Montague Place

[Bromptonaut]

A sort of subset of the Torrington Way segregated route runs along Montague Place at the back of the British Museum. Installed less than ten yers ago at a cost of £££££ Camden LBC have now deemed it an eyesore and are digging it up. Cycle access has however been maintained thus far via the former coach drop off along the north side of the Museum.

However, on Monday the contractors (F M Conway) moved the site fencing reducing the route to about 1.5m - not enough for 2 bikes to pass.

Eventually got hold of somebody in Camden to report it; the most abrasive encounter I've had with a public servant in many years. Lady with an eastern european accent (Polish?) who's attitude was basically that if I persisted in complaining they'd close it altogether. You'd think I was a naughty boy offered chocolate and complained the bar was too small. Wouldn't listen to what I was saying about my route insisting there was clear signage etc on Gower St (you won't see that coming from Malet St!!!)

Eventually she agreed to ask the contractors to move the fence but still nothing at 17:00 tonight.

Anyone else use it and willing to have a go at reinforcing the message that it's not fit for purpose atm???

 

[her_welshness]

Speak to the Cycling Officer at Camden Council, most boroughs in London have their own cycling rep. They should be able to do something about this. I do hope that the abrasive person was not the cycling officer? Also, have Camden Cyclists got a yahoo group? I think it woukd be a good idea to join up there, and hopefully Camden Cyclists can take it up on your behalf as well as the local councillors maybe?

 

[Bromptonaut]

Speak to the Cycling Officer at Camden Council, most boroughs in London have their own cycling rep. They should be able to do something about this. I do hope that the abrasive person was not the cycling officer? Also, have Camden Cyclists got a yahoo group? I think it woukd be a good idea to join up there, and hopefully Camden Cyclists can take it up on your behalf as well as the local councillors maybe?

The abrasive person was in highways or engineering. Thanks for the tip about the Council's cycling officer. Wil give that and the Camden Cyclists avenue a go.

This morning there was a cement mixer delivering inside the work compound and needing all the space therein to manouevre - presumably why the fence is so far out from the actual excavation.

Suspect they've had to commit to keep the route open for cyclists but either that's not really feasible or, more likley, they've failed to adequately plan for it.

 

[Bromptonaut]

Time to return to the fray on this.

Last night Montague St was closed northbound from the junction with Gt Russell St. They're now removing the segregated cycle way in the s/w corner of Russell Sq and have narrowed that section of Montague St to facilitate the works. As in Montague Place the remainig space is too narrow for cyclists to pass.

Once again there's no advance warning and although there are some diversion signs in Bloomsbury place there's nothing to put them in the context of Montague Place. Neither is there any signage back to the north to suggest that through access is limited.

Left a message and waiting for a call back.