Harrow Road / Ladbroke Grove / Kilburn Lane
Proposed Improvement Scheme from Westminster Council

Update Note 14th January 2016

All three boroughs now support the progression of the proposal to introduce pedestrian facilities at this junction through to a detailed traffic study. This will enable the potential impacts of the pedestrian facilities, such as increased queuing and effect on bus reliability, to be evaluated and mitigation measures identified. TfL have provided the funding for this detailed investigation subject to the study including an appraisal of potential bus priority measures.

It had been expected that by now the development and detailed design of the pedestrian crossing facilities together with the investigation of potential bus priority measures on this part of the highway network would have been nearing completion. However a key element in the development of the proposals is the traffic modelling which is used to assess the potential impacts of any changes in layout. Owing to utility works in Harrow Road it was not possible to carry out the necessary traffic surveys until early December. This has meant that the building of the traffic model has been delayed and will not be completed until March. The intention is to complete the traffic study report outlining the impacts of the pedestrian and bus measures by May.

There are a number of organisations involved in approving the introduction of the pedestrian facilities at this junction. This may take some time to agree and, if approved, a scheme should not be expected to start on-street until late this year / early 2017. It is worth pointing out that this time-frame would meet TfL’s aim to renew the traffic signal equipment at this junction as this site is on TfL’s 2016/17 Modernisation programme.


Update Note 19th May 2015

TfL have confirmed that this scheme can be funded through the Bus Priority Development Portfolio Programme and the scheme can start now with a two year programme from 2015/16.  TfL will be able to fund most of this work but do expect WCC to contribute a proportion of the cost of the scheme from its LIP Corridor Programme. On this basis instructions have been issued to WCC’s service provider WSP to commence the processes to deliver the scheme. A draft delivery programme and an initial cost estimate are expected to be available next month.

Whilst Brent have given their support to the scheme being progressed RBKC have raised a number of issues. These issues include:

• No over-riding safety case and difficult to make a case on convenience grounds
• High cycle time and limited operational resilience throughout the day
• Extent of queuing in Ladbroke Grove
• Developments in the area adding to traffic pressure

The above are currently being addressed and further discussions will be taking place with RBKC. RBKC consider that at the moment they are not in a position to take the scheme to their Cabinet Member and gain a positive outcome.


Update Note 5th March 2015

The feasibility scheme design has recently been the subject of a Road Safety Audit undertaken by TfL’s Road Safety Audit team. As a result of issues raised in the Road Safety Audit report the feasibility scheme layout (drawing number KU076000-PRDWG-0001-01 B) has been revised slightly. In addition the revised layout has also taken into account the comments made by the Kensal Triangle Residents Association.
The revised scheme layout is shown on drawing number KU076000-PRDWG-0001-01 C. The traffic modelling has been updated to reflect the current design. Overall the traffic modelling results are not significantly different to those for previous designs. The traffic modelling results indicate that throughout the day the junction will probably have to operate with a high cycle time at all times. At the moment the indications are that if the signals are to operate at / within capacity i.e. vehicles will pass through the junction on the cycle that they arrive at the junction then the cycle time during the peak periods could be 120seconds and 100 seconds in the off-peak. It is apparent that during the further development and design of the scheme the balance between pedestrian wait times to cross the road and delays to traffic, including buses, will be an important issue to address.
A meeting was held on 4th March with Brent and RBKC to brief and provide both boroughs with the information obtained by Westminster through the feasibility study, to learn their level of support for the scheme and to discuss how to take the scheme forward. Both boroughs were supportive of the intentions of the scheme. RBKC expressed concerns about the impact of the proposals on the queues and possible delays to buses in Ladbroke Grove. It was agreed that Westminster would produce a briefing note for the scheme that would be used by all 3 boroughs to gather Members’ views / approval to the proposal.

At the same time as this Member briefing is taking place Westminster will be producing a programme for the delivery of the project and seeking funding. As soon as possible the scheme and traffic modelling will be submitted to TfL Outcomes Delivery for audit, approval and preparation of the Traffic Signal Supplementary Report. Once this has been signed off, detailed design and the implementation process will then be progressed. As Harrow Road is part of the Strategic Road Network (SRN) early discussions will be held with TfL to ease the delivery process.