Dear Members
There has been a lot of discussion on this subject via the WhatsApp group. We have worked with two members to produce this briefing note which we hope is accurate and helpful. Ishay from Cathcart St drafted the main text and Kate from Raglan St drafted the information about getting exemptions Many thanks to them both. Any suggested errors pointed out and changes suggested to the note would be welcomed – if expressed politely.
Please see the links for more information. Please also let us have your views on these developments. D&D
The starting point was the closure of Anglers Lane at the top where it approaches the High Street and the closure of Raglan St where it approaches Saint Patrick’s school on the corner with Holmes Rd. This coincided with allowing traffic to turn left into the High Street at the end of Prince Of Wales Rd.
This was the subject of an experimental traffic order (ETO) that came into existence on 19 May 2022.
That was a part of the healthy streets development around Holmes Rd where there are two schools – Saint Patrick’s and CFBL (AKA the “French School”).
These amounted to restrictions on motor traffic for a stretch of Holmes Road past Saint Patrick’s between 8.00-10.00 am and 2.00-4.00 pm during weekdays in term times.
On 19 Sep 2023 Camden published a consultation on the trial scheme, with the aim to make it permanent. Within that same consultation Camden proposed additional changes as an experiment ETO.
9 November 2023 the cabinet made permanent this trial arrangement, and approved the additional measures as an 18 months trial.
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These are an experimental traffic order (ETO) for implementation on 13 January 2025 and to continue as an experiment until 12 July 2026. With a consultation period after 12 months.
What are the changes?
Holmes Rd:
No motor vehicles entry at any time westbound to the west of the junction with Raglan street (the edge of Saint Patrick’s school grounds). So Holmes Rd becomes effectively one-way eastbound, subject to closure during healthy schools hours;
Cathcart Street:
- No motor vehicle entry during healthy school street hours from about halfway up Cathcart Street (no.8) to Holmes Rd..
- No motor vehicle entry from Holmes road southbound at any time in Cathcart Street. So Cathcart Street becomes effectively one-way northbound subject to closure during healthy schools hours
Willes Road:
- No motor vehicles going south directly to the south of the junction with Holmes Rd, during healthy school street hours.
- No motor vehicle entry at any time from Inkerman Rd. – a bollard in place – making upper Willes Road effectively into a cul-de-sac.
There are exemptions for people living in the stretches that are effectively closed to traffic at certain times. This is in addition to general exemptions for transport of blue badge holders, disabled children, dial a ride and plusbus for local people.
In addition there are a great many proposals for suspending parking spaces.
Trial:
- Cathcart near Holmes Rd. – 5.5 metres of parking removed to improve sightlines.
- Cathcart near no. 7 – 11 metres of parking removed to allow turning.
- Willes near Inkerman Rd. – 11 + 11 metres of parking removed to allow turning.
Permanent:
- Anglers – 5.5 metres of parking removed for scooter & cycle bay
- Cathcart near the bend – 5.5 metres of parking removed to improve sightlines.
- Cathcart near Inkerman – 6.4 + 5.5 metres of parking removed to improve sightlines.
- Raglan near figtree walk – 11 metres of parking removed for kerb build-out.
- Alma near Inkerman – 7.1 + 6.9 metres of parking removed to improve sightlines.
- Inkerman near Alma -6.3 metres of parking removed to improve sightlines.
- Inkerman near Willes 2.3 + 5.5 metres of parking removed to improve sightlines.
- Inkerman near Cathcart – 3.9 metres of parking removed to improve sightlines.
- Willes near Inkerman 5.4 metres of parking removed to improve sightlines.
Important to note:
Holmes rd HSS hours (4 hours a day):
8.00-10.00 am and 2.00-4.00 pm during weekdays, school term times only
Willes Rd, Cathcart St HSS hours (2 hours a day):
8.00-9.00 am and 3.30-4.30 pm, during weekdays, school term times only
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Questions from local residents
Residents who are not blue badge holders needing transport to hospital or doctor by cab or by car driven by friends and family (ie not therefore driving their own car) during relevant time restrictions?
Confirmation that any resident with a car in the restricted areas is able to claim exemption.
Links:
Dec 2021 Consultation: includes further links to drawings, decision report
https://consultations.wearecamden.org/supporting-communities/holmesroad
Sep 2023 Consultation: includes further links to drawings, consultation report, decision report
https://consultations.wearecamden.org/supporting-communities/holmesroadhealthyschoolstreet
May 2022 Traffic order – Experimental changes
Nov 2024 Traffic order – Permanent changes
Nov 2024 Traffic order – Experimental changes
Timeline summary:
Dec 2021
Consultation for St. Patrick’s HSS (Healthy School Street)
Mar 2022
Decision to approve the trial ETO
May 2022
St. Patrick’s HSS trial started
Sep 2023
Consultation for St Patrick’s HSS to be made permanent + new trial including CFBL HSS and additional measures.
Nov 2023
Decision to make the St. Patrick’s HSS trial permanent
Approve the implementation of additional measures as a new trial
Nov 2024
TO + ETO Traffic orders issued coming into force on 13 January 2025
Jan 2025
TO + ETO Traffic orders coming into force
https://www.camden.gov.uk/healthy-school-streets
Exemptions
You can apply for an exemption to a Healthy School Street for any of the following:
- vehicles registered to properties and businesses in the restricted area
- any vehicle being used for ambulance, fire brigade or policing purposes
- refuse collection vehicles
- Statutory door-to-door services, such as Plus Bus and Dial A Ride
- Blue Badge holders that require access to an address within the restricted area
- vehicles belonging to parents or carers of disabled pupils unable to walk, cycle, or scoot to school
- other exemptions agreed on a case-by-case basis, such as older or disabled residents who are reliant on door-to-door transport
Refuse vehicles, emergency services, statutory door-to-door services and home to school transport for children and young people with special educational needs or disabilities (SEND) do not need to apply for exemption.
Exemptions are free and take about a week to process. We had a few teething issues here with being sent fines a few times initially after we got the exemption but just emailed them to Healthy School street team and they cancelled them straight away.
This is from Camden page on Healthy School streets which gives more details on exemptions – including for elderly people. Worth reminding people that restrictions are only in term time so not at weekends or during school holidays.
Apply for a Healthy School Streets exemption
https://www.camden.gov.uk/apply-for-a-healthy-school-streets-exemption
Where a Healthy School Street is in place, vehicles are restricted for a limited time on school days.
There are some exceptions to this restriction, but you will need to apply for an exemption.
Who can apply
You can apply for an exemption if you have:
- a vehicle registered to a property or businesses in the restricted area
- a Blue Badge and you require access to an address in the restricted area
- responsibility for a disabled pupil who is unable to walk, cycle or scoot to school
- another exemption agreed with the Council
For the 5 schools in the Neighbourhoods of the Future Scheme, there are also exemptions for pure electric vehicles (not hybrid vehicles) or zero emission capable taxis.
Pure electric vehicles do not need to apply, but you do need to register a zero emission capable taxi. The exemption to these vehicles will finish at the end of the 2024-25 academic year and no other Healthy School Street schemes have this exemption.
Inkerman Area Residents Association Limited
Registered in England No. 10075818 Registered Office: 31 Alma Street, London, NW5 3DH
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