the blind corner coming down Primrose Hill. This would significantly
improve safety”.
Officer Response: Primrose Hill is a well-used local amenity and closure of the only central
access from Primrose Hill Road would be unlikely to be supported by residents of the area.
The only other access points residents in the vicinity of this entrance are at either end of
Primrose Hill Road, 240m one way or 100m the other way. The proposal for the zebra crossing
is therefore being pursued to improve safety for pedestrians crossing the road to access this
entrance.
•
One resident expressed their view that “There is a zebra crossing south of Elsworthy
Road, very close to the one proposed. At your suggested point almost no-one ever
crosses Primrose Hill Road”.
Officer Response: The crossing at Elsworthy Road is 240m away from the proposed site.
That is a significant enough distance to warrant another crossing in a park area with many
elderly people and children. Local groups in the area believe that the crossing is needed for
the safety of the local community have requested this site.
•
Disability in Camden were concerned with the standard of paving in the vicinity of the
proposed zebra the area, particularly the use of old riven York stone and uneven block
paving. They would like to see it all replaced with level paving
Officer Response: These comments would be taken into account during detailed design and
construction. If any paving requires replacement it would be done as part of the works, as far
as the available budget permits. If the areas are larger than can be addressed with the budget
the concerns would be passed on to Highways Engineering for consideration.
•
There were many comments from respondents, including Councillor Callaghan,
suggesting that the proposed location be moved to the junction near Regent’s Park
Road.
Officer Response: Due to the amount of comments regarding this site, they will be passed on
to Street Policy investigate the possibility of provided a crossing here as well.
•
One resident expressed a view that the crossing would cause undue congestion during
busy periods of the day on the road.
Officer Response: Vehicles would obviously be required to stop for to allow pedestrians to
cross, which could result in very minor delays to individual journeys. There are no traffic signal
controlled junctions in the immediate area, so no significant delays would be caused on the
wider network.
Positive responses of the consultation:
The 80.0% positive response rate from the consultation indicates that the proposal is well
received by the residents and Groups/ Associations in the area. Many residents in the area
expressed the view that the crossing is a very good idea and a long overdue necessity for this
location. A zebra crossing at this location would provide a safer passageway for pedestrians
looking to gain access to Primrose Hill. There are no parking implications, emergency services
have no objections to the proposal and London Buses do not use the route. The proposed
zebra crossing would be positive for the community and enhance the safety of pedestrians in
Camden.
Monitoring Form analysis
Gender:
20 out of 39 respondents (51%), were male
19 out of 39 respondents (49%), were female
Age band:
3 out of 39 respondents (7.7%), were aged 25 - 34
7 out of 39 respondents (17.95%), were aged 35 – 44
4 out of 39 respondents (10.2%), were aged 45 - 54
11 out of 39 respondents (28.2%), were aged 55 – 64
7 out of 39 respondents (17.95%), were aged 65 – 74
6 out of 39 respondents (15.4%), were aged 75 - 84
1 out of 39 respondents (2.6%), were aged 85 and above
Disability:
5 out of 39 respondents (12.8%), did not answer
4 out of 39 respondents (10.2%), answered yes
30 out of 39 respondents (77.0%), answered no
Ethnic group:
31 out of 39 respondents (79.4%), were White British
1 out of 39 respondents (2.6%), were White Irish
6 out of 39 respondents (15.4%), were White other
1 out of 39 respondents (2.6%), were of any other ethnic group
FINANCE IMPLICATIONS
It is anticipated that the scheme would cost £10,000. TfL has allocated £25,000, in the
2006/07 financial year, for the implantation of this scheme and the zebra crossing proposed for
West Heath Road, which is estimated at £15,000. The scheme would be implemented early in
2007.
FINANCE COMMENTS
There are no additional finance comments.
Attachments
Appendix A: List of residents and business consultees
Appendix B: List of Community Groups and Ward Councillors
Appendix C: List of statutory consultees
Appendix D: Consultation pack
Appendix E: Consultation results
Damian Wadley
Engineering Service
October 2006