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Pedestrian and cycle link will be well used
• WE take exception to the story (Cycle path ‘of more use to drug dealers’, April 10).
Using that title implies that your paper believes the statement it makes.
We do understand that some residents are concerned about the new route but we are confident that what they fear will not materialise. Residents should instead look forward to the completion of this scheme, which will open up a useful route linking communities that are currently separated by railway lines.
The so-called “cycle path” refers to a new pedestrian and cycle link between Agar Grove and Camley Street, which will provide a much-needed route from the Camden Square area to King’s Cross and St Pancras stations as well as to locations in Bloomsbury and the City. We can assure you that, once in place, it will be heavily used by cyclists, whereas the use by drug dealers is purely speculative and the introduction of this route will get rid of an unpleasant no-go area in Camley Street.
The scheme was consulted on in August 2007 and received approval by Camden Council in November 2007 after hearing deputations for and against the scheme. We are pleased to see that the work has started on-site and hope the remainder of the work will proceed promptly.
Residents often fear change but this is a carefully-thought-out plan and it is in line with a modern town plan in that it joins up communities rather than segregating them with barriers.
Stefano Casalotti and Jean Dollimore
Joint co-ordinators, Camden Cycling Campaign, NW5
Improvement
• THE story on the new link between Agar Grove and Camley Street suggested that the route will be of most use to drug dealers, who are reported to be prevalent in Camley Street.
What downbeat tosh, propagated primarily by Councillor Roger Robinson.
The opening up of this pathway should transform the unacceptable situation that the Safer Neighbourhoods police currently regard Camley Street as a no-go area.
This will result from the constant flow of people reclaiming our streets and from new bright lighting. The pathway will hence, in my opinion, actually improve security for the residents of the Agar Grove estate.
The route has been argued for several years for the benefit of many who live in Camden Square and points north as a vital new link for pedestrians and cyclists alike to improve access to St Pancras and the King’s Cross development to save them the ultra-unpleasant experience of the racetrack that is St Pancras Way.
Within a couple of years, just a few hundred metres south of Agar Grove, the heritage 1852 Granary building will become the home base for thousands of university students who will travel in from all directions.
And I’m pleased to report that the King’s Cross developer, Argent, has just agreed to my request to accelerate the funding of a feasibility study for a new “Overground” railway station to be prospectively built at Maiden Lane.
But I expect Cllr Robinson will oppose that, too, as he has the cycle link and the tram – but change happens, Roger, and sometimes it’s “a good thing”.
Readers should understand that the Camley Street link was very thoroughly consulted upon, due process was observed and, with overwhelming public support, the democratic decision was taken last November to proceed with its construction.
The opportunity for Cllr Robinson to seek to reverse the decision was by call-in, which he did not exercise and his rearguard action is just cantankerous.
The link will be built and it will be a welcome improvement for the benefit of hundreds of people every day – just as the cycle link across Somers Town has proved to be.
Cllr Paul Braithwaite
Lib Dem, Cantelowes ward
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