The Phoenix School Safer routes to School scheme originally proposed 1-way working downhill on College Crescent. CCC opposed that as we do all proposals to introduce 1-way streets. it was however agreed by Exec Envt Cttee last March.

But then there were various political manoeuvres and somehow, the new Exec Envt Cttee agreed a far worse (uphill) 1-way scheme in November. So CCC and others persuaded councillors to call in the scheme, which resulted in it being taken to a Scrutiny Panel on 14th January.

By this time, we had decided to support a 1-way downhill scheme (with 2-way cycling) because it will reduce the traffic flow past the school significantly as well as preventing the dangerous left turn from Finchley Road.

Our excursion to the Scrutiny Panel on 14th January was very worthwhile. To start with, the chair Russell Eagling declared an interest as member of CCC.

Richard Fletcher gave an excellent presentation on behalf of our deputation, followed by another by Andrew Tugwell of the Phoenix school, both in favour of 1-way downhill scheme with a contraflow cycle lane. The residents of Belsize, Fitzjohns, et al. were represented by Helen Cordell who put the case for the car drivers in the area.

After many speeches/arguments from councillors on the panel (including Alexis Rowell and Maya de Souza) and from Alex Williams, the panel voted to reject the original 1-way uphill scheme (5:2) and then whether to accept recommendations which included the following(vote 4:3 in favour):

• install safety measures at both ends of College Crescent
• 1-way down hill scheme
• contraflow cycle lane subject to removing the loading bay to Finchley Road.

Paul Braithwaite was also there to support us, but was not on the panel. We were disappointed that Keith Sedgwick, another panel member (a Cons councillor who comes to WCRSAG and is generally pro cyclists) voted against us. However, Penelope Abraham (Lab) supported us.

All this will go back to the Exec Envt Cttee and we will have to be ready to turn up there with yet another deputation.