Camden has been forced to extend its consultation on changes to the Elsworthy Road and King Henry's Road area, after it informed unlawfully few and select residents. If you haven't objected yet, you have until 21st March to email comments to [email protected]
This week is the first time we've legally been allowed to deliver letters to you, and residents have asked us to address some misconceptions that Camden has created. You can read the objection written by Camden's Leader of the Opposition at www.camden.team/KHRobjection
- St Paul's Primary School's headteacher has objected, saying the scheme would lead to more polluton for pupils - Although Camden claim the scheme is to benefit the school, the school objected, as it would harm its pupils' health. Read the full Camden New Journal article at www.camden.team/StPaulsPollution
- Residents are not exempt from the closures and would have to loop around Swiss Cottage gyratory to enter the roads - Despite Camden's sly misrepresentations, even residents could only access most of Elsworthy Road and King Henry's Road via Adelaide Road (see overleaf). The cameras are there solely to allow emergency vehicles, not residents, and to raise money. Residents wanting to enter the area from the west would have to add a 900-metre loop around the Swiss Cottage gyratory: significantly increasing journey times, traffic, and pollution.
- The restrictions will apply all the time, not just on weekdays or during school hours - Camden has rebranded the scheme to imply that it benefits the school, but it would be in place at all times. The only element that is time-limited to school run hours is the closure of the far eastern end of Elsworthy Road to traffic other than residents.
Overleaf are some points we've made and that you may wish to make.
Above is Camden's own map, which shows the restrictions apply to residents too, so it's not about tackling through traffic It's not about helping the school either - as the school has objected and the plan forces more traffic past UCL Academy and Swiss Cottage Special School. And it's not about speeding, as we've proposed a comprehensive alternative of traffic calming. Instead, Camden's aim is to force people that own cars to move out of the area.
ELSWORTHY RESIDENTS ARE NOT EXEMPT FROM THE RESTRICTIONS
Many people have said they thought local residents would be allowed to turn from Avenue Road onto Elsworthy Road. This is not true.
All motor vehicles would be banned and would have to enter the area via Adelaide Road or Primrose Hill Road.
This is shown on Camden's map top right, and the "no motor vehicles" signage is shown below it. The cameras are solely to fine people, not allow residents access.
Local traffic would also not be allowed through at Elsworthy Rise: splitting the roads in two.
THE IMPACT OF CAMDEN'S PROPOSAL
Please let Camden know your views. Below are some of the points we have made - you can read more detail at www.camden.team/KHRobjection
- It would lead to more congestion on the roads that are most congested already - The scheme aims to displace traffic - including local traffic - on to Adelaide Road, Primrose Hill Road, and Swiss Cottage Gyratory. These are the busiest roads locally, and already over capacity. More traffic would greatly increase congestion and pollution and harm residents.
- It would add considerable traffic to Swiss Cottage Gyratory - Without being able to turn onto Elsworthy Road, the only way to drive from St John's Wood into the area is by doing a complete circle around the gyratory: adding 900 metres around an already congested, polluted junction.
- It would harm St Paul's - St Paul's head has objected on the grounds that it would mean more pollution for his school. Pupils enter via the playground on Primrose Hill Road. Camden's plan would add congestion there by requiring access via Primrose Hill Road and obstructing traffic with other road changes. This will increase congestion just where children enter and play.
- It would route traffic around two other schools - As well as harming St Paul's, it pushes traffic past UCL Academy and Swiss Cottage Special School, which have 8 times as many pupils.
- It would harm bus users - More traffic on Adelaide Road will slow down the 31, C11, N28, and N31 buses, reduce their punctuality, and likely cause even further cuts to frequency.
- It would cause disproportionate harm to disadvantaged residents - Adelaide Road has the highest proportion of disadvataged residents locally, yet the plan aims to increase traffic there.
- Alternatives should be considered instead - We have instead proposed that speeding and use of Elsworthy and King Henry's Road by lorries should be controlled with width restrictions and speed cameras, which would address these problems without this scheme's harm.
HOW TO RESPOND
You can make comments to Camden via the email address [email protected]. If you can comment by 21st March, they legally must consider your evidence of how it will affect you.
If you feel Camden has misled you, please let us know urgently at [email protected]
Printed and promoted by David Douglas on behalf of Camden Conservatives, both of 1A Heath Hurst Road, Hampstead, NW3 2RU
