As a result of questions asked to the Mayor by Caroline Pidgeon, Transport for London have admitted that a large junction at King's Cross does not meet their own safety standards, and refused to answer on why they have done nothing to comply with those standards.
You can read full coverage on the King's Cross Environment blog.
And on the same blog, you can read about Caroline's continued scrutiny and Boris Johnson's complacency on cycle safety issues.
Caroline's questions and answers to the Mayor in full:
Junction at King’s Cross (1)
Question No: 313 / 2012Caroline Pidgeon
Does the York Way/Pentonville Road/Grays Inn Road junction comply with TfL’s 2005 London Cycling Design Standards with regards to lane and carriageway width?Written response from the Mayor
The London Cycling Design Standards 2005 (LCDS) is a best practice guidance document intended to ensure that consistently high standards are applied to new schemes in order to reduce barriers to cycling. The existing junction layout at Kings Cross was implemented some time before this best practice guidance was published. The design for the imminent pedestrian and cycle improvements at the junction did use the 2005 LCDS Guidance.The forthcoming improvements at this junction provide:
- a wider approach to York Way in order to provide additional space for road users and cyclists
- new advanced stop lines for cyclists
- a “straight across” “one phase” crossing for pedestrians
- more space and comfort for pedestrians when waiting at and crossing the junction
This work will be completed before the 2012 Games, which are expected to bring a large number of additional pedestrians to the Kings Cross area.
TfL will include the junction within its review of cycle safety at planned TLRN major junctions with a view to making further changes after the Games if appropriate.
TfL has also commenced a wider ranging strategic review of the Kings Cross Gyratory System.
Junction at King’s Cross (2)
Question No: 314 / 2012Caroline Pidgeon
If the junction at York Way/Pentonville Road/Grays Inn Road does not comply with TfL’s standards when did you first become aware of this fact?Written response from the Mayor
Please refer to my answer to MQ 313/2012.
Junction at King’s Cross (3)
Question No: 315 / 2012Caroline Pidgeon
If the junction at York Way/Pentonville Road/Grays Inn Road does not comply with TfL’s standards please explain why TfL has failed to act to make the junction compliant with its own standards?Written response from the Mayor
Please refer to my answer to MQ 313/2012.
Junction at King’s Cross (4)
Question No: 316 / 2012Caroline Pidgeon
Please explain what correspondence TfL has had with the Metropolitan Police about the compliance of this junction at York Way/Pentonville Road/Grays Inn Road?Written response from the Mayor
I believe that you are referring to compliance with the London Cycling Design Standards 2005.TfL discussed the forthcoming pedestrian improvement scheme with the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) as part of its standard design process. Following discussions with the MPS, TfL adapted the designs for the planned pedestrian scheme in order to create some additional space for cyclists and other traffic travelling north from Grays Inn Road into York Way.
There has been no correspondence with the MPS regarding compliance with the London Cycling Design Standards.
Junction at King’s Cross (4)
Question No: 317 / 2012Caroline Pidgeon
Please explain if there are other junctions on the TfL road network that are not compliant with TfL’s own standards and when they will be rectified?Written response from the Mayor
I believe that you are referring to the London Cycling Design Standards 2005 (LCDS).The LCDS is a best practice guidance document intended to ensure that consistently high standards are applied to new schemes in order to reduce barriers to cycling. TfL develops its schemes with reference to this guidance and always endeavours to provide the best possible cycling facilities within the constraints of the given location.
As you may be aware, TfL is undertaking a review of cycle safety at all junctions on the Barclays Cycle Superhighways implemented to date and at other major junctions on the TLRN where work is planned. More information on this review will be available soon.