Dutch-Style Junction Transformation Proposed for Dangerous Camden Intersection
Camden Council has unveiled ambitious plans to transform what it describes as an "intimidating" and "unpleasant" junction in Camden, drawing inspiration from Dutch cycling infrastructure. The proposed redesign of the York Way, Agar Grove and Brewery Road intersection comes after 15 recorded collisions at the site over the past five years.
The council's October proposals aim to make the junction, which borders Islington, safer for pedestrians and cyclists through a comprehensive overhaul. The designs feature new mini zebra crossings, pedestrian islands and segregated cycle tracks with dedicated traffic signals.
Business Owners Voice Concerns Over Livelihood Impact
While cycling campaign groups have welcomed the safety improvements, local business owners operating at the junction have expressed significant concerns about the potential impact on their livelihoods.
"It will ruin my business," said Taniea Dulal, who purchased the long-established Grove Tyres last year. Speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, she revealed she was completely surprised by the proposals, having previously received council permission for customers to change tyres on the yellow lines outside her Agar Grove shop.
Ms Dulal fears that if the space outside her business is replaced by a segregated cycle lane, she will lose her competitive advantage and customers will stop visiting. "I'll end up living in the street. I don't know why they didn't take this shop into consideration," she added, noting that despite contacting the council she had not received a response.
The council later confirmed to the LDRS that it would respond to Ms Dulal directly, stating that it does not consider changing tyres on this road to be safe under current conditions.
Café Owners Highlight Practical Challenges
Yaman Kaya, owner of York Way's Villa Café and a regular volunteer for Islington's Labour Party, worries that removing parking spaces outside his building will create difficulties not just for delivery drivers but for his elderly mother who lives upstairs and already struggles with mobility.
"I never felt the road was unsafe," Mr Kaya stated, arguing that the new designs would leave insufficient space for the lorries that pass through daily. He recounted a concerning incident where a truck spilled stones into the road that were then hit by passing cars, ricocheting into his window and cracking it.
Dursan Talbat, who owns Primrose Café on York Way, acknowledged that road safety improvements were necessary. His employee described helping a cyclist who had been knocked off her bike while attempting a left turn. "She was shaking and stuck in the middle of the road waiting for an ambulance for a long time," the employee told LDRS.
However, Mr Talbat noted that previous road redesigns had already damaged local businesses. "We used to be so busy when cars could park and stop by for takeaway coffees and sandwiches," he said, referring to the installation of existing cycle lanes outside his premises.
Cycling Campaigners Welcome Safety Improvements
Campaign group Camden Cyclists has strongly supported the new designs, which they believe will address the vulnerability of road users including children cycling to school and less confident cyclists.
"The junction currently sees around one in every five road users travelling by bike. There is a real need for better cycling infrastructure here," the group stated.
The proposed 'Circulating Cycle Stage', commonly known as a cyclops junction, would bring the crossings closer to layouts successfully used in Manchester, Cambridge and the Netherlands, separating cyclists from other traffic and providing dedicated signalling.
Council Assures Minimal Impact and Economic Monitoring
Camden Council has emphasised that the designs would have "minimal impact on current vehicle traffic flows, which has been demonstrated by traffic modelling". The Labour-run administration revealed that traffic counts conducted in July 2025 at York Way, just north of the junction, recorded a seven-day average of 8,600 motor vehicles and 1,900 cyclists per day.
The council also confirmed that the width of traffic lanes and number of parking spaces would remain unchanged, and should the redesign proceed, the Town Hall would monitor economic data to assess any impact on local businesses.
Councillor Adam Harrison, Cabinet Member for Planning and a Sustainable Camden, stressed that the proposals remain at consultation stage and the council is prepared to consider and respond to all public comments.
"Your voice matters and we're here to listen," he stated, while emphasising that resident and road user safety remains the primary focus of the new designs.
Speaking to the LDRS, Cllr Harrison added: "Over the past five years, there have been 15 collisions at this junction – and that is 15 too many. We want local business owners to know that we've carefully developed the proposal to be as unintrusive as possible."
He expressed optimism about potential benefits, noting: "There's much to be hopeful about - we've seen in similar rollouts across the borough that local business benefits from improved walking and cycling environments."
The consultation on the proposed York Way junction redesign closes on Thursday, November 20, giving residents, businesses and road users a final opportunity to voice their opinions on the controversial plans.
