Caroline puts pressure on TfL over King's Cross cycling safety

The BBC reports on Caroline Pidgeon's questions challenging the Mayor over the continued unsafe conditions for cyclists around King's Cross.

The report points out that despite TfL's claims to be actively working on improvements for all road users, the Mayor was asked about this by Caroline in September 2010 and would not commit to any action:

Question by Caroline Pidgeon on 15 September 2010

You have acknowledged that safety on the King's Cross one-way system through the boroughs of Camden and Islington needs addressing. Pursuant to your answers to MQs (1053/2010), (547/2010) and (2701/2009), can you tell me:

a) What has been the result, if any, of your discussions about "speed issues" on the King's Cross one-way system with the London Borough of Islington?

b) Whether a new design for the Caledonian Road/Pentonville Road junction is now ready, and whether this will improve road safety for pedestrians?

Answer by Boris Johnson

There have been few speed related collisions along Pentonville Road, Penton Rise and King's Cross Road and therefore TfL currently has no additional proposals at this location.

However, a scheme to provide southbound cycle facilities has recently been implemented on Penton Rise which has narrowed the carriageway and is expected to reduce speeds on this section of the gyratory. TfL will monitor the impact of this scheme.

In addition, following customer correspondence and discussions with officers from Camden, TfL has identified a future scheme to investigate the feasibility of providing cycle facilities at Swinton Street and Acton Street.

TfL's ability to progress this scheme in future is dependent on the availability of funding, however.

You can read the full article here.

The road.cc cycling website and the local Kings Cross Environment site also have coverage of the issues around safety in this area.