This is the response of Brent Cyclists to this consultation (closing 4 December 2017).

This is the response on this scheme from Brent Cyclists, the local group of the London Cycling Campaign. We have to oppose this scheme because we want to see segregated cycle tracks on the length of the A5 through Brent and beyond, to support inclusive cycling on this critical link. The A5 through Brent and Barnet as far north as Edgware is already designated as the ‘LCN+ 5 cycle route’, which already means that cycling should be given a high degree of consideration here (but is not). There is sufficient room for cycle tracks in the width of the street in most places, including, and indeed especially, at The Hyde, where, currently, a vast amount of the road space is given over to long-term parked motor vehicles. As the A5 is already a major artery for cycling, and especially as it has been identified as a priority corridor for future cycling investment in TfL’s recent ‘Analysis of Cycling Potential’ document, it is essential that any developments now should contribute, if only in a small way, to the creation of a protected cycle route all along the A5 from Edgware to Marble Arch.

 

Though this scheme tidies up The Hyde area somewhat, we find it unacceptable for it to be planned that so much of the width of the road will be devoted to car parking, with no specific provision whatever for cycling. The current parking on the islands between the service road and the main road needs to be dealt with, but can be dealt with anyway, without any scheme, as it is simply illegal. We urge a re-think of the use of this whole area of road, with the need to allocate dedicated space to cycling in mind, and to accommodate parking only when that, and the needs of other moving traffic, including pedestrians, have been adequately addressed.