SBG CRISP
final
CRISP = Cycle Route Implementation and Stakeholder Plan
LCN+ = London Cycle Network Plus

20 October 2005: LBHF have produced a FINAL CRISP and are satisfied and now consider that the CRISP process at Shepherds Bush Green is finished.

1 November 2005: hfcyclists were not satisfied and we wrote to LCN+ telling them so. Hopefully things will be resolved to provide a safe and sensible solution for cyclists, pedestrians and other users of the space.

We also took the position that the draft CRISP report was inadequate. Our response on the draft CRISP here. Some of our comments from that response have been taken on board. However new things have been introduced and we and other stakeholders did not have a chance to see what the Council intended to do.

One problem is how they intend to deal with problem of the disused toilet which is inconsiderately placed in the centre of the cycle crossing at the wood lane junction.

Their solution is to direct cyclists to the north of the obstacle. The problem is that there is not much space. And pedestrians use the pathway on the north side of the Common and also occupy this space. Vehicles zoom around the blind corner, drivers look towards their left at the traffic they are merging with, and a cyclist, for whatever reason, may be in the way. Remember it could be dark and icy. So much for a SAFE design that the CRISP requires. And when the traffic is congested it is possible that this area around the corner will be blocked by traffic.

The obvious answer is to extend the dropped kerb so that the space to the south of the tree can also be used. It may be sensible to make the area on these crossings and nearby on the Common shared use.

The following plan is from the FINAL CRISP. The photos below illustrate the problem and the area for a possible solution. The pedestrians waiting to cross have just come along the proposed cycle path.

Pedstrians have just come from the path to be used by cyclists.

The blind corner from the other direction

Is this really where LBHF want all cyclists to go?

A safer route would be to open up the path both sides of the tree

Other possible problems exist with this FINAL CRISP.

The two way cycle route that stops abruptly in front of the W12 centre - The plan is to continue it on the roadway, in effect taking out the bus lane, or at least one lane of traffic in this stretch. Many more cyclists use the roadway than this track, something like 15 times as many. Not a reasonable solution.

[This plan shows the area between the Central line station and the W12 centre. The proposed kerb lines for the new bus station are also shown - perhaps late 2007 / 2008]

In front of the Central line station the plan is for shared use on the pavement for a distance of about 60m - will pedestrians like this - is it necessary.

Our suggestion for moving the stop line forward to the brow of the incline at the Holland Park roundabout does not seem to have been progressed at all. The suggestion is to put in an advanced stop line at the present place. Fortunately the Leader of the council is pursuing this.

The following comes from the notes of the hfcyclists meeting of 1 November 2005. This has been sent to LCN+ and we are hoping that the situation will be rectified.

http://www.hfcyclists.org.uk/metNov05.htm

We examined the final plan in great detail.

So after studying and discussing at length the FINAL CRISP REPORT for Shepherds Bush Green, and having regard to the measured cycle flows and accident figures, using our combined experience and knowledge of where cyclists would want to go, and having regard for other users of the environment, we AGREED unanimously the following statements:

1 WE OPPOSE THE CYCLE TRACK IN THE TRAFFIC LANE MARKED "BUSES ONLY" NEAR THE W12 CENTRE
Reducing the road width from 4 lanes to 3 lanes would cause great inconvenience to other road users.

2 WE OPPOSE THE SHARED USE AREA OUTSIDE THE CENTRAL LINE STATION.
Far too crowded with pedestrians to allow cycling on the pavement, and unnecessary.

3 WE OPPOSE THE TOUCAN CROSSINGS BETWEEN THE CENTRAL LINE STATION AND THE W12 CENTRE.
Unnecessary. And not part of any direct route.

4 WE OPPOSE THE TWO-WAY CYCLE TRACK ON THE NORTH SIDE OF THE GREEN.
Unnecessary, and restricts the freedom of pedestrians. It also seems to be the reason for directing cyclists to the north of the toilet block.

5 WE OPPOSE DIRECTING CYCLISTS TO THE NORTH OF THE DISUSED TOILET BLOCK.
Dangerous blind corner, restricted sight lines, vehicle drivers perhaps looking away to their left at merging traffic. The area of the crossing may be blocked at times by stationary traffic. The path used by pedestrians. Instead we advocate extending the dropped kerb to the south, and having shared use either side of the large tree. Many cyclists are going to or coming from the south.

We believe that by incorporating these points a revised CRISP would be closer to the guidelines of providing a safe and direct route. It would also be somewhat closer to taking full account of local knowledge, constraints and concerns [key phrase from LCN+ Annual Report 2004 - 5 ].

Over the last few days John Griffiths has been having discussions with Cllr Stephen Burke, the leader of the Council. Stephen has indicated that the stop line at the approach to the Holland Park roundabout will be moved forward as far as possible. This would be very helpful as it would move a waiting cyclist up the incline nearer to the brow of the rise. This is a point which we had made early on at the Pre-CRIM and CRIM meetings but has not been addressed at all by this CRISP. The CRISP response has been to put in an advanced stop line at the same position.

We note that the LCN+ Annual Report 2004 - 5 gives the cost for this CRISP study as £106,570. This Annual report also gives as £10, 000 the fee paid to LBHF as sector leader.