- Presentation from Southwark Council
- Presentation from Transport for London (TfL)
- Public discussion
Minutes:
Simon Phillips, Transport Policy Manager, gave an overview of transport in Camberwell.
· As well as trips made by residents, the area is home to Kings College Hospital, Camberwell Magistrates Court and the South London and Maudsley Hospital (SLaM) which together have approximately 10,000 staff.
· Over half of households in Camberwell do not have access to a car.
· The town centre sits on a strategic crossroads providing both key north/south and east/west links, with Camberwell Church Street and Camberwell New Road (A202) bisecting the town centre. Vehicle dominance – 20,000 vehicles per day. Pollution – noise and air.
· Three quarters of all collisions in the town centre involve vulnerable road users – pedestrians, cyclists and bus users. Hotspots at the main junction, Camberwell Grove, Coldharbour Lane, Medlar Street.
· Camberwell has one rail station, but no underground connections. Could there also be another rail station?
· Camberwell is a major interchange for routes going north-south and east-west. 15 bus routes. It is also the location for two bus garages. Overcrowding at many of the stops and this in turn can impact pedestrians trying to walk through the area.
· Between 1,200 and 1,600 pedestrians an hour are using the footways on either side of Denmark Hill. Nearly 75% of people cross the road away from designated crossing points, which can be seen by the number of pedestrian collisions recorded close to crossing points.
· Camberwell is located within relatively easy cycle distance from central London, there is great potential for encouraging cycling. LCN / Quietways / CS5. 500+ movements through town centre at peak times.
On the proposed Town Centre scheme:
· Preferred options formal consultation January to March 2013 – 400 responses. 60% supported overall proposals.
· Modelling showed significant queuing in the town centre as a result of the proposals – unacceptable to TfL. This has led to delays in the process. Scheme revised as a result with changes to East West corridor.
· Removal of straight ahead crossings – changes to traffic lanes – reduction in footway widening outside the Green.
· Rest of scheme still on track. Enhanced crossings throughout. Wider footways. Rationalised bus stops. Median strips. Reduced collision risks. Space for greening.
· Latest modelling shows positive results, but still needs to be signed off by TfL. As soon as this happens we can proceed to detailed design and appoint contractor for the works. Currently expect to be on site Spring 2016 on completion of the works to Camberwell Green.
Steve Kearns and Dan Johnson, from Transport for London (TfL), summarised some of the main transport issues in the area.
• There has been a 50% increase in Tube demand on Saturday nights – since 2003 (from 21:00hrs to last trains)
• From 2015, begin to run trains through the night at weekends on core parts of the network
• Supporting London’s vibrant night-time economy
• TfL is considering options for extending the Bakerloo line beyond Elephant & Castle
• Proposal includes tunnel to Lewisham via Camberwell/Peckham or Old Kent Road to Lewisham and on to Beckenham Junction and Hayes via the existing rail
• Key aim - to support population and employment growth
• Could serve through up to three opportunity areas; Old Kent Road, Lewisham, Catford & New Cross; Bromley Town Centre
• Putting southeast London on the tube map, improving public transport accessibility and journey times
• Potential to unlock National Rail capacity and provide congestion relief across the wider SE London rail network
• 30 September – 7 December 2014: Public consultation www.tfl.gov.uk/bakerloo-extension
• Construction could start as early as 2023 (subject to the necessary powers)
• 2015: consultation analysis and options presented to Mayor of London – information publicly available
• No funding currently identified - funding strategy will need to be developed
• Further consultation required if / as the project progresses
• Extended Bakerloo line could open as early as 2030
East-West Cycle Super Highway
• Tower Hill - Acton
• Consultation took place September to November 2014
• https://consultations.tfl.gov.uk/cycling/eastwest
North-South Cycle Super Highway
· Elephant & Castle – King’s Cross
· Consultation took place September to November 2014.
· https://consultations.tfl.gov.uk/cycling/northsouth.
In response to a question from the youth community council about the inaccuracy of the electronic countdown service and overcrowding on the 484 bus route, Steve explained that buses were sometimes delayed due to congestion and that he would mention the 484 service to planners and look into the potential for increased capacity on that bus route.
Councillor Mark Williams, cabinet member for regeneration, planning and transport explained that with regard to the scheme for Camberwell town centre there had been several meetings with officers and TfL. There were various policies that had to be worked through and negotiated but the council should get 90-95% of what it wanted from the scheme. The scheme would include significant build outs that would improve safety.
Councillor Wingfield added that more devolution of funding to London was needed to invest in a 21st century transport system.