Summary of our campaign:

• have a look at: CCC Campaign summary.
• have a look at the existing cycleways and our proposed links at Proposals for new links (Google Maps).

Pedestrian and Cycle Observation Study

The City of London commissioned consultants Intelligent Space ATKINS to conduct a series of user surveys on Hampstead Heath during the summer and autumn of 2007 in order to determine user patterns, particularly of pedestrians and cycles, user demographics and public opinion. They looked at the suitability of existing routes and some suggested routes for pedestrians and cycles to share. The aims of the Study reflect commitments made in the draft Part I Hampstead Heath Management Plan. An Executive Summary of this Pedestrian and Cycle Observation Study was produced in December 2007.

Download executive Summary from Hampstead Heath page on City of London website

Download full Pedestrian and Cycle Study (45 Mbyte PDF)

Three CCC committee members (Stefano, John and Jean) attended a Seminar on the report on 12 December 2007. We were very disappointed by the findings. Brief Summary of the Seminar

To summarise:

Intelligent Space recommend:

• Link 1 and Savernake Bridge links are suitable for consideration for shared use
• Links 2, 3 and 6 are good enough on their own merits, but are not recommended because heavy max pedestrian flows on (2), the likihood of riding from (3) to an non-designated path and the additional load on cycleway C if (6) is becomes a shared use path.
• Links 4 and 5 are not up to standard.

The details are in the Exec Summary. We have the full report on a disc.

See CCC's response Pedestrian and Cycle Observation Study sent to City of London by 1st February 2008.

In December 2007, we were told that a final decision on cycle links will be reached in July 2008 The timetable for reaching a decision

March 31st 2008, Hampstead Heath Management Committee decided that detailed designs for Links 1 and 7 should be implemented for further consideration in May.

June 23rd 2008. Hampstead Heath Management Committee received report from Superintendant on detailed designs and costs for Links 1 and 7, speed surveys and equlity impact. Further reports requested for meeting 28th July. Final decision on 22nd September. The speed surveys are worrying - many cyclist cycle above 12 mph, which we now discover is the speed limit (not 8 mph as show on signs).

August 2008 City of London Consultation on Parliament Hill Triangle shows a scheme for Link 1. See details of consultation. City London hope to obtain Lottery Funding to carry out this scheme. They will defer decisions until November 2008.

CCC's response to Stage 1 of consultation

CCC Response to Heath Management Plan (4.4 Mbyte PDF).

• See also Letter to City of London about Strategic Issues in the Management Plan

Some Reports prepared by CCC for the above response

• A study of school catchment areas and routes to school. The potential of the Heath for Safer Routes to schools
• A study of times to cycle to the Heath, compared with using bus/train Journey times. Cycling almost always came out best.
• Cycle counts, October 2006. Cycle Counts