New Coronavirus safety measures on Kilburn High Road
Camden Council is making changes to the pavement on the east side of Kilburn High Road to make it easier for pedestrians to keep 2m apart from others.
“The pandemic has created new road safety challenges in Camden that we are taking seriously.
“We want to make it easier and safer for everyone to walk and cycle locally, shop on their local high street, reach their local green spaces, schools and NHS sites, all while maintaining physical distancing.
“This also includes the future challenges caused by changes to travel once the lockdown restrictions are eased.”
By Saturday 16 May, the council will have:
- Widened the pavement on the eastern side of the road between Willesden Lane and Belsize Road, using temporary barriers to protect pedestrians from vehicles.
- Where possible increased the total width of pavement to 5.8m to allow people to pass each other and allow queuing. Where queuing is not taking place, the council are aiming for a minimum width of 3.2m where possible.
“Narrow pavements and traffic can make it difficult to keep to the 2m distance on some residential and high streets when exercising or making essential journeys.
“That’s why we have been exploring how we can create more space to facilitate physical distancing, including on Kilburn High Road.
“We are also currently investigating a range of measures at other locations in borough where we can make it easier and safer for people maintaining physical distancing while walking and cycling locally, to shop, reach their local green spaces, schools and NHS sites.”
The council knows from previous local engagement that there are strong local priorities around improving safety, reducing street clutter and improving the local air quality on Kilburn High Road.
As a major town centre it also knows that the pavements are congested, and can make physical distancing difficult. The council have been liaising with Brent Council (who have responsibility for the western side of the road), who will be investigating possible changes on the western side as part of a wider programme of installations across all town centres in Brent.
Brent Council has predicted that as the lockdown begins to ease, the side of Kilburn High Road that belongs to them will be less heavily congested due to the lower number of supermarkets along that side of the road.
In line with our partners and Brent Council, we would therefore encourage all those not visiting the supermarkets to use the western side of Kilburn High Road.
Working together we aim to increase safe access to retailers while also ensuring that, in particular, emergency vehicles are able to pass along the road easily at this time.
Brent is also assessing all town centres, including Kilburn, as part of a wider strategic plan to prioritise them in line with the difficulties they may be experiencing at this time.
You can find out more about the changes to Kilburn High Road on our website here.
https://www.camden.gov.uk/making-travel-safer-in-camden or by emailing [email protected]