At present Flask Way is two-way, from Willow Road to the Flask pub. Camden propose to make Flask Walk one-way (westbound) between the junction with Willow Road and Gardnor Road. Vehicles will be prevented from exiting from Flask Walk (and therefore Lakis Close and Gardnor Road directly into Willow Road). Likewise, the cars using the extensive garaging under Kingswell, Back Lane will also be prevented from exiting from Flask Walk directly into Willow Road.
Cllr Stephen Stark has written to Camden as he has concerns with this one-way working as follows:-
- All traffic entering Flask Walk, Gardnor Road and Lakis Close will need to exit via Back Lane. There is a narrow right hand turn from Flask Walk into Back Lane which is impossible for some larger vehicles to negotiate.
- As indicated by a width restriction sign at the entrance to Flask Walk, the roadway narrows between Lakis Close and Back Lane. However, the sign is often ignored by vans, lorries and larger cars. They find it impossible to pass legally parked cars as the roadway narrows. As a result, parked cars are frequently damaged. With more traffic the risk of damage will increase. Furthermore, on occasion, drivers have no option but to reverse back to the Green and leave via the Willow Road exit. If this proposal is implemented, drivers in this situation will have no choice but to break the no exit regulation.
- The left turn only exit from the top of Back Lane into Heath Street was installed to ban right turners. Even so, traffic wanting to turn left from Back Lane is often backed up all the way down to the Flask Pub, if not further along Flask Walk, particularly during the evening rush hours. These proposals would exacerbate both local congestion and local pollution.
- The traffic lights at Hampstead Tube Station are presently a major traffic choke point, at the junction of Heath Street, Hampstead High Street and Holly Hill. By increasing traffic flow up Back Lane, this proposal would significantly worsen congestion.
- CMPs (construction management plans). Considering points 1,2&3, CMPs for Flask Walk projects have stipulated that all construction traffic/delivery vans must exit via Willow Road. This reflects the size of vehicles involved and indeed the difficulty of exiting Flask Walk via Back Lane referred to above. With the proposal, they would be unable to negotiate the right hand turn into Back Lane and the sharply curved compulsory left turn at the end of Back Lane into Heath Street.
- One way traffic roads tends to create a situation for drivers to speed up. This will be noisy and be dangerous. This is a primary route for parents and children to walk to and from school.
- The creation of a healthy street will inevitably increase traffic onto the surrounding streets and increase traffic build up, pollution and delay.
- Businesses use Flask Walk and the parking bay at the top of Back Lane. How will this be affected? Traffic is often delayed as a result of parked vehicles here. This will cause further delay, traffic jams, pollution from the increased one way traffic.
- The increased pavement width is welcomed but pedestrians using this pavement must be safe. How will this be secured? Will the roadway be wide enough?
- Has an analysis been carried out on the number of larger vehicles and commercial vehicles that use this route. Please provide details.
- Has an analysis been carried out on the number of emergency vehicles that may have to use this route. Also how will they negotiate the one way traffic? Please provide details.
Pollution & noise
As mentioned above due to the inevitable increase in traffic that will result from the closure of the Willow Road exit, pollution and noise levels will increase in the stretch of Flask Walk, from Gardnor Road to the corner with Back Lane. Slow and stationary traffic with running engines results in pollution and will have a deleterious effect on residents’ health.
Traffic congestion and queues
All cars that park in Flask Walk, around Flask Walk Green, in Gardnor Road or Lakis Close, would now have one exit from Flask Walk instead of two. Almost every weekday evening, during rush hour, Back Lane is blocked for its entire length and residents can avoid this queue by exiting via Willow Road. Removing this exit unfairly penalizes residents and visitors alike.
The exit from Back Lane permits only a left hand turn south along Heath Street. The present ability to leave Flask Walk via Willow Road is important as it allows vehicles to turn down Willow Road towards South End Green, or access Well Walk and East Heath Road. Many cyclists, both residents and parents who are cycling with or taking their children on cargo bikes from the New End School, use the exit from Flask Walk to access Willow Road or the Bike Paths on the nearby Heath.
Increased Road Danger for Pedestrians and Cyclists
Many of the cars that are using Flask Walk are doing so using mobile-phone Apps like Waze and Google Maps which presently show Flask Walk as two way and, accordingly, the cars usually take the corner from Willow Road on to Flask Walk with some caution. If vehicular traffic were made one-way, it is highly likely that cars will take the road and corner at greater speed.
Traffic levels
I request Camden provide the latest traffic figure for movements along Flask Walk and the projected figures for use of the Back Lane exit onto Heath Street if the Willow Road exit is closed to eastbound traffic.
Back Lane Congestion
I request that Camden disclose the results of consultation to me and with all residents of concerning these proposals.
Risk Assessment
Has Camden conducted a formal independent risk assessment of its proposal? Please provide full details.
I am very concerned that the proposal will increase the level of risk on all residents, businesses, older people and the disabled and vulnerable.
I look forward to your response and the information requested.
Also, some dates you are available so that I can arrange a meeting.
If you have comments on this plan please let Stephen know via [email protected]
