Meeting In Sam Monck's office, Friday 4th April. John Futcher, Dave Stewart, Chris Nicola, Steven Nice, SC and JD.

Introduction from Sam

TfL, Westminster and Camden are working together to stop traffic in the area from increasing, but are not aiming to reduce it. They will not add permeability for motor traffic. Predicts in 2016 congestion will be 25-30% worse.

Tram will run on Southampton Row, which will probably be restricted to bikes, buses and trams. He supports contaflow bus lane in Bloomsbury Way.

He does not plan to reduce motor traffic in the Byng - Tavistock Corridor.

Parallel studies on Russell Square: increase public realm by 30-50%, slow traffic, options: Opt 1- 1-way on 3 arms with reduced road width and narrower or Opt 2 2-way all round. Tram station will be on east side Russell Square so can't close west side.

Discussion - Byng corridor

We decided that since specialised cycle facilities are not crucial in the other streets, we should spend he rest of the meeting discussing the impact of the plans for Byng Place on existing Tavistock Place 2-way segregated cycle track. Sam said his intention is to retain cycling facilities that are at least as good as those there at present. He acknowledges its encouragement of novice cyclists and the 5-fold increase in its use. But any sort of shared use in Byng Place would require cyclists to ride on 2 sides of the road and it would be impractical for cyclists to change sides on entering and leaving Byng Place.

CCC outlined their request for a parallel southern Relief Route from Goodge Street via north side Bedford Square and Montague Place to Guildford Street, which had been included in response to Questionnaire for CRISP in the SSL. JD is to provide John Futcher with a map indicating the route.

Stephen Nice showed us a diagram with cycle lanes on both sides of the road in Tavistock Place adjacent to Byng Place. CCC asked whether mandatory cycle lanes would provide as good a service as the segregated tracks. Dave said they wouldn't but that there isn't room for 1-way segregated tracks on both sides because of the duplication of kerbs.

CCC pointed out that if the vehicle traffic is made one way, we could have proper 1-way segregated tracks on both sides. Dave said that CCC originally asked for motor traffic to be made one way and that the manoeuvres required for taxis to get to Euston Station couldn't be provided any other way. Tracks on the footway are dangerous at junctions.

SC suggested using three levels with a drop from footway to cycle track and another drop down to the road. There will be only 1.5 m available for the cycle track. At junctions, the cycle track would join the road and employ ASLs.

JD pointed out that this is being considered only because of a desire to alter Byng Place, it will not increase capacity for cyclists, it may be safer and more comprehensible.

Summary

Option 1 - retain 2-way, Option 2 - SC's scheme above, Option 3 - mandatory cycle lanes

Phase 1 - designs during 2008 for streetscape in Byng Place.

Dave -continue with CRISP ending in 4-5 months, to bring SSL up to LCDS standard by 2010

Sam to commission a parallel study on Option 2.

CCC requests that relief route also be considered seriously.

Interim

another meeting possibly with John Lee to look at approach.

Decision on Gower Street 2-way in Summer 2008.