Belsize Road / Priory Road Junction

Ref: 6367244

Good morning. I would like to report that the ‘improvement works’ to aid drainage in our area (obviously a good thing, and essential) have now created a very dangerous situation at the entrance to Priory Road (and Kilburn Priory). Previously, both roads had a clearly marked entrance for road-users, and pavement for pedestrians. Now, following the works, there is absolutely NO demarcation whatsoever, in either position! There is no visible guidance showing motorists where to turn into either road, meaning that road users can essentially simply drive across pedestrian areas, and there is nowhere showing pedestrians where they can safely cross, or should wait until it is safe to do so. There is no Tactile paving to show visually impaired pedestrians where they can safely cross, or should wait to do so. Yet, at the entrance to Priory Terrace, which is a less busy road (more traffic uses Priory Road to cut through to Abbey Road and West End Lane, via Abbots Place) the entrance has all of the things Priory Road is now lacking (as detailed above). The works to Priory Terrace were undertaken after those on Priory Road were completed, meaning that this can’t be an issue of lacking funds, as far as I can see. Yesterday afternoon my 4-year-old daughter was almost knocked-over by a car entering Priory Road, because there was no indication to her that the pavement ended and the road began, which is how we teach our children to distinguish pedestrian areas from roads, generally speaking. I have twice now seen cars almost collide with cyclists exiting the now nonexistent junction, because as far as a cyclist is concerned, there is again no demarcation indicating where they can safely exit Priory Road onto Belsize Road. I would like some assurance that this issue is going to be resolved as a matter of urgency, before a serious traffic incident occurs here. Many thanks, and I look forward to receiving your response shortly. Rupert Nash Priory Road Resident