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Gyratory at end of its spin cycle
• AT the Archway Symposium on Friday Sir Terry Farrell pointed out that, until very recently, all road planning in London has given vehicles priority over pedestrians. He also pointed out that this is illogical and unfair.
On Euston Road, which his practice is currently looking to re-organise, pedestrians make up 90 per cent of the users, but are given just 10 per cent of the space.
We are delighted to see that the London Plan, and associated documents, are now giving increasing priority to pedestrians, and that, as part of that, the mayor is planning to remove 12 one-way road systems. These can be highly dangerous to those on foot, and, because of the pinch-points in the surrounding network, are ineffective in easing traffic flow.
The Archway gyratory has been listed as one of the 12 to go, which is excellent news. We are, however, disappointed to see that it is one of just three without its own project manager, particularly given the dangers it presents.
Speaking alongside Sir Terry and Professor Ricky Burdett at the symposium, David Ubaka, head of urban environment, Transport for London, said he and his team had found the layout actively encourages dangerous behaviour by pedestrians of all age groups throughout the day.
Mr Ubaka said Archway needed to be put on the mayoral map. Citing its enormous potential, he and other leading urban regeneration and planning experts gathered in the middle of the gyratory to lend their voices to the 1,000-plus local people who have already signed up to campaign for a better Archway without the hated gyratory.
We are asking that the issue be raised in the London Assembly, with a view to adding Archway to the priority list. Archway is an area which is blighted by road planning. Dealing with that would be the biggest single change which could be effected to improve quality of life here.
KATE CALVERT
Chairwoman, Better Archway Forum |
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