Chatsworth Road/Millfields Road/Powerscroft Road New Signalised Junction

Overview

This consultation document is about gathering views from the public on proposals to improve the environment for cyclists and pedestrians at the Chatsworth Road/Millfields Road/Powerscroft Road junction.

Why your views matter

The Council is committed to making Hackney’s roads safer for everyone living, working and visiting the borough. Creating an environment that will encourage more walking and cycling is a key part of the Council’s transport vision and an essential part of Hackney’s Transport Strategy.

In spring 2013 the Mayor of London published his Cycling Vision for London – a 10 year strategy with approximately £1bn of investment, to increase the levels of cycling in London. One of the primary objectives of the strategy is to create a “tube network for the bike” – a mixture of fast commuter cycle routes offering dedicated cycle facilities on key main routes, complemented by a number of “Quietways”, which together will form a network of direct, joined-up cycle routes throughout London.

Within the borough, Quietway 2: Bloomsbury to Walthamstow, starts at the boundary with Islington by Southgate Road and runs eastwards to London Fields via Middleton Road, and then north-eastwards to Lea Bridge Road and the boundary with Waltham Forest.

One of the key objectives of the Quietway routes is to link destinations, following backstreet routes, through parks, along waterways or treelined streets. The Quietways aim to overcome barriers to cycling, targeting cyclists who want to use quieter, low-traffic routes, providing an environment for those cyclists who want to travel at a gentler pace.

A number of key issues have been identified along the route and Transport for London (TfL) has provided the Council with funding to make improvements. These include improving or upgrading specific locations such as junctions and crossings in order to improve safety and visibility and reduce the potential for accidents.

Hackney Council is consulting residents and businesses on a range of potential proposals aimed at improving pedestrian and cycle crossing facilities at the Chatsworth Road junction with Millfields Road and Powerscroft Road.

In addition to meeting the objectives of the ‘Quietways’, encouraging the use of cleaner and greener transport options (particularly cycling and walking) and reducing non-essential private car journeys are key long-term objectives for the Council due to the wide range of benefits these transport options can bring, including;

• Reducing road accidents

• Improving personal mobility

• Creating safer, cleaner, and quieter residential neighbourhoods

• Creating a successful balance between pedestrians and other modes of transport, in order to improve the pedestrian and cyclist experience

• Improving pedestrian and cyclist crossing facilities

The proposals include:

1 Replacing the existing zebra crossing with traffic signals at the Chatsworth Road\ Millfields Road\ Powerscroft Road junction. This will be designed to make the junction easier and safer for pedestrians and cyclists as there have been a total of seven accidents in recent years. Six of these involved cyclists. There will be a Green Man crossing on each approach to the junction and one that will replace the zebra crossing.

2 Introducing a raised table across the junction of Chatsworth Road and Millfields Road to reduce traffic speeds.

3 Creating a new link and crossing for cyclists between Powerscroft Road and Millfields Park. This will be a new shared space with the route for cyclists clearly marked for the benefit of all users. New cycle stands will also be installed.

4 Introducing new footway into the western arm of Millfields Road as part of the shared space. The existing barrier will be replaced with a lockable bollard and new trees.

5 Extending double yellow lines on the south side of Millfields Road, up to the junction with Sewdley Street to facilitate safe bus and traffic movement.

6 Removing two parking bays on Powerscroft Road at the junction with Chatsworth Road to improve cycle access and the bus alignment approaching the junction.

7 Relocating the Disabled bay outside No. 176 Chatsworth Road and removing one parking space to increase visibility at the new crossing point.

8 Extending the footway to reduce the pedestrian crossing distance and reduce traffic speed.

This upgraded crossing will link with a series of other proposals along the Quietway 2 route:

• Lower Clapton Road parallel zebra and cycle crossings

• Morning Lane parallel zebra and cycle crossings

• London Fields/Middleton Road Traffic Management Scheme

What happens next

The consultation results will help us reach a decision on whether to proceed with these proposals in your area. The Council will publish the consultation results and decision on www.hackney.gov.uk. Should the Council agree to proceed with these proposals, residents and businesses nearby will receive notification. Public notices will also be displayed, giving the date work will start.